Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 0530 Benoit's Loft


You are awakened by incessant chirping of your commlink, the tone indicating the person on the other end is Raleigh. When you answer it, his voice comes through as far too chipper for this early in the morning. >>Say, Benoit, you up for some work? Got something I need your help with, and as a partner here, you should go out in the field once in a while. Head out to the shore. No, the lakeshore, not the Sound. Address provided in the attachment. You are to meet a man who will pass you an envelope. Bring it back to me, eh. Simple and sweet, right? Maybe not. Apparently several people have already died over the envelope, so make sure that you are not another one. Photo of courier is also attached. Questions?<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

He awoke to his Aguchi comm chiming, there was a quick flicker as his eyes switched from sleep mode to active and data began streaming through his field of vision. Diagnostics data, followed by a report containing biologic data, blood pressure, heart rate, and neurological response, it was quickly replaced by an amber time stamp.

<<05:30:27.09.06.75>>

A matte black arm snaked out from the couch, deftly avoiding knocking over a half empty bottle of Whiskey and a carton of Benny's Organic Soy Falafel, thumbed his comm and a raspy voice replied.

>>Raleigh, first good sleep in a week and I wake up to your toothy grin?<<

As he spoke to his partner, he stood up, the room was lit in dim amber shades, a shadow circulating the air through his living room, he found them, a battered pack of Szczepanski Slims. An addictive brand of cigarettes, as the mix of marijuana and tobacco encouraged the smoker to hold the carcinogens in his lungs until the thc's hit the blood stream, he lit the slim and took a deep inhale, feeling that hot spot on the back of his throat. Absently he wondered how much of his lungs were truly his, and not polycarbons, biofilters, or cloned dna. He blew the smoke out, up towards the antique fan that circulated the air through his apartment.

>>Playing courier now are we? I can meet you in the office if you want to face time the QA, but I need to know who we're dealing with, why the package is worth killing for, and who is doing the killing.<<



Author: Mercy Merchant

>>You bugger. If I had the information I would have given it to you already. I don't even know if anyone has really died, but I was told that by the man hiring us to bring it to him. You get the envelope and bring it to me and I will take it to the client. I could have used Jacob or, what's her name........oh yeah, Barbara. Bouncing Barbara of the rather large knockers. But I have a feeling about this one and don't really want to send either of the rookies out on it. You can take care of yourself as long as you aren't smoking too many of those fragging Szczepanski's you like. Those are going to get you killed some day, mark my words."

"Now, you need to be on-site by 0930 and the pass-off will happen before 1000. No envelope by then, you leave. You have a photo of the courier, but he does not know what you look like. It will be done by code phrase. You say the main line is clogged and he will respond that you should get a plumber. Got it? I ain't got much more that that from the client."



Author: Zen Gypsy

As he continued speaking with Raleigh, he pulled the address up on his mapsoft, and began to study the area. He memorized key points, access points, alternate routes and escape strategies, all based on the surrounding zoning, whether commercial, corporate, government, industrial or residential. He began to pull up transit reports, commuter feeds, weather reports, and atmo advisories so he could have an idea of what the day may bring to the area.

>>Judging by the location, I could likely take the tube with the rest of the wage slaves, wouldn't be out of place.<< He paused, considering the options, >>Unless you want to let me take the Americar, though that may be a risk based on our lack of information regarding both the client and the package.<<



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 0534 Benoit's Loft


>>Frag no, I don't want you to use the car. Not on something like this. You might need to go on foot and I don't need you to abandon the car. If you want, I can detail either or both rookies as backup or extra eyes, but I want you as the principal on this. Questions?<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

As he spoke through the sub-vocal, he began to slip on the micro-fiber kevlar body suit, zipping it up and securing it over the mounts and housings of his cybernetic limbs. He pulled on some military style cargo pants, found a full length shirt, white, collared, with a subtly inlaid circuitry pattern woven through it.

>>Nah, keep them out of the field on this one, too many unknowns. Though if you want to give them something to do have them run a background check on the courier, our client, and the meet location, have them send it to my comm. Gonna run to Primo's Kafe, grab a soy kaf and a krill currywurst sausage, then head to the maglev and make my way to the drop.<<

He attached his holster to the clip on the underside of his right arm, checked his Crusader II, made sure it was loaded with Stick'n'Shock, dropped a spare into his belt. Went to his stash, checked his Ingram X, loaded it with standard ammo, dropped it into a cheap briefcase. He took his gear, threw on his lined coat and walked out the door. According to the time stamp in the lower left, he still had 20 minutes to hit Primo's before his maglev departed.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Primo's is bustling, even this early in the morning. It is conveniently located and the food is decent. You get your sandwich and caf and make it to the maglev just in time. the morning commute is less crowded on a Saturday than during the week, but there is still a crowd of wage slaves heading off to earn enough to provide fore their families. The vista of the Seattle Sprawl flashes past outside the windows of the train, slowing only for each stop on the way. Eventually you are deposited at your stop and you can make your way to the area near the meet site.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Fully three quarters of the shoreline of Lake Washington is private property, the estates of the rich and the ultra rich. One can see some of the large estates from clear across the lake, but others are artfully hidden amidst the evergreens that come down to the water in some places. The rest of the shore is meant for public use, and KE makes its presence known in an attempt to keep the beaches and boat ramps safe. The result is a nice illusion of safety in a sprawl that has a justifiable reputation for being cesspit of metahumanity. The warm June temperature has brought out a veritable horde of beach goers and boaters that even a light rain cannot dissuade from having fun. Of course, where there are people trying to have fun, there will be other people providing services designed to make money from it. Food and snack vendors abound along the edge of the sand, giving the people a plethora of options. Just inland from the food vendors are the chic and trendy taverns and restaurants that also seek to separate the visiting public from hard-earned nuyen and scrip.

The rendezvous point is near Troy's, a popular food vendor just off the sand. Your instructions are to wait near one of the tables. You are a bit early and have time to look around before the meet.



Author: Zen Gypsy

As Bryce watched a tall man with a close trimmed beard, his wife with a light summer dress that didn't quite hide the synth-skinned lower left leg, and their two children lower a boat to the launch, he almost envied them their exuberance, their excitement, the normalcy of it all. As he continued to scan the growing crowd, he smiled, like many things in life, the closer you looked the more imperfections you saw.

At first glance there were those selling bathing suits, designed with hydrophobic fabrics, embedded with corporate logo's and trademarks, lotions and sprays that would allow exposure to the growing UV count, rebreathers that filtered pollutants out of the lake water, all the things that you would expect. His perfect Ikon-Ziess eyes picked up the fringe merchants, those peddling inhalers, narcotics, chips and worse, and even among this crowd, there were predators and there were prey.

He shrugged.

With his lined coat, he couldn't very well blend in to the crowd, he looked more like one of the outlying merchants or vendors. Might as well get it out of the way, he scanned the crowd for any sign of the courier, he kept the image that Raleigh had sent him open in the lower right of his field of vision, matching it to faces in the crowd. He threaded his way through them, looked at Troy's AR menu, floating above the establishment in hues of red and gold, perhaps to remind folks of sun reflecting off the lake. Saw an overpriced soy-cafe latte, selected it, watched the credits drain from his account, and activated his comm sub vocally.

>>Morning Barbara. Tell me what you have on this courier, name, SIN, employer, give me something to work with.<<

He sat down, tapped out another Szczepanski, noticed a waitress walking towards his table with his latte. He patted his jacket, like he was looking for something, looked up at her, smiled ruefully and spread his hands, the unlit slim dangling from his lips.

"Light?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 0854 Lakeshore Recreational Park Lake Washington


The normalcy is not entirely an illusion. Some of the people here really are having a good time. Even as you wander through the morning crowd, you see people staking out space on the sand that Governor Brackhaven has had imported in. Most of the people are here to celebrate a rare rainless summer day and families as well as individuals a flocking to enjoy the public beach. As the family finishes off=loading the boat you see a young woman heading off to the clothing optional section of the beach and her figure is almost enough to make you forget the meet and follow her in. Elsewhere, you can hear barking from the dog park just off the sand and see young kids squealing as they run in and out of the waves on the shore. The lifeguard station does not open until 0930 but that has not stopped several people from jumping into the still icy water of the large lake.

Troy's is really no different from most of the other snack shops set up along the line of sand, but it does have the advantage of having a cute waitress and you note that two thirds of the customers in line or at the small tables outside are teenaged boys who unabashedly ogle the young woman as she wanders past with drinks and snacks. Her figure is indeed worth a look or two and her tanned skin is set off by a pair of white shorts and a cropped men's shirt. Her long brunette hair is tie in two pigtails. As she approaches your table, she smiles like you are the only customer she is interested in. She places your drink on the table in front of you and nods as she reaches for a rear pocket of her shorts. "Sure thing. Haven't seen you around before. Now, enjoy the sun and let me know if you need a refill on that." She lights your smoke and puts the lighter back away, giving you another of her magnificent smiles before turning to go to another customer. You are reminded of a line from a song about how you hate to see her go, but love to watch her walk away.

Sitting and nursing the cup of surprisingly good latte, you scan the crowd. A ping on your 'link tells you that Barbara is calling in. >>Hey, boss, good morning to you, too. The courier is one Steve Jacobs. He is a wageslave employee of Ted's Courier Service, advertised to be the "Premier Personal Courier Service in Seattle". Married with two kids in high school.<<

Author: Zen Gypsy

He took a sip of his latte, the slim dancing between the fingers on his right hand; it's movement accompanied by the soft hum of the actuators that allowed him to manipulate the cigarette with such grace. He watched the waitress saunter back to her other customers, and whispered a soft, "Tres bien," and transferred a generous tip to her account. The smile reminded him of Iris, a memory drifted up, he tried to grip it, to hold it, but it was like trying to grasp smoke.

He sighed, keyed his 'link, >>I need to know if he's on the clock for this drop? I believe that we've been hired to received a drop from a courier who has been hired by a third party, but could Jacobs be doing this on the side, and affiliated with someone else? Keep digging, I'll take a look for Jacobs.<<

Keeping Jacobs image open in his field of vision, he scanned the crowd seeing if his Ikon-Ziess optics were able to match the facial features with any accuracy. As he did so, he flipped the tables AR icon to 'service' flagging the waitress over again, this time paying attention to her name.





Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 0902 Lakeshore Recreational Park Lake Washington


>>Roger that, boss. Barbara out.<<

Your facial recognition software works just fine, flashing from person to person in view, but Jacobs' face does not appear. Still, it is early and the meet is not scheduled for almost another hour yet. You do notice that several people passing by or seated at nearby tables look your way with curiosity. The AR icon on the table glows to let you know that your call has been answered and indeed, you see the pretty waitress coming your way. Most of the young men stop what they are doing to watch her walk and you see several make lewd gestures at her back, indicating to their friends something of what they would like to do with her. She apparently is oblivious of the effect she is having and her rather nice smile seems genuine enough as she gets to your table. You notice that the name tag on her shirt says "Rowena" in a flowing script. "Yes, sir. How may I help you? Would you like a refill on your latte?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

As she approached he scowled at the audacity of youth, ensuring that he made direct eye contact as he shook his head, subtly, 'no.' Her genuine good nature, and pleasant smile, dispelled his mood. He looked up at her, "Not now, perhaps later." He paused, looked up at her, a codial smile across his face, the slim hanging from the corner of his mouth, "Rowena, could you do me a favor?" he slid the picture of Jacobs through the AR from his PAN to hers, "a buddy of mine, Steve Jacobs, we came up together."

He kept it simple, vague, he could be referring to academics, corporate, or even military service, the less details the better he often found. "I was in town, heard he was going to be by the Lake today, figured I'd surprise him. You seen him around?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena smiles as she receives the picture then shakes her head after a few moments examining it. "No. I have not seen this man, but then it is still early in the day. I can keep an eye out for him if you like." It is hard to ignore her nice figure and her smile just adds to her overall appearance. There is a faint scent of some sort of perfume about her that vaguely reminds you of some sort of flower. Her cropped top is unbuttoned enough to let men have a nice but not too nice view of her cleavage as she walks and a bit more as she bends over to place something on a table and you imagine that she gets good tips. Her smile seems genuine and her attitude is far better than that of a simple wage slave working on a Saturday morning when she could be one of the beauties out on the beach.



Author: Zen Gypsy

*TABARNAK!*

The way the locals were staring at her, her composure despite the lewd comments and gestures. The meet was scheduled to happen close to Troy's, they had a god damn plant, and because she reminded him of Iris he was oblivious to it. He sighed, he'd been made; there was only one way to proceed.

Forward.

He needed to move forward; even if it was a trap, he'd played his hand, and lost. Now he needed to convince them that he wasn't aware that they'd cheated.

>>B., check the employee register at Troy's off of Lake Washington, look for a Rowena. Match to the attached image upload, if they don't cross ref, scan the Courier Service for the same facial rec. I think I've been made, going to play dumber than I already am.<<

He transferred 50 credits to Rowena's account, stood up, spoke to her as she walked back towards the service entrance. "Going to walk the boardwalk for a bit, want to surprise him; we used to prank each other coming up. Listen, could you do a vet a solid, ping my 'link when he shows up?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 0910 Lakeshore Recreational Park Lake Washington

The text from Barbara comes in quick enough. >>On it, Boss. If she is legit this should take no time. Hmmm. Looker, isn't she?<<

Rowena laughs. "For what you just dropped I would do almost anything." She looks over at you with a grin. "Almost anything. I will let you know if and when he shows up. Enjoy your walk; it is a great day to be out. At least until it starts raining."

You think you are used to the stares, but is one ever really used to small kids wondering what sort of freak you might be? It is different for most adults. They have lived in the sixth world long enough to know that people get maimed in lots of ways and those with money get replacements. But still..................

The boardwalk follows the line of sand from one edge of the public area to the other. It actually goes farther around the lake, but there are gates with various security measures in place to make sure that the local riffraff do not get access to the private lands held by the rich and famous.............and powerful. Barbara's text comes in at 0928. >>Boss, she checks out, at least on the surface. Girl by that name, description, and photo has worked summers at Troy's for three years. Maybe working to pay for courses at the U, where she is a student, according to the university roster. No sorority. No record. No real life. Just a normal girl.......but. She does not apparently seem to exist prior to entering college. Could just be clerical issues, but do you want me to dig further?<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

>>No, we've still got 20. Lets switch our focus back to Jacobs, figure out if he's on the clock for the courier, or if he is running biz on the side.<<

He continued to walk the boardwalk, hie Ziess eyes took in the crowd, but he didn't allow them to focus on any particulars, he viewed the Saturday morning Lake goers as a single organism, and as he walked through it, around it, he knew he wasn't a part of it. Probably never would be, he was still troubled that a young woman smiling at a chewed up piece of meat like himself, would trigger feelings of doubt, suspicion and paranoia. Still self reproaching, he watched the organism move and flow around him, as if he was a bacteria in an otherwise healthy bio-system. That analogy held true as the crowd parted to allow him to pass, to complete his patrol of the boardwalk circuit, familiarizing himself with the area prior to the meet.

>>Could be a cover, could be a girl trying to hide something from her past that'd exclude her from getting a Uni education,<< he shrugged as he continued, >>For the time being I'll treat the situation as though she is a plant, but B.?<<

He paused, considered the scowl he'd get from Raleigh, >>Put this morning down as O.T., you were supposed to be off today, yeah?<<



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 0947 Lakeshore Recreational Park Lake Washington


You are not quite back to Troy's when you get two messages. The first is from Barbara and if a text message could relay anxiety this one would. >>Boss! Something is going wrong. I was trying to dig into the courier company when their host went dark and ejected me. That only happens when a host goes down for some reason, so I do some looking and the host is gone. And so is the physical building. Some sort of explosion. Could be an accident, but be careful. I am trying to find out more and have sent a note to Mr. Raleigh, too.<<

The second message was from Rowena, telling you that your friend had shown up and was standing in line at the pick up window.



Author: Zen Gypsy

*Marde! Marde! Marde!*

Bryant looped through the throngs, switching back towards Troy's, as he did so he ensured that he was scanning the crowd. He wasn't running his facial rec, not this time, he was looking for approach vectors, tagging potentials in his AR to keep a better view on possibles.

If Jacob's employer just went down, he needed to keep an eye on that situation. >>B., patch the newsfeed through to my 'link, I need to keep an eye on the Courier situation. Have Raleigh send me co-ordinates for the drop, the package is going to be too hot for return to our office.<< He considered a moment, it didn't make sense that Jacob's was doing an outside job, at this point he had to assume that an interested party had just made it's hand known. He also had to assume that an extraction team was moving on Jacob's, a successful urban extraction required multiple approach vectors, an escape vector, a spotter and damage control.

The extraction team composition would depend on if their target was Jacob, or the information, probably a two man, three if they needed him for de-brief. Then there would be a intercept support team to dissuade pursuit, most likely a spotter, and he assumed that he knew who that would be. He approached Troy's cautiously, but with some haste, scanning the crowd for possible hostiles on approach vectors for either himself or Jacobs.





Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 0955 Lakeshore Recreational Park Lake Washington


The news feed pops onto your 'link and you center it on the bottom of your view, next to the photo of Jacobs. The feed shows you a burning ruin of a building and several emergency vehicles tending to the injured. A quick shot exposes several shapes covered in white sheets on the sidewalk. A scrolling ribbon at the bottom of the screen says that at least seven people have died in an unexplained explosion. The site is described as a local courier service. Police and fire responders are on the scene and more information will be available later.

Your perception pays off as you notice two men dressed appropriately for the location but acting completely out of place as they stand facing Troy's. Something about them clicks in your mind as you observe them.......this is the security team. Then, movement in the crowd reveals three men moving towards Troy's. These men are not dressed appropriately for the location and are moving in coordination. Perhaps the extraction team. Suddenly the term extraction seems a bit off as the three men open their long coats, swinging assault shotguns into the open. Without saying a word each man opens fire on the small crowd of beachgoers near Troy's. Several people collapse in a hail of shot, blood and body parts flying. The crowd disintegrates into pandemonium, stampeding away from the kill zone. Screams of the living mix with those of the dying and the men fire again, adding to the terror.

Author: Zen Gypsy

"Tabarnak!"

As he saw the three man team engage the crowd, he dropped low, moving to a ferro concrete retaining wall that ran parallel to the board walk, he dropped the briefcase, thumbing it open at the same time. He withdrew his Ingram X, as his left hand closed around the grip, the induction pad fed information for the weapons advanced sensor systems to his Ikon-Ziess visual link.

Distance and angle being the most important.

He calculated the odds; a five man team, minimum. Three heavily armed, two unknown, an extraction vector and transportation already prepared and most likely en route. He had limited time to engage, and they wouldn't want a prolonged firefight, not with this kind of exposure. As his right shoulder slammed into the wall, he dropped his briefcase, thumbing open the clasp, while his left hand swung into his jacket and retrieved his Crusader pistol, using the smart link he squeezed the trigger firing a three round burst at the lead gunmen's head.

>>B.! Situation, civilians down, five man elimination team. Engaging. Notify Knight Errant that I'm on scene, I don't want them tagging me as a hostile.<<





Author: Mercy Merchant

As you rise to take your shot, you notice several things. A man you recognize as Jacobs is on the ground, blood gushing from a wound in his side, He is in the arms of the pretty waitress, who is bent over him. One of the gunmen is saying something to his companions. You cannot make out all the words due to the screaming around you, but there is something about needing a code. The man you shot at takes at least two rounds to the back of his head and collapses to the ground, causing the other two to swing in your direction.



Author: Zen Gypsy

"ROWE! Grab him under both arms! Three meters to your left! Retaining wall!"

He thumbed open the briefcase, it hit the boardwalk beside him, with his right hand he grabbed the Ingram X, there was a slight thrum through the induction pad as his Smartlink connected to the secondary weapon. The targeting recticle for his Crusader faded as he switched the link to the Ingram, while checking the scrolling diagnostic feed indicated ammo capacity, rate of fire, barrel temperature, and rate of climb.

He didn't have time to switch it over to his Gyro compensated left hand, he swung the Ingram over his cover and sprayed multiple short tight bursts towards the two advancing gunmen.

"Move! Now!" He shouted to Rowe, he knew that the surpressive fire would only delay a professional unit for moments, but he hoped it would be enough to allow Rowe to get the primary under cover. This was going to get messy, fast.

>>Raleigh! May need that car sooner than later if you are anywhere near Lake Rec Park. Primary down, minimum five man team inbound. Fast!<<





Author: Mercy Merchant

Things are happening fast now, almost too fast to keep track of. The waitress, now covered in blood tries to grab Jacobs under his arms and move him, making it over the wall. The two remaining gunmen might be insane for opening fire on civilians, but they recognize danger when they see it, and the Ingram is danger. They move away from each other, shooting in your general direction as they dive for cover; one leaping behind the same retaining wall that Rowena is clearing and the other seeking protection from an overturned table. Their shots go wild, but add to the overall confusion in the area. You feel the sudden sting of bullets striking you and your mind factors that the two men of the security team must have fired on you.





Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant Champagne, aka, Echo (http://stormy-waters-2075.obsidianportal.com/characters/tc-bryant-champagne)
Initiative: 10(12) +1d6 Initiative Result: 13 (2 IP's)
Status: 0/15P | 3/11S Condition Penalty: -1
Defense: 12 Armor: 20
Edge: 5 Current: 4

The return fire impacted heavily against his lined coat, thankfully it hit him high right side, and his augmented arm took the majority of the impact. A quick glance at his scrolling biometrics confirmed no tissue damage, though force of impact seemed to indicate military grade weaponry and or ammunition. This day just got better and better. He watched the team's movement, quick, economical and practiced. He needed to end this quick, he was outgunned, and while the team moved with tactical precision, the fact that they took down civvies alongside their target conflicted with his own training, and marked them as both amateur and unprofessional. He needed to lead them away from further civilian casualties, while keeping them engaged on the biggest threat to their operation; him.

As the one gunmen moved towards the low retaining wall he had directed Rowe to, he cursed softly, and hoped his cover, as he ran his left hand smoothly ducked under his long coat, returning his Crusader to it's holster, and transferring the Ingram to his gyro'd left arm. In a smooth run, he rolled over the retaining wall, on his left shoulder, charging his right fist as he did. He came up low on the gunman's right side, he shifted his weight, driving forward and launching a vicious right cross towards his target's kidneys. Blue arcs of electricity flared across the matte black ballistic finish of his Shiawase Ronin arms, his eyes scanning for Rowe and the downed target over the gunman's shoulder.





Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1008 Lakeshore Recreational Park Lake Washington


As you leap over the low wall you hear the impact of more bullets against the cement and at least one round passes close over your head. Rowena and Jacobs are in a pile and the gunman on this side of the wall has dropped his shotgun and drawn a large pistol. pointing it at you. You stare at death, but his grin turns to a look of frustration as the gun fails to fire. Your shock hand strikes him hard and the man shudders as the voltage runs through his body. Not out, the man brings his pistol back to bear on you but is interrupted as Rowena throws herself on his gun arm, crying out in anger.

The security team has made it to the wall and both men open fire. You feel the bite of a bullet and see another hit Rowena in the arm.





Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant Champagne, aka, Echo (http://stormy-waters-2075.obsidianportal.com/characters/tc-bryant-champagne)
Initiative: 10(12) +1d6 Initiative Result: 13 (2 IP's)
Status: 0/15P | 3/11S Condition Penalty: -1
Defense: 12 Armor: 20
Edge: 5 Current: 4

He watched, with a degree of respect, as Rowena tackled the gunman's arm entangling it, and preventing him from getting his shot off. The security team, approaching from the rear clipped both him and the waitress. There was a soft, pffft!, as the round embedded itself in the wall behind him, Rowena was not so lucky, her arm now trailing blood.

"Get out! Get Jacobs clear, ping my 'link!" He spun, keeping the gunmen between himself and the advancing security, hoping that his body and his attacker's would shield the now injured Rowe. "GO!"

His Ingram, aimed over the initial gunman's shoulder, chattered steadily, it's suppressor muting the sound of his exchange with the advancing Corp-Sec.





Author: Mercy Merchant

"He's fragging dead! What the hell is happen...................frag, I've been shot. I.....I...." Rowena has been struggling to keep the gunman's arm down, but she seems to slide off it when she realizes that she has been shot. Your maneuver puts you slightly behind the gunman and you manage to squeeze off one burst before he slides away from the line of fire of his companions. Sadly for him, he is not quite fast enough and he takes a bullet to his chest, jerking as it penetrates his armor and burrows into flesh. One man of the security team returns your fire, sending bullets your way that come close enough to cause you to flinch. The other man pounces on the case that had been left behind when Rowena had followed your instructions to get Jacobs over the retaining wall and rolls behind some decorative planters with it. The other gunman calls out from behind the overturned table. "Whoever you are, this is not your fight. All we want now is the girl. How about you just walk away for 10K?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Staying behind cover, he sent a mental command through his AR, and the Ingram ejected the clip, with a swift motion he caught the almost empty clip, pocketed it, and retrieved a fresh one from somewhere inside his lined coat. He turned, looked at Rowena, whispered, "You are stronger than I thought, stronger than those guys thought, I need you to stay strong for the next ten minutes. This will all be over then," He blanched a moment, as the similarities of this situation and the assault on T3 hit him, a team coming for a woman, nominally under his protection, "I'm not going to give you up Rowe, just keep your head down."

He raised his voice to make himself heard, it was unnecessary given the sudden silence as the gunfire died down, but it did cover the sound of him reloading his Ingram X. "I'd consider your offer, but your team operates like street meat who got a break, got Corp backing. You opened on that crowd like a bunch of 'bangers, undisciplined, unprofessional, sloppy. You and I both know your team is moving into flanking positions as we talk, and if I took the 10K, you'd open up on me soon as I came out of cover."

He scanned the scene to ensure that he could track the movement of the remaining extraction team, "Counter offer, you could probably take me, but not before Knight Errant got here. You have the case, take your men, and execute your extraction plan. I keep the girl, and I keep Jacob's body, his family deserves an open casket at the very least." As he spoke, he inserted a fresh clip into the Ingram X, and fished an object out of his pocket.

He lifted the inhaler to his nose, fired a torpedo of Novacoke up his nostril, and tossed the device to Rowena behind him. Almost immediately he felt the a cold twinge race down his neural path, "It'll help deal with the pain."





Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1015 Lakeshore Recreational Park Lake Washington


There is no response from the gunman but you hear a low moan from Rowena behind you. Your body is on fire from the drug and the remembered feelings of superiority flow through your system. A man runs up to you and your heightened senses see the movement almost is slow motion. There is a surprised look on the man's face as your Ingram raises instinctively and you realize that he appears to be unarmed. Your finger tightens unperceptively on the trigger, ready to fire on the man.

Author: Zen Gypsy

With a conscious effort Bryant eases his finger back on the trigger, the man's approach did not match the corp sec's movements, it was almost erratic, panicked perhaps? He took the moment to ensure that Rowena was still low and behind cover and out of the extraction team's field of fire, though the Ingram's barrel did not waver from the new comer's center mass.

"Get the hell down or get slotted!! Who the hell are you, running into my field of fire?!?"

As he spoke, he stayed low and circled the stranger placing himself between him and Rowena, while trying to keep the fire team in his field of vision, in case they used the distraction to make a rush on his position.

>>Raleigh, I could really use that pick up, this whole op's gone to hell.<<



Author: Mercy Merchant

It is hard to describe the near sensory overload that you experience all at one moment. Your look behind you reveals that the bullet the had hit Rowena must have passed through and hit her in the side as you see a growing pool of blood near where she lies, seemingly unconscious. The fire team has left the area, leaving the two wounded men behind but taking the case. The man to your front raises his hands and stops. {color=blue]"Please, I am a doctor. Let me help the people that are wounded."

>>Hang tough, kid. Transport is on the way, but so is KE. Get out of there if you can. Do you have the package?<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

"Start with her!"

He pointed towards Rowe, he watched as the doctor began to administer to the wounded. Spun, looked for the two downed gunmen, approached the one whom he had connected with the kidney shot, before center massing a burst from his Ingram. As he leaned forward, he quickly searched his body looking for something like a commlink, anything that he could use to track down the man's crew.

He slapped his face, leaned close so the doctor couldn't hear him, "Your coughing up blood, I clipped your lung. You'll survive," he looked over at the doctor, "if I let him head this way." He reached a hand down, his thumb pressing against the chest wound, "Your approach was text book, almost disciplined, opening fire on the crowd though, amateur. Detonating the Courier's offices, that's big, that's loud, you drew alot of heat, K.E.'s on the way, and your employers don't care about rookies, if anything they'll send a time to extract and debrief. Me, I'll let you go out quick, clean, just tell me what I need to know."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1020 Lakeshore Recreational Park Lake Washington


The man nods and moves to where Rowena is laying on the ground, apparently unconscious. The gunman is in a lot of pain and coughs again, some blood flecking his lips. He nods. "Don't know nothing about blowing up anything. Hired to create as much confusion here as possible to get a case. Someone wants it bad. We were told to kill a few people and grab it."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant stared at the wounded man, continued the pressure on his wound, "I am going to need more, details. I need to know who wanted the case, otherwise I stake you out and wait for your employers to hire someone to slot you, let him do his job and then ask him the same questions. What was your exit strategy?"

As he spoke his face was impassive, his cold Ziess eyes reflecting the carnage of the scene around him, he surveyed the area keeping an eye out for K.E.'s arrival, while doing so he sub-vocalized into his 'link.

>>Five man team, two down, three in retreat, with the package. Courier downed, about seven civilian casualties, one may have gotten a verbal code phrase from the courier before he flat-lined.<<

"You've got ten seconds to give me your ops info, before I leave you for the corporate vultures who will inevitably be coming for you. Nine ..."



Author: Mercy Merchant

The man coughs again and grimaces, obviously in great pain. "You sound like some cheap trideo. Haven't got anything to tell so cannot tell. The man was smart about that. Didn't know anyone. Even the exit strategy was known only to the team leader, just in case one of us was captured. Fragging single cell system, he called it. So I guess you got a choice. Accept what I said and finish me easy, or don't believe me and turn me over to KE." He coughs again and more blood comes up.

You hear sirens in the distance and Raleigh comes on to tell you that the traffic is all fragged in your area and there is no way Barb will get to you before the KE arrives. >>Time to leave, kid. You did your best. Good thing I did not spend the advance because it looks like this op is a bust. Hey, what the frag? Shots from the outer office, kid, Gotta run. Back at you later if I can.<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

The hand over his wound made a fist, pressed down to the wound itself, he had hit him center mass, slightly to the left of his center line, he adjusted the angle of his wrist. As the man mentioned cheap trideo Bryant could only agree.

"D'accord," he whispered, his voice covering the small *chink* as a blade created of carbon nanotubes, extended from it's housing in his forearm, the 32cm blade extended through the man's chest cavity, it's laser etched, razor sharp edge travelling through his chest to stop his heart. Like in the trideo, life was cheap. He sheathed the cyber weapon, closed the gunman's eyes, and did one last cursory check of his belongings, looking for anything that would help him track down either his associates or his employers.

Once done, he stood up and walked over to where the Doctor was working on Rowena, "Condition?" He looked over his shoulder, the approached sirens concerned him, hopefully if detained his Shiawase issued SIN would hold up to K.E.'s scrutiny, but he'd prefer not to test that theory. Plus he wasn't sure he wanted his handlers to know that he'd been involved in this situation, whatever it was. He thought back to Raleigh's message, shots in the outer lobby.

>>B., I know you are snarled en route, but I need your current location. Situation is derezzing. Quickly.<<

He looked at the growing bloom of blood seeping through cropped shirt she wore. A rivulet of blood made it's way over her tanned skin to drip onto the cold harsh ferro-concrete she was sprawled across. "She'll survive, she's strong." He wasn't sure if he was commenting on her condition, or hoping, either way it was odd to him, to feel something, anything, for this relative stranger.



Author: Mercy Merchant

The man working on Rowena just shakes his head. "Touch and go, friend. I think she will live, but it was a near thing. I can't do much more for her here.......she will need to go to a hospital. Lucky you were here to help stop whatever those thugs were doing. Could have been even more dead. How is that guy doing, the one with the bullet in the chest?"

By now there are several other people helping with the injured and dead. The medic gives instructions to one of them to place pressure on one of Rowena's wounds and goes to another victim. Your 'link comes alive. >>Hey, Boss. Code three. Five minutes out. Pick you up at point Charlie. B out.<< Code three is bad. That was the code given by Raleigh that everything was going to drek and go dark. Point Charlie was the second alternate pick up location, but it makes sense as it is the nearest point to the beach that was off the direct routes and might have less traffic. Maybe the rookie had made a good decision. Anyway, it would take almost all of the five minutes to get there if you left now.



Author: Zen Gypsy

>>Acknowledged. En route.<<

He turned and made his way through the scene, think all the while that if the hit team thought that Rowena had heard the courier's verbal datalock she could still be in danger, the Knight-Errant response team would be close. But he needed to be able to contact her, he walked past the doctor on his wall to the retaining wall where he could recover the briefcase where his Ingram had been hidden.

"She's still in danger if the shooter's team thinks she has information relating to the courier," he slipped a white card into the man's breast pocket, "K.E. will release her after taking an initial statement, they'll secure, and contain. Not protect. Ping me, I'll need to know what med facility she's being transported to."

As he crouched over the wall, he dropped his Ingram into the briefcase, closed it, locked it, and proceeded to move towards Charlie. He hoped he'd been right about the doctor, a man who had the couilles to run into a gun fight to administer aid, well, he had Bryant's respect. He shrugged, what was done was done, he hoped he'd be able to talk to Rowe when all was said and done, but he needed to get to Charlie now. And after that to the office, to Raleigh, this whole thing had gone south, fast, and whoever was orchestrating the operation had already demonstrated their willingness to cause collateral damage.

He just hoped that damage didn't include Raleigh.

He vaulted the wall, dropped down over a guard rail and hit the ground running, he stayed low along the barricade as he ran south-east down Rainier, towards Southridge and 80th. His augmented limbs propelled him forwards at speeds that easily overcame the snarled traffic, he crossed the highway, doing a full blanche over a Leyland-Zil, as he hit the fero-crete his set and the explosive power of his augmented legs and their poly-myomer bundles propelled him over the far barricade, as he moved quickly towards the pick up and Barbara.

>>Incoming on Southridge 80th now. News from the office?<<

As he flipped his 'link to B.'s, he began to pull up news feeds from around Cavalier's Auburn office, hoping that would give them some indication of the storm that was heading their way.





Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1035 Lakeshore Recreational Park Lake Washington


Even as you clear the area you hear sirens heralding the imminent arrival of KE officers. Your scan of the news feeds yields a breaking story about a gunfight at a small firm called Raleigh Investigations. According to a KE spokesman, at least four people have been found dead at the scene. Their identities are being withheld at this time. Further updates will be given as available. Your text to Barbara goes unanswered and you wonder for a moment if something has happened to the rookie. Rounding the last corner you find that you needn't have worried when you see the car at the pick up spot.

Author: Zen Gypsy

Four down at the office?!?!

Bryant did a quick mental tally, the Courier's offices, destroyed at 09:47, initial contact at Washington Rec, 09:55, shots fired at Raleigh's office, 10:23. Three teams, assume a five man team for each site. Average contract for a five man freelance unit would be close to 15k, so this package, this entire operation was worth over 50k to someone, and whoever it was, they were willing to draw down major heat to ensure success.

Raleigh was a tough old orc, ex-Lone Star, he'd seen plenty of drek in his time. Bryant only hoped he was up to a four man team, but the timing was suspicious. He had heard, over Raleigh's 'link, the shots from the office. That was at 10:23, the newsfeed was reporting four down at 10:35, that was 12 minutes for K.E. to respond, and for the news feed to go live. That seemed fast even to him.

He breathed a sigh of relief, one that he hadn't been aware that he'd been holding, as he saw the Americar at the pick up point. He walked up to the passenger side and opened the door, sliding in he looked towards Barbara, "Bad news, four down at the office, shooting over Raleigh's 'link 15 minutes ago. Good news, it's Saturday, shouldn't have been any one there except for Raleigh." He paused, wanted a slim, could feel the Novacoke burning through his nervous system, making him edgy, the pain from the gunshot was a dull throb along his ribs. He knew if he lit one up in Raleigh's Americar he'd be out of a job, he held himself, for now.

"Office will have too much heat right now, K.E.'s on site, we go there, they'll have questions about Washington Rec. I don't know all of Raleigh's boltholes, but if we hit his apartment, maybe he has something there that can be of use, maybe we'll get a break and meet up with him. Saavy?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara is sitting behind the wheel of the car, sobbing. She shakes her head when you slide into the car. "No, Boss. Jacob and I were in the office, too. Raleigh called us in to help with the legwork while you were making the pick up. I only just left a bit ago to come get you. Jacob would have still been there. And poor Raleigh, too. Haven't heard anything due to going dark but I have been on the news feeds. Nothing, Boss. Just a lot of KE and the ambulances and all. And going to Raleigh's house might not be a good idea, either. If they came here, wouldn't they go there, too?"

Barbara wipes at her eyes and sits up straighter. "So, where to, Boss? I am still your support, likely the only support you have right now."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant started talking out loud trying to figure it out, "Don't know B., it doesn't add up. Someone hires the Courier to make the drop, different someone hires Raleigh to be the pickup. Ok, fine. So the two employers are conducting business, I can follow that, now our someone mentioned that people have died over the package so he knew that it would generate some heat. Shortly before the scheduled time of the hand off, a team hit's the courier's, screwing over the person, or persons, looking to get rid of the package. Then, our third party hits the drop off site, to secure the package, while at the same time hitting our offices, the people looking to deliver the package to a potential buyer."

He paused, remembered some of the chatter from his confrontation with the retrieval team, something about a pass code. "Now it's possible that the courier had info in a data lock that required verbal confirmation, he could have told Rowena in the confusion, she did try to drag him out of there. I think we need to eliminate that option, which means we have to find out the med center she's being transferred to, and see if we can speak with her. In the mean time, we need to ditch the Americar, and look for a hotel where we can lay low."





Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara nods and gets the car in motion. "Alright. Looking for hospital where the victim were taken to. Ditching car for another. Keep checking new feeds for information. Find Cheap hotel that does not ask too many questions. On it, Boss." She goes silent and stops sobbing as she goes to work on your tasks, leaving you to do your thinking.

A text comes in from the doctor who had been working on Rowena. >>Friend. Doctor Mayland here. The KE are all over the scene and are talking to everyone who might have anything to say, including me. Your description has been passed out to them by several witnesses. Apparently you are a hero for jumping in and are credited with keeping the body count as low as it is. The KE very much want to talk to you, but I noticed a reticence on your part and have not given them this code. Still, you might want to talk with them. Your friend was taken to Mercy General. I think that she will be alright, but there is still a bullet in her that could cause problems as it is near her spine and it will be risky removing it without paralyzing her. Thank you for stepping up when others cowered, including myself. Send something back if you want.<<

Barbara breaks into your thoughts. Boss. Interesting bit on the feed. Apparently three gunmen broke into the house of some Renraku bigwig and slaughtered him and his family a short while ago. From some things Raleigh was saying earlier, the guy that hired us to pick up the package was a Renraku suit. Coincidence? Oh, and it seems that the KE is sending all the victims of the beach shootings to Mercy General under guard. No names, but they might have sent your girl there."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant knew of a low end cubicle hotel, Ežerinis Luxury Cubicles, about an hour and thirty seven minutes from Washington Rec. He figured if he and Barbara were able to relocate there, they could get a dual occupant deal, and lay low while they figured out there next step. "Follow Rainer, then take us through Renton, I-909, you'll see a cubicle stack on the left hand side, by the turnoff. Pull in there. They will take a certified credstick, and they don't look to closely at the clientele. Once there we can monitor the feeds, figure out our next move."

Bryant figured if they could get holed up, he could start to make counter moves, the first would be reaching out to Mayland, and then possibly try to get into Mercy General, speak with Rowe. Problem was he'd get cornered by K.E., and if they looked to closely at his SIN, it'd be nothing but trouble. On the other hand, the opposition had taken out the courier, had destroyed the service's offices, opened fire on the crowd at Washington Rec, mounted an assault on Raleigh's office, and eliminated their employer. The body count was climbing, rapidly, and the expansive reach of their opposition was becoming more and more apparent.

"What the hell was the package B.? The cost of simultaneous teams operating independently of one another is incredible, I count at least four teams, plus operational costs, support, re-supply, and extraction. Knowing we were hired by Renraku is a start, once we hit the cubes, see if you can identify the exec from the K.E. report, public records, dealings, anything we can find on him."

Bryant was half way tempted to reach out to Renraku, but even as he contemplated that action, he realised how dangerous that could end up being. He couldn't be certain that this mystery exec wasn't trying to manipulate insider information retrieving a package that belonged to his employers, it would explain the large bankroll behind the opposition. He filed that away as he watched the Americar eat up the km's along 909, it was hypnotic, almost calming. But the crystal fire of the Novacoke still danced along his nerves, his body flooded with adrenaline, he needed to be out there. Doing something, but first he needed to make sure that nobody else was hurt in the crossfire.

He shook his head, turned towards Barbara, "Listen, B. Turn the car around, we're going to Mercy General, K.E.'s there with the casualties from Washington Rec, I'm going to talk to the waitress, she's touch and go, but she was the last point of contact with the courier. Once there, you're turning yourself over to K.E. for protection," he looked straight ahead, he knew the reproachful look she would give him, "B., you've done more than anyone could have asked you but I am not explaining to your fiance why he's looking at a cheap plasteel coffin rather than your smile. Make inquiries with them, Raleigh Investigations is above board, find out what happened at the office. I'll take care of the rest."

Unbidden a phrase came to mind, 'I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I conquered yesterday, and I survived today,' had to be something from his GIGR training, but it felt appropriate.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1115 Somewhere on the 909 Near Seattle


Barbara brings the car to a stop on the shoulder and turns to look at you. Her voice does indeed sound a bit put out. "Uh uh. Not good enough, Boss. Look, this is the first real job I got without having to show off my boobs or my sexual skills on a prospective employer's office couch or desk. Raleigh gave me a chance and I am sticking this out. Bob knows what I do, sort of. I don't imagine either of us saw this coming, but he will have to accept me in this role or take a hike. And you still need me. Who else is going to do your legwork for you? I have skills you can use. Now, do we go on to that motel or turn around and go to the hospital? Either way, I am not abandoning you, so you can get that thought out of your head."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He would have smiled, but the day had sapped his good humor, still, he could respect both the sentiment and the woman. "Something those prospective employers seemed to have missed were your couilles as they're called in the QR." This time he did muster a fleeting smirk, "Your balls. You still got that L36 Raleigh gave you?"

He paused, wanted to pull another slim out of it's pack, it'd been that kind of day. He sighed, pushed the fatigue down, put a lid on it and stared straight ahead. "Mercy General, if they make a move on Rowena we lose any chance we have, and even with, it's not something I'd put credits on," he paused brought up the route to Mercy from the 909, he kept monitoring the news feeds in the lower right, "When we get there, you talk to K.E., make official inquires about Raleigh and the office. I'll talk to a friend I made on the boardwalk, see if he can get me in to see our waitress."

With that he thumbed his 'link, fired a quick text message to Mayland.

>>Thanks for the heads up doc, brave man. I need to talk to Rowe, these bastards hit my office, may have flatlined my friend. I don't have time to talk to KE, not if I want to stop these bastards. I need to talk to our waitress, you need to get me into Mercy. I'll turn myself into KE when this is over, not before. You saavy?<<



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara nods. "Never leave hoe without it, Boss. And.............thanks." She puts the car into gear, turning around on the highway and heading back into the Sprawl. After a couple of minutes, you get a response to your text. >>I will do what I can, but KE are all over the place. Come to the east side of the main building and drive to the loading dock there. I will be waiting for you there. I will do what I can to work some interference for you, but you have to be careful.<<

Following the doc's directions, you drive along to the loading dock at the side of the main hospital building and see Mayland standing in the smoking area taking a break, a cigarette dangling from his fingers and some sort of coat over his free arm. Other than the doctor, the dock appears to be empty. Barbara lets you out, saying, "Off to talk to some of the guys in the front of the building. Good luck, Boss."

She drives off after you leave the car and you see Mayland toss the cigarette into a butt bin and wave at you. He hands you the white coat and talks as you put it on. "God, I cannot stand those things. Don't know how anyone can. Here put this on and I will take you into the building and over to her room. There is a KE officer outside the door, but I think I can get you in to see her for a few minutes. I took a look at her charts while I was waiting for you and it does not look too good. Two of the bullets she took just caused some minor injuries, but the other one is a doozie. It is resting pretty close to her spine and is primed to do some real damage to her nervous system, possibly of the paralyzing kind. Don't get your hopes up. She is lightly sedated, with some pain killers, so she might not be too lucid. So why is she so important? Can she identify the attackers or something?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

As he shrugged into the white coat, he considered Mayland's words, 'Why is she so important?', he turned to look at the shorter man. "Don't know honestly, maybe, doubtful. Possibly overheard something." He paused a long time, he looked deep inside himself, to the man he was before the incident with T3, a man he'd only read about from personnel files, and pieced together surveillance footage.

"I think maybe I want to thank her, she didn't have to do what she did. Bullets, they are a nasty bit of work. Meant for guys like me, guys who pull the trigger. Not for people like her, like the others at Washington Rec." As he followed Mayland down the corridor towards what he assumed was Rowena's room, he paused, took a pair of blue neoprene gloves off of a nurses crash cart. Pulled them on over his cyber, wouldn't conceal much, but it may let him blend in to the crowds of orderlies and doctors making their way through the halls.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1300 Mercy General Hospital Seattle


Mayland nods when you are ready and uses a pass card to reenter the building. He leads you through several hallways, telling you that all of the victims of the shooting are on the E Wing of this level of the hospital. He pulls up an AR display as he walks, flipping through several screens. The hallways are abuzz with people talking about the shootings at Washington Rec and other places, but you are not bothered, apparently accepted as being with the doctor. He turns down a hallway that has two KE officers at the entrance, nodding to one and calling him by name as the two of you pass them. A uniformed officer stands in front three doors in the hallway and another is at the nurses station in a small open area in the middle. Mayland takes you to one of the guarded doors and tells the officer that he is here to check on the patient and guides you into the room.

Rowena is sitting up in the bed, watching the trideo news feeds. She turns to face you and her face breaks into a smile as she recognizes you. "Hey there. Was not sure if I would ever see you again but thank you for coming. No one is saying much about what happened, but Mrs. Judith Calder's only living daughter was not born stupid. Are all of these bombings and shootings related like the pundits on the feeds are saying?"

The doctor has gone to the foot of her bed and is looking at the AR of her chart that is hanging there. He looks at you and quietly shakes his head. Rowena notices and shrugs. "Yeah. No need to sugar coat it for me. That thing says my career as part time waitress and full time student is about to come to a close because I will never walk again. Well, don't you believe it, because I don't. Just something else to get past and get around." She looks at you and you can see that more than a few tears have streaked her face recently. "After all, some people get by with good prosthetics, right? So, is this just a social call to check up on me?"

Author: Zen Gypsy

He walked towards the young woman, he tried to keep his face impassive, focus on the task at hand, information, survival, retribution, yet somehow her strength in the face of adversity touched him. He wavered. "That bullet was meant for me, I involved you in this," he paused, collected his thoughts, "I need to find who is behind the shooters actions, and to do that I need your help. Again."

He sat at the edge of the bed, tapped out a Szczepanski, offered Rowe one. "The Couriers office, shaped charges, Jacobs is dead, he leaves behind a wife, two kids. Seven at Washington Rec, multiple casualties, including yourself. An attack on my offices, another fire fight, more innocents dead. Lives shattered. All connected, all for what Jacobs, the courier, was carrying." He turned to look at her, seeing her injuries he felt the cold fire of the Novacoke race through his nerves, anger, guilt, his face cracked, emotion was there, just beneath the surface.

"I need to know, did he say anything to you? These are bad people Rowe, if you can remember anything, no matter how trivial it may seem, we might be able to piece it into a lead that will let me put them down."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena looks from you to the doctor then back to you, nodding, somehow getting past the insignificant to what is important. "Yes, he said something to me as he lay dying in my arms. I think he knew he was going and wanted to say it. It was a long list of numbers, some sort of code sequence. He held my hand as he said it then died. He did say that I was to get the number to someone. he said..............."

Whatever she was about to say is interrupted by several things all at once.

First: You receive an almost hysterical call from Barbara. >>Boss! Fuck! God damn fucking shit! I was talking to a KE sergeant when two vans pulled up and disgorged about a dozen men in body armor and automatic weapons. They opened fire without any warning, cutting down most of the KE guys at the door. They never stood a chance, but the sergeant got of a few shots, hitting one and knocking him down as he pushed me behind some planters. The gunmen shot him down and went into the hospital. One stayed behind, standing over the wounded man then shot him dead. Fucking shot his own man, Boss! You have to get out of there, now!<<

Second: Doctor Mayland receives a call on his 'link at the same time. His stunned expression indicates that he is probably getting similar news as was passed on to you by Barbara.

Third: The door to your room opens and the KE officer pokes his head in. "Sorry, Doc. Seems to be a problem. Some gunmen are heading this way. Please stay in the room." The officer shuts the door and you hear a fusillade of gunfire, some of it obviously from the KE guys in the hall.

Mayland looks worried and moves to the locked window, saying, "They are tearing through the officers and hospital security. Grab the girl and I will open the window." Suiting his words with actions, he slides his pass card near the window and opens it.



Author: Zen Gypsy

He moved quickly and with purpose, the cold, synthetic fire of the Novacoke races along his neural pathways, while his adrenaline spiked pushing him towards action. He quickly stripped off his lined coat, and wrapped it around Rowena's shoulders, securing the interior straps, and buckles to provide her with maximum coverage. He still had the polymer and kevlar micro-weave underneath his clothing, he slipped the spare Ingram X mags into the hip pouches on his combat pants.

As he turned to Mayland, "Doc, if those gunmen get through the door they won't hesitate to flatline you. We've lost enough good people today, you're with me." With the AR connection in his left hand he threw the floor plan of Mercy towards the Doctor, "Mark the path to Emergency and the Ambulance bay, we're going to need to get out of here in a hurry." He stopped, looked towards Rowena, "I'm sorry Rowe, this is going to hurt. Alot. You've been strong all morning, stronger than I had any right to ask of you." He slipped his arm under her legs, picked her up, tried to shut out the look of pain and fear on her face, "Wrap your arms around my neck, tuck your head into the jacket. Stay with me Rowe, let's make Ms. Calder proud."




Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1315 Mercy General Hospital Seattle


Mayland nods as he pushes the window open far enough for a person to get out. Rowena nods but still stifles a small cry as you pick her up but does as you say and wraps her arms around you. The doctor steps through the opening and takes Rowena from you so you can climb out then hands her back. As he moves down the side of the building he asks, "The ambulances are this way, but my car is closer. I can give you the keys and you have my comm code. There will be many people hurt and injured here today and I should stay to help. You can contact me when you are away."

>>Boss? Where the fuck are you? Are you OK?<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant hopped from the window ledge, the poly-myomer bundles housed in his cybernetic prosthesis was easily able to absorb the impact. He quickly transferred the young woman back to his arms, carrying her on his right side, keeping his Ingram clear he scanned the exterior for any sign of the security teams sweeping the facility.

>>Just cleared the building, outside the Emergency Department, East side, acquiring a vehicle from Employee lot. I'm en route to your position.<<

He followed Mayland's lead towards the employee parking, ensuring that he kept cover to his right so shooters would have a difficult time aiming for Rowe. "Hang in there Rowe, I've got you." He looked down at her face, pale and sweating, tried for a smile. As he got to the car, he used the Doctor's key's and opened the rear door, "A hand Doc?" As he and Mayland slid the injured woman across the back seat of his vehicle Bryant took a step back.

"I hate to hell that I have to do this doc, but get in the car," he took a ready position, "I know you want to help, but Mercy's got a full ER ward, doctors, nurses, paramedics. I have a woman who already took a bullet to the spinal cord, and if she dies, we lose everything we have to catch the bastards who did this, and put them in the ground."

He paused, locking eyes with the doctor, "Please, in the car, you were the first on scene, she's your patient."

He stressed the word, and Maylands personal responsibility.and connection to the young woman.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Mayland looks at you and nods, but does not get in the car. I understand your intent and applaud you for it, but I am not the doctor you need." He points to a small sign in front of his car. It clearly indicates that the parking space is for Dr. Lyle Mayland, Chief of Obstetrics. "I know a lot about delivering babies but squat-all about the problems she is facing or will face if I do something wrong. Do you want that on both our consciences?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

"Fine. Do what you need to do," he paused, looked over Mayland's shoulder, he could still hear the sound of automatic gunfire from the hospital, "If that team gets through K.E., if they look at the Security feeds, they will know you aided me in getting Rowe out of here. You'll just be another casualty." He got into the rear of the vehicle, secured Rowena's legs and torso with the seat belts, "Stay with me," he threw her a waning smile, "we're getting Ms. Calder's daughter out of here. Alive."

He closed the door, got into the drivers seat, "Get out of here Doc, get to your family, get out of Seattle for a week or so. Keep your head down." He started the engine and peeled towards Barbara's last known position.

>>Coming in hot B., sit rep.<<



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena is fading in and out and appears to be in some pain when conscious. She gives a slight smile and nods, but does not say anything as you buckle her in.

>>OK here, Boss. Lots of people fleeing the hospital and the two guys in the vehicles are just letting them go so I slipped past and am waiting for you on the street. We leaving the Americar?<<

True enough, as you round the corner to pick her up, you note scores of people fleeing the hospital and see Barbara waiting for you.



Author: Zen Gypsy

He pulled Mayland's sedan up beside where Barbara was concealed with the crowd, leaned over opened the passenger door, "B., Rowe," he indicated the young woman in the back seat, "Rowe, B. Now lets get the hell out of here, before our gunmen notice their target's been relocated."

As he spoke, he scanned the crowd looking with an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, for the tell tale triangulation of a security team on the sedan.





Author: Mercy Merchant

B jumps into the shotgun seat and nods over the headrest at Rowena, who has slipped into unconsciousness. Turning back to you, she says, "This the one you went to see? Looks pretty out of it. And badly hurt, too." She raises a finger. "KE on the way, Boss. I hope they get some of those bastards. So, we going where now? I would not put my money on the company safehouse being clear. I can look for a convenient no-tell on the edge of town. Maybe back to the cubicles you had mentioned. And while we are at it, just stop and swap spots with me. Your driving is lame and my fighting is, so we are doing the wrong thing if something happens."

Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded, and switched places with the young woman, he was beginning to have more and more respect for Barbara, she had guts and determination. "515 south towards Kent, then East on the 516, we'll come into Auburn via Covington. Once there, we'll head to my loft, I've got a trauma pack there, and some firepower that we're probably going to need."

As Barbara began to pull away from Mercy, Bryant turned to look over his left shoulder towards Rowena, her labored breathing, and the beads of perspiration on her face told him she was fighting through the pain. "I've got an emergency trauma kit at my place, it's got stims to help deal with the pain Rowe, but I need you to stay with me. Focus through the pain, push it to the side, concentrate. You've got information that was valuable enough for these bastards to risk a protracted engagement against Knight Errant. What did the courier tell you Rowe, once we have that tidbit, we can put these bastards in the ground and get Ms. Calder's daughter her life back." He paused, snaked his matte black cyberarm between the seats, took Rowena's hand in his cold poly-composite one, and whispered softly, "I promise."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1400 Echo's Loft Seattle


Barbara had driven carefully, switching your directions up a bit to be sure no one was following them. She even stopped in a Stuffer Shack parking lot for ten minutes, telling you that she was going into VR for a bit to see if there were any hidden watchers. Her trip is short and she tells you that it appears that no one has noticed you yet. Rowena flits in and out of consciousness but she smiles at you during a semi-lucid moment and tells you that the other man had told her something but she does not know what it means. She gets part of it out but shakes her head. "No, that is not right. Crap! just cannot remember too clearly right now. Sor........." She drifts off to sleep without finishing the sentence.

When you get to your place, B parks a block away and around the corner. "Let me go scan the area, Boss. Don't need you falling into a trap." She slumps in her seat as she goes back to VR and slips away to look at your place, returning shortly to give the all clear. "So what's the plan? Do you want me to stay in the car with Rowe or go with you to get stuff?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant shook his head, "No, stay in the car with Rowe, my gear is stowed in two packs, I'll be out in five. Once I'm back here we'll plot a course, and keep our heads down. Keep your Colt handy, this neighborhood ain't too friendly, if you get my meaning." With that he darted out of the car, he knew that Mayland's upper end vehicle would draw some stares, but most folks in this area didn't like talking to strangers, even corps, so there was that.

He punched in the passcode as he ran though the lobby of the converted warehouse. It was a decent pad, split into four units, lots of space. Owner wasn't a ganger or a dealer, paid his dues to the local protection racket, which reflected in the rent of course. He took the stairs to his unit two at a time, muttered an apology at 2B's door, Ms. Scicchitano was about 70 years old, but scarier than a troll when roused. It took his unit three seconds to scan his PAN, verifying his SIN and allowing him access. Once in he moved towards the upstairs loft, back corner behind the futon were two duffel bags, one with his HVAR and Praetor plus enough extra ammo to hold off a hit squad, and the other with his shadow gear, including the medkit and biomonitor he needed for Rowe. He shouldered both bags over his right shoulder, keeping his left arm clear for any gunplay that may be required.

He turned and exited his loft, not sure how long it would be until he was able to return to it. He took the stairs slightly slower now, so as to avoid rousing 2B, and to get an eye on Barb, the car and Rowe, to make sure there wasn't any trouble.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Everything appears as it should when you get to your room. I mean, they couldn't have gotten here already and bugged your gear, right? Right? Unfortunately, your stair tromping up to your loft did rouse the curiosity of the occupant of 2B and she is waiting for you when you come back out. "You got somewhere to go so fast you have to wake people? How many times I tell you to not run on the stairs? I have a weak heart, you know. Too much noise is bad for me." She continues to harangue you as you pass by her and head down the stairs. B has the trunk of the car open for you as you reach her and it is the work of seconds to dump the bags and slide into the shotgun seat.

"Where to, Boss? By the way, the news feeds are all over the incident at the hospital. The current tally of the dead is eleven KE, five shooters, four patients and eight hospital staff. Lots of injured. The rest of the shooters got away before the KE reinforcements showed up. The vans were found about twenty minutes ago but the shooters had transferred to other vehicles."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant crouched and crawled into the rear of the car, he opened his lined coat that was wrapped around Rowe, opened her blouse slightly, and attached the Bio-monitor, and refastened the lined coat around her, almost distractedly he wiped a damp lock of hair from her face. "Stay with me Rowe." He set the Bio-monitor to wireless, and as soon as he did, he began to watch her vitals scroll across the top right of his field of vision.

He stowed the duffel with the HVAR behind the driver's seat, within his reach, and brought the Praetor with him to the front. "Things are going to get difficult from here on out Barbara, K.E.'s going to be looking for their star witness, my description is probably being circulated as a person of interest, and we have a god damn kill team twenty minutes behind us. Things are looking worse, and worse kid. I made the offer earlier, last chance. You can walk, and I'll have nothing but respect for you. You choose to stay you're gonna have to pull the trigger on your Colt, it will come down to a 'him or me' situation. And it ain't easy, not the first time. You stay we're going to have to do questionable things to dubious people for good reason."

His face was impassive as he spoke, watching her reaction, part of him hoped she'd walk away, the Echo though, the cold, logical, killer, he wanted her to stay, her growing confidence, her skill set, all made her valuable to him. He had to decide on a course of action, but he needed to know the tools available to him, and use them like scalpels to clear away the opposition.



Author: Mercy Merchant

As you climb into the car, B hits the button to close the trunk and pulls away from the curb. Rowena is still dressed in her hospital gown, which has convenient gaps for someone to hook her up to medical monitors and you can attach the biomonitor to her. The information feed begins to scroll across the top right of your display and you note that her vitals are weak and you are advised to get this person to a medical facility as soon as possible. Barbara looks into the rear view mirror at you. "And so now you are an expert on the trix, Boss? I think......hold on a minute. Hey, Babe? Yeah it's me. Sure I'm OK, a walk in the park. Don't believe everything you see or hear on the trideo. However, I think that right now is a great time to go see your brother in Denver. Pack a bag and leave. In the next five minutes. I will see you there just as soon as I can. Yeah, love you, too, now go. Ok, Boss, you were going to give some directions to a safe place to stay?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He smiled, he was fairly certain she was going to tell him to stow it, and he was relieved to see that he was right. "Not at all, I would just rather muddle through than see you get caught in the cross fire. We're committed, won't ask again." He looked back at Rowena, then to Barbara, "B., she's in a bad way, and no matter what we do she has information that's the key to this whole thing. I've got an old associate, she used to work with me back ...," he looked down at his cybernetic hand, flexing the fingers as he spoke.

He couldn't remember the event, but he remembered watching the security feeds, the shaped charge, the detonation, his body flung like a rag doll, "... before I needed these. She was a paramedic, a trauma surgeon. She may be able to stabilize Rowe, but I have to tell her the truth I can't ask for help and risk heat being brought down on her and her clinic while leaving her in the dark. Then we need to get someplace safe, someplace defensible, and do something stupid."

He reached into his shadow duffel, pulled out his Sensei 'link, as it wasn't connected to his current SIN, and was therefore untraceable back to him. He patched it through on vocal, punching in the code for Aisha's comm. Aisha Chaka al-Baz, he went through what he remembered from personnel file as he waited for her to pick up, an Arabic paramedic and panzer pilot, who goblinized and was disowned by her Muslim family. She worked for Tetriault in Montreal, before the MCT extraction almost cost the company everything. She ran a downtown clinic, and her backdoor was open to certain clientele, for a price.

He had no idea if she would be available but he needed someone who could stabilize Rowena, and from her file, she had trauma experience, and no small degree of combat prowess.





Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1410 Driving Aimlessly Seattle


B nods in the mirror and drives as you get your call off, then her face gets more serious. "Boss? Things just got worse. KE just put your face on all the news feeds as a person of interest and is asking for anyone who sees you to call in. You are listed as "armed and dangerous". I hope this doc you know is a friend and will not sell you out."

Aisha answers on the third ring. >>Frag Bryant, I was expecting this call. What are you mixed up in? Your face is all over the news. It appears that KE wants to have a chat with you. Washington Rec, Mercy General, two other bombings? Are you hurt?<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

He looked at B., frowned, "Merde! Best guess Errant thinks that the crew assaulted Mercy to provide me with a distraction, and let me slip away with their primary witness." He slammed his fist into the plasti-foam armrest of Mayland's sedan. "Errant's going to come at me for a cop killer, this is going to get a hell of a lot worse before it gets better." As Aisha answered, Bryant returned his attention towards his 'link.

>>Aisha, thank's for taking my call. I'll survive, but I'm in deep. I've got a girl, more balls than brains. She's bad, bullet, spine. If you reach out, I'm bringing a storm of trouble with me. Say the word, and I disconnect.<<





Author: Mercy Merchant

>>Get her here, Bryant. I will see what I can do for her. Spines are tough. Is this the girl that mysteriously vanished from Mercy? You got any charts for her? Go down the back alley and I will be looking for you.<<

Author: Zen Gypsy

>>No charts, lets just say that the op was time sensitive. En route, and Aisha ... thanks.<<

He directed B. back out of Auburn towards downtown Seattle, and as they cruised down the 405, Bryant watched off to his right, the six black and silver towers that marked the location of MCT's Seattle Complex, like cold, metallic fingers clawing towards the sun. He monitored Rowena's vitals as he stared absently out the window, he turned towards her, reached a hand back towards her, "Squeeze my hand Rowe, stay with me kid. We're almost there."

He had the beginnings of a plan, but as with most, it was risky, and it would require exposing himself to significant threat and danger. If he could use the public eye, to draw their pursuers to him, in an attempt to recover Rowena, he may be able to incapacitate one of the gunmen, and gather further intel from him.

He nodded towards the back entrance, "That alley B., I'll get Rowe, you get my gear Aisha should be there to greet us."





Author: Mercy Merchant

B nods as she pulls into the alley and stops as a woman opens a door and motions to the car. As you unbuckle Rowena and grab her, she gasps in pain but does not complain. Aisha has a gurney just inside the door and helps you place the young woman on it and immediately begins attaching leads from a medical kit to her. A small droid hovers near the gurney and begins displaying data as soon as Aisha finishes. The doctor looks at Rowena. "I am going to put you under, OK?" She waits until Rowena is unconscious then looks at you. "OK, Bryant. Bad news is she is very bad off. I don't have much good new right now. I will need more time to be sure, but there is a very good chance that she will never walk again. What is her name? I cannot just refer to her as "hey you". Are you and your friend going to wait here? If so, there is a parking lot just around the corner."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He nodded, "Rowena Calder, listen Aisha, I appreciate this, but it may bring heat down on you, and I know what Alamut's means to you. I was watching while B., was bringing us here, I didn't see a shadow, and she's pretty keen to those things as well, so I think we're in the clear. For now."

He turned, looked at Barbara, took his duffel, "Hey B., ditch the doc's car in the public lot, may have to go a few blocks, cab it back here? I can't risk being seen, plus if a storm's coming, I'm the only thing that's standing between Rowena, and those guys." He hated, HATED, sending B., out alone, but he couldn't risk being made by someone getting back to the Clinic.

He watched as Aisha scrubbed in, "Hey, Aisha, what are her options? Spinal reconstruction right? She won't need to go ...," he looked at his own hands for a moment, considered what had happened to him, "prosthetic right, her legs are fine, it's just the god damn bullet." He sighed, "Merde! It was meant for me," another pause, "told you she's tough, more balls than brains."

He stood up, opened his duffel, pulled out the Praetor, found the military grade APDS, loaded a clip, shouldered the weapon and walked around the rear of the clinic. "You got any other patients in here, clients, staff? I'm not expecting trouble, but I am sure as hell going to be prepared for it, especially if I brought it to your door."



Author: Mercy Merchant

B nods. "Got it, Boss. Back in a bit. She drives off down the alley, leaving you with Aisha and Rowena. Aisha does not answer your questions until she rolls the gurney into a private room and sets up some additional monitors. Turning to you, she says, "Currently six patients and six other staff on two shifts. I would appreciate it if you did not go around waving that gun here. Fine if you are in this room, but leave it behind if you go walking about. Let's hope that trouble does not come here." She motions to Rowena. "As for your friend, I cannot sweeten it much. She is pretty fucked up. Her problem is going to be the nervous system, and I am not a neurosurgeon. I am not even too sure that I want to try removing the bullet due to the risk. Right now, she is paralyzed from the waist down and her upper body is feeling lots of pain. The bullet might move and do even more damage or move the other way and not do any. Anything done will be expensive, Bryant. Do you have the money to pay for the treatment I will be doing? I do not think so, but you have to consider that when you talk about spinal or nervous system rebuilds. Don't worry about my fees for now, we can talk about that later, but you might not get too much generosity for the rest of it."

She pauses to check on two of the monitors that had started beeping then turns back to you. "Can I ask what your intentions are about this woman? She will need a lot of care and help. It is likely that she will be bound to a wheelchair for a very long time. Are you willing to help her with that?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant slumped in the chair beside Rowena's bed, leaned his head back against the wall, the Praetor held loosely in his lap. Even with his eyes closed, trying to remember the past, a cold digital readout reminded him of his ammo count, barrel temp, and firing mode. There were times he felt more machine than man, and that machines purpose seemed to be violence, and destroying people's lives.

His eyes still closed he responded to Aisha, "I don't now Aisha, hell, you probably have a better idea of my next move than I do." He calmed his breathing, images danced through his head, long nights in his loft, files, pictures, 'link communications, "Since that bastard Parrilla put a 10mm through my skull, and brought the lab down on me, I can't remember anything before my ...", he turned his hands over, flexed the myomer bundles that comprised his muscles now, "reconstruction."

Out of habit he tapped a battered Szczepanski out of his pack, without opening his eyes, he noted a change in Aisha's pacing. Stopped. "Sorry," he brought the unlit slim to his lips held it there, "anything I know about that time is filtered through a corporate lens. Thing is, I read my Tetreault recruitment file, as written by Constantineau. Remember him? Fat bastard." A half smile. "Co-dependency markers is what it read, he profiled me, wanted me to fall for Iris, to protect her, hell, maybe I'm still trying too. Thing is, maybe I have a type, maybe I feel I need to save someone, prove my worth to them," another pause, he thought of his last psych counselling session, ", to myself."

He paused again, opened his eyes, looked towards Rowena, "Aisha, nobodies ever tried to save me before, not without wanting something out of it. She jumped a gun for me, took a bullet because ...," he looked Aisha square in the eye. "That's a debt a man can't pay, but I'll damn well try."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1510 Aisha'e Clinic Seattle


Aisha looks at you closely and purses her lips. "Whatever you do, do it for the right reason. From how you describe her, she will probably not want your pity. OK, now, are you going to stay here or go away while I work on her? She might like some friendly company when she wakes up, but I know that you might have things to do."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He nodded, "Debt and obligation, eh? Neither's pretty, not in the end. Part of me wants to be here when she wakes up, the other part though, doesn't want to think about the heat that'll bring down on you and yours."

He leaned forward in the chair, held his head in his hands and thought. "Ok, question. You do biosculpt in this place, Aisha? Without getting into the time and effort to perform another procedure, think we could get B., done up to look like Rowe there? She's ditching the car as is, we wander out of here, B., wrapped in my coat, looking like Rowe there. We leave your clinic the way we came, then make sure we get our faces on the grid, hopefully they'll be distracted enough trying to take us down, that they overlook your clinic."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Aisha shakes her head and gives a tsk, tsk. "I am surprised, Bryant. That is not much like what I remember of you. This B, is that the other woman? The one driving you? You would directly risk her life in this manner? But if she wants, yes, I can do the biosculpt, but it is not just a wave of my hand sort of thing and would require some time here, especially if she is to look like this woman. Make sure that you ask her because I will not do this thing unless she is very willing and tells me so. In the meantime, just relax. If you were careful, you will bring no "heat" down on me. Now go into that bathroom there so I can get a technician in to help prepare this woman for some serious surgery. I will let you know when it is safe to come out. We will see just what sort of fighter you have brought me, eh?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He shrugged at Aisha's comment, "Things change, but B.'s tough, she wants to help, I gave her the opportunity to walk away, twice now. If I can end this, put the people who did that," he pointed towards Rowena, "in the ground, then I will."

He walked into the bathroom, leaving Rowena the privacy she needed as Aisha and her surgical team prepped her. He began to monitor the feeds, sifting through the days events, of specific concern for him was the assault on Raleigh's office, reported casualties, and the K.E.'s person of interest.

>>B., you ditch the car yet? I need to talk to you, face to face, I have a big ask.<<



Author: Mercy Merchant

>>Taking the long route back, Boss. Ought to be there in three or four minutes.<<

The noises in the room last a few minutes then die off as you hear someone roll Rowena out of the room. The news feeds are full of the events of the day. The news from Raleigh's office is not good, as they identify the body of a company associate investigator and the woman who came in on occasion to water the plants. The other two bodies remain unidentified. The names of several people from the other attacks are announced, but none of the gunmen left dead are identified. Your picture is flashed on the feeds several times, along with your name and a number for people to call if they happen to see you.

Author: Mercy Merchant

Your reverie is interrupted. >>Might have a problem, Boss. I might have been made. I was passing a guy and noticed him staring at me as if trying to place a face. Then I saw him again when he turned around and started following me. I am currently leading him away from the clinic and will do my best to keep you safe. I will keep you updated.<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

As soon as he got the B.'s message across his 'link, he pulled up a street grid of the area around Aisha's clinic. He scanned it carefully, placing the Praetor back in his duffel, as he walked through the room where they had prepped Rowena, he picked up his lined coat and shrugged it back on.

He zoomed in, surveyed the area she was walking though.

>>B., circle back across 3rd Ave, cut down 110 SW St, there's a blind alley to your right. I'll meet you there.<<

Aisha was in surgery, she could be some time. But B. could be in danger now, and he felt useless just waiting.





Author: Mercy Merchant

>>Yeah. I am already past that one and did not think about it until too late, Boss. Still, there is another opportunity about four blocks farther along. I can lead him there. Be careful that you are not seen. Anyone out here will be your enemy for the reward KE is offering. I can handle this if you let me.<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

He sighed, he weighed Aisha's words that he was using, even risking people, against Barbara's determination, and assurances that she could do what was required. He paced back and forth in the short hallway that they had entered at the rear of the clinic.

>>You're right Barbara, you've got this, I'm at the clinic. Be careful, if it's a random civilian whose made you, he might just be curious. If it's part of a team, he'll be herding you towards them, be cautious, if he drops off, eyes open for another tail. Feed me your position, so I can plot an intercept if you need backup.<<

He thought back to Rowena, debt and obligation. He leaned his head against the cool hallway wall, closing his eyes he watched B.'s position on the downtown map grid, trying to visualize the opposition.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1530 Aisha'e Clinic Seattle


You can keep tabs on Barbara as she feeds you updates on her position and track her turning into an alley and stopping just behind what your grid map says is a warehouse. A few minutes later you get a message. >>Well I feel a bit dumb, Boss. Turns out the guy had noticed my....um, chest as he walked towards me and my ass after I passed him. He was just following me to get a good look of my behind from behind. I scared the piss out of him. On my way to the clinic.<<

You are very much into what is going on with Barbara, but no so much that your senses are turned off. You hear soft footsteps behind you just as Aisha speaks. "Hey, Bryant. You must really care about this girl. I am sorry for being a bit brusque earlier. So, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that I got the second bullet out and have patched her various wounds up. With the miracles of modern medicine, she will not be bothered by those any more. The bad news is that I can do nothing about the bullet near her spine. That I have to leave for either an expert or time. And time is not on her side in this case. Currently, she is paralyzed from the waist down and will be unable to walk or really take care of herself. I think she is a fighter, which will help a lot, but she will need help. A lot of it."

An orderly passes by you, pushing Rowena's bed back into her room. The unconscious girl looks amazingly pretty and you remember the looks she was getting at the food stand. After they pass, Aisha turns back to you. "You should leave if you are not going to take care of her, Bryant. No, I am serious. She will do much better with a friendly face, but that will only turn worse if you give her any sense of false hope. I cannot keep her here longer than a day or two as she recovers from the surgery, and she will need someplace to go. If you just leave, the impact will be less than if you stay and then leave her, and she does not need that sort of emotional issue right now. If you really care about her, you will stay here and let her see your face when she wakes up in about a half hour then tell her that you will take care of her. But tell her the truth; if you lie to her I will cut your balls off and stuff them down your throat. Your call."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He looked towards Aisha, held her gaze. "You can choose to believe me or not, it doesn't affect me one way or another. She's in that bed because she made a choice," he paused, narrowed his eyes slightly, "she chose to risk her life for mine. No other way to say it, now, it wasn't the smartest move, and it cost her." He shrugged. "Hell, maybe I'm not worth saving. Don't matter though, I'm not turning my back on that. There's circumstances though ..."

He paused, looked up and down the hallway, pulled Aisha to the side and whispered conspiratorially, "I was at Washington Rec to meet a courier. Minutes before the meet the office said courier works out of explodes, said courier gets geeked by the gunmen. Not before he can pass data to Rowe, verbally. Less than ten minutes later, the office I work out of gets hit by armed men. Rowe gets herself transferred to Mercy, a ten man extraction team shows up and gets into it with Errant trying to snag her."

He paused, squeezed her arm to emphasize his words, "Whatever he told her puts her in the line of fire, puts whoever is helping her in the line of fire. You say the word and we're gone, if you are going to play den mother, if you think you can keep her here, keep her safe, I have a plan that could do it. Barbara would need to agree to the biosculpt, but I need to know what Rowena heard, then I need a few days to work the case, and put these bastards in the ground. I come back Rowena's in the clear, and I can help her deal with the shit hand she got dealt."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Aisha looks at you for a bit then nods. "OK, Bryant. Let's say that I believe you about how important this girl is to someone. I am just not sure that I can do what you are asking. First, I think I can only keep her safe here for a couple of days, tops. Someone will say something to someone else and then someone else and then pretty soon the wrong people hear about it. As for biosculpting your friend, besides the moral implications that spring to mind, there are other issues. My skill might be good enough if I were in a good hospital with modern monitors and equipment, but look around you. You might not be able to tell the difference, but this is not a real hospital, it is a street clinic. My instruments and equipment are patched up obsolete models. I could change her face, sure, but to make her look like this girl, I would need more time than I think you have here." Aisha shakes her head. "No, Bryant, I do not think I can help you that much."

"But I can help you a bit more. I can let you have my car and I can give you the address of someone who might be willing to help you if I asked. He owes me big for something I did for his son a couple of years back. He lives in the Barrens and runs a small gang there. He might be able to put you and your friends up for a bit and maybe even help you strike back at whoever did this. Rough guy, but loyal. Interested?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded as he listened to her analysis, "Truthfully doc, the decoy was a long shot, this whole thing has been snafu'd from the get go, and I figured a decoy was the best bet of drawing out the shadow players, and getting answers."

He listened as she spoke of a friend in the Barrens, it wasn't ideal, it meant exposing Aisha to further involvement, meant more people could end up getting hurt. It wasn't ideal, but there were advantages.

He nodded in agreement, "As long as he has got the data on what offering assistance to us could do to him, and his crew. If these guys come for us there's going to be collateral no matter how we're holed up. Being in the Barrens limits unintended consequences, but anyone close to Rowe, B., and myself is putting themselves into a crossfire, unless we can get this whole thing nailed down quickly."

He looked at her face, her dark eyes solemnly, he remembered reading that in one op with Tetreault, she had risked exposure to return fire to pull him from cover when he had an 11mm round lodged millimeters from his femoral. Seeing her face now, he could believe it. "Thanks Aisha, I'll find a way to cover your cost on this, and I'll do my damnedest to keep you, and the clinic, out of the crossfire."

>>B., what's your ETA, we've got a plan, our patients off of the table, but we'll need to leave. ASAP.<<

"Once she wakes up, get her ready for transport. Point us towards your car, gimme five minutes, then report it stolen. Saavy?"




Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1535 Aisha'e Clinic Seattle


Aisha shakes her head. "She really should not be moved so soon, but I understand the urgency. I will contact Vlad and see if he can take you in. Why don't you go into her room and wait for her to wake up. It will do her some good to see a familiar and friendly face." She turns and leaves, walking away down the hall. B calls and tells you that she is about five minutes away. Inside the room, you see Rowena laying on the bed with the sheet pulled up to her chest. Her face is calm in sleep, as if completely unaware of the storm that has exploded around her.



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant reached out, took Rowena's hand in his, various tactile sensors in his poly-carbon and myomer hand simulated the sensation of touch. It felt as though he was holding a bird, it was vibrant, alive, but so delicate and fragile. He leaned forward, closed his eyes, accessed the wireless feed on Rowe's bio-monitor, watched the information scroll across his field of vision. He breathing was regular, as was her heart beat, th-thump, th-thump, rhythmic, steady.

For whatever reason, he took some small measure of joy in that, despite the chaos that had surged around her, she had survived.

"When I hit the Rec this morning, you were so ...," he paused, whispering so as not to disturb her, he knew he was talking, didn't know why, didn't stop either, "... alive, so vibrant. The way you treated folks, treated me, the smile. The energy." His lips turned up at the memory, "I thought it was fake, at first. Thought you were fake, a plant, there to distract me." He sighed, "Sometimes I feel like I'm just a memory, an echo, of someone else, someone who's already passed on. And there you were ..."

He wasn't sure who he was talking for, her, him, or the him he had used to be ... before.

"When the gunmen hit, you tried to save me," he opened his eyes now, looked at his hand, his thumb was moving of it's own accord, gently travelling back and forth across the back of her hand, "took a bullet for me." He paused, "I told Aisha that that's a debt a man can never repay, but it's more than that." A deep breath, "I was scared. In the middle of the fire fight, I got scared. Not for me ... not for my associates ... my friends. I got scared for you. A stranger."

He looked down at his own arm, cold, matte black, poly carbon, and housed within a carbon steel laser edged blade. "I killed one of the gunmen today, put him down, and didn't feel anything. I watched the light fade from his eyes. It meant nothing. But you ...," he turned his head, looked towards her beautiful face, peaceful, calm, radiant, "seeing your blood on the boardwalk. On my hands."

"I need you to pull through this Rowe."

"Please ..."

Author: Mercy Merchant

The soft hand in your metallic one gently squeezes your fingers. Your eyes are drawn to hers, which are fluttering open, her bright blue eyes focusing on you. "You say the nicest things. Of course I am not going away. Apparently I might have trouble keeping up with you for a while, though. I cannot feel my legs so the operation must not have worked. But worry not; Mrs. Calder's oldest daughter has never let something like this get in the way before and does not intend to now. I will pull through..................and I will walk again, although it may take a while. Thank you for saving me. Twice. I am not entirely sure of what happened at the hospital, but it seemed that we were being attacked and you carried me away." She looks about the room. "This is not the same room, and the equipment here is older. Where are we?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He looked up, looked into her eyes, "Seattle, Downtown. A trauma clinic staffed by a friend from my ...," he looked down at the contrast between the matte black ballistic poly-carbon and her smooth, tanned hand, "past. Aisha al-Baz, she's the one who stabilized you, spine and nerve reconstruction will have to be on going."

He paused, slowly slid his hand out of her grip, stood up, looked down the hallway, checked B.'s location, then turned back to Rowena. "Before we can focus on the long term, we need to be concerned with the here and now." He walked back towards her bed, rested his hand on the bed side, "al-Baz has some Barrens connections, a corporate team won't be able to move through gang territory without drawing attention, we can exploit that."

He took a deep breath, leaned forward, held her gaze, "Rowe, Jacobs told you something. It may be our only weapon against these bastards. Anything you remember ...," he took her hand again, squeezed it encouragingly, "anything ..."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena smiles as she lifts a hand to run it along your forehead. "I guess you don't know, and how could you? I never forget anything. Some bit of something in my brain when I was born. Funny, really, when you think about it."

"So, Jacobs was his name? Poor man. He took my hand and told me to try to remember what he was going to tell me. I do not know what it is that he told me, but he seemed to think it was important. He made me repeat it twice then asked God to look out for his wife and kids and died in my arms. What am I mixed up in?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant frowned, snapped back to reality by her question, "Problem is, we're in the dark. Barbara and I work with Raleigh Investigations, a private investigations firm, we were hired to secure a drop off by courier. That's why I was at the Rec this morning, Jacobs was my contact. Prior to the meet his firm got hit, hard, in the downtown core, then the extraction team hit the Rec, they got the physical package but not before he gave you something ... a phrase, a keyword ... might mean that package is datalocked."

He continued pacing the small room, "After the extraction attempt, I spoke to one of the gunmen. He said they were hired in cells, contractors. Shortly after our offices were hit, and I still don't know what losses we suffered." God! He wanted a slim, he needed it, he hated being in the dark. He didn't know the who, the how, or the why, and it was starting to piss him off. "Barbara and I moved to Mercy, anticipating that the team would try for you, based on your limited interaction with Jacobs. During your transfer a corp exec was hit in his residence, both B., and I, feel it may be related. We got to Mercy just in time, a second extraction team, this time, a ten man, was engaged with Errant, we managed to get you out with a little inside help. Aisha kept us off the grid for now, but we have to move, our presence here, puts both her patients and staff at risk."

He looked at Rowe, down at her bright eyes, sighed and continued. "Listen Rowe, you've done enough. I've put you at risk, and I have no right to ask anything more of you. And yet ...", he grimaced, "... I have to. We're going to need to move you. I can't expect anyone else to deal with the heat that's coming down on us right now." He took a deep breath, reached down and squeezed her shoulder gently, "If I was halfway across the sprawl and heard wherever we'd secured you just got hit I ...," he shook his head, "I can't trust anyone else to keep you safe, and until we get out from under this thing, whatever it is, you're going to have to trust me."

He looked at her, his game face faltering, if only for an instant. The crack revealing concern, uncertainty.

"Can you do that?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1540 Aisha's Clinic Seattle


Rowena gives a weak smile and uses her arms to push herself to a sitting position. "You have saved my life twice and you ask if I can trust you? Of course, it would be nice to know the name of the man I am supposed to trust. And I gather that Barbara and B are the same person? He gave me what I think is some sort of code, either that or he was just mumbling gibberish. I can repeat it if you like, but I have no idea what it means. What do you want me to do? It sounds like some pretty bad guys want what is stuck in Mrs. Calder's daughter's head. Do you want me to be bait so we can draw them out?"

She looks closely at you and adds, "I am going to beat this being paralyzed crap, one way or another, but it seems it might take a while and I do not want to be a burden to you. It seems I will need to take a break from waitressing and school, but you do not need to...............well, you know............................"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Even Rowena had to blink, did he really just look, embarrassed?

"Bryant. My name's Bryant." His first instinct was to tell her Benoit, but he knew that would have been a lie, and somehow, he felt the need to let her see beneath the mask. "As for my plan, originally I was going to have B., yes, that's Barbara, another of Raleigh's employee's, and a lot more competent than I gave her credit for, impersonate you. Leak our info to the media, to Errant. get their attention."

He looked at her, nodded slowly, "When B., gets back I need you to info dump what he told you, maybe she can make a connection that's eluding us. Then we need to talk to Aisha's Barrens contact, if he's willing to provide cover for us. I don't want to formulate a plan that puts him at more risk than he's comfortable with."

As he spoke, he checked Barbara's position, relative to the clinic, if only to ensure that she hadn't run into any trouble.

>>B.? ETA? Rowe's awake, and may have some info that will help us find a way out.<<



Author: Mercy Merchant

"Right behind you, Boss." Barbara moves into the room and you cannot help but notice that her "these-ought-to-be-registered-and trademarked-boobs" are moving easily under her shirt. The things a man will notice at the oddest times. She moves past you to the bedside and extends a hand. "Hey. I am Barbara, but you can call me B, if you like. I would guess that you are Rowena."

Rowena smiles back. "Hello. I have to say that I do not like the idea of you pretending to be me to lure out the guys that want me. I will be doing that if anyone is. Besides, I don't know if you could pull off the cripple in a wheelchair bit as well as I can."

Barbara turns to give you a look then back to Rowena. "You live on Preger Circle?" At Rowena's nod and troubled look, B adds, "Boss, we may not have time to do the nicey-nicey with the Barrens guy. Someone just blew up a house on Preger Circle. So far, it does not appear that there were any casualties other than the building. Still, I think whoever is behind this is making a statement that they know who she is and that they are willing to do violence to get her."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He nodded as B. spoke, considering their options. "They need her to come in, they need the code she has, but they haven't given her a way to reach out. To turn herself over ...," he paused, "Any luck on the corp exec? Any connections to our employer, or the courier's? We need something to crack their anonymity, they're wearing it like armor."

He continued to pace around the small room, until finally he poked his head into the hallway, waved Aisha back in. "We'll take you up on your offer, for the car, and for the contact with ... Vlad you said? Normally I'd tell you to give us twenty then report the car stolen, but if our anonymous extraction teams decide the stolen car is related, they could end up coming here." He paused, looked concerned, "And neither of us want that to happen."

He pulled Aisha aside, to a private corner of the small room, he spoke in a low whisper, "I owe you big, and if you know anything, you know I always pay my debts." He nodded towards the bed, "Is there anything we should be looking out for as we transport her, antibiotics? Pain killers? The next few hours are going to be rough, I know that. I want to minimize her exposure, but I need to protect her too, and the only way to do that is to end this."



Author: Mercy Merchant

OOC: I am very sorry. I was away for the weekend. The cabin was supposed to have internet access, but did not.


Saturday 9 June 2075 1550 Aisha's Clinic Seattle


Aisha nods. "I am getting a small bundle of meds that you will need to give her. Instructions will be in the bag. I will make sure that Vlad knows you are coming and ask him to have someone bring the car back. You know there is an alternative, right? Just turn yourselves in to the KE and let them help."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant accepted the bag from Aisha, and nodded at her comment in regards to Errant. He looked towards Rowena and Barbara before responding, addressing them as much as the doctor herself. "Don't think the thought hadn't crossed my mind, but it becomes a question of viability. Whoever these people are, they have a large pool of resources to draw on. Financial for sure, and perhaps even political and corporate as well."

He paused, looked specifically at B., as they had discussed this earlier in the day, "It appears that they were able to eliminate a corporate executive in his private residence. We don't know how far their influence or connections run, they were willing to storm Mercy with a full one assault crew. We don't know if Errant would have been able to stop them, or if they withdrew because I managed to get Rowe out. If we turn ourselves in, I can't reasonably expect Errant to protect me, especially when they could be compromised by the same people trying to extract the information from Rowe herself."

He scanned the room, looking at the three women who were struggling through this situation with him, "B., Rowe, if you feel that turning ourselves in to Errant is the best course, then I'll back the play, despite my own misgivings."

Author: Mercy Merchant

Both Rowena and Barbara shake their heads and indicate they are backing your play. Barbara will add, "These guys have a long reach. The Corp guy that was killed was working for the corporation that hired us, but I do not know if it is the same guy because I haven't been able to reach Raleigh since he went dark and cannot verify my supposition. I do think it is a good supposition. I think there is some massive conspiracy going on here."

Aisha looks at all three of you then shrugs. "Alright, it was just an idea. Now, you have the meds and I put the instructions in the bag. There is a folding wheelchair in the corner there. Be careful of Vlad, eh? He is fairly trustworthy, but he is a criminal in the Vory and the debt he owes me might not be as great in his eyes as I think it is. But he should be good for a few days at least." She looks at the women and adds, "You two are in good hands with Bryant, here. I wish that I could have met both of you under better circumstances. Good luck and stay safe."

Aisha will help you figure out how to manipulate the wheelchair and then assist you in getting Rowena into it as Barbara goes out to the parking lot and brings Aisha's car to the alley entrance.



Author: Zen Gypsy

As Aisha assisted Bryant in getting Rowe and her wheel chair into the vehicle, he turned to her, and laid a reassuring hand on her forearm. "We don't know who these guys are, but we know what they are willing to do to anyone who gets in their way." He looked her directly in her dark brown eyes, "You get a hint of anyone moving around you or the clinic, you go deep, and stay under cover, savvy?"

~

After a brief exchange with the doctor, Bryant settled in beside B., he looked over his shoulder towards Rowena, throwing her a smile, however forced. He then turned back to B., "The Vory," a pause, "merde! They are aggressive, brutal and vicious, any chance you can download a Russian linguisoft, or translator directly to our 'links? I could care less about communicating with them, but I want to know what they are saying when they think we can't listen."

As B., pulled away towards the location Aisha gave them in the Barrens, Bryant tried to stay alert, scanning the traffic for any extraneous movement or elements that might indicate an eminent threat.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara nods. "Already on it, Boss. Accept the download.................now." Your 'link pings with a message from Barbara that contains a fairly thorough linguisoft for Russian, updated to include the current Vory slang and phrases. She turns to look at you and softly says, "Tough girl back there, Boss."

Barbara drives carefully, staying within the speed limit and trying to keep an eye out for any tails. Your own observation is that no one seems oddly interested in your movements. Shortly after leaving the clinic, you get a call on your commlink. >>Mystery man, a mutual friend gave me this code and said I should call you and give aid. Such aid would clear a debt. What is the name of the mutual friend and what were you told is my name?<<



Author: Zen Gypsy

As Barbara spoke about Rowe's strength Bryant could only nod, he looked out the passenger window and watched the sprawl slide by, his own reflection staring back at him. "Yeah, she is. And she should kick my ass for getting her tangled up in all this ... "

His 'link chirped interrupting him, he listened and then responded quietly, >>Aisha Chaka al-Baz. Informed me her contact, Vlad, could keep the heat off of me and mine for a short period of time.<< The situation was less than ideal, the Vory were a vicious organization, and while that ruthlessness made the organization itself exceptionally difficult to infiltrate, it also made it very likely that they would try to manipulate the events into some sort of advantage or leverage over either Aisha or himself.

He needed to tread carefully, and not rely on either Vlad or his organization overmuch in the next few days.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Saturday 9 June 2075 1600 Seattle


>>Very well, Mister Bryant. I am sending you a route. Please do not deviate from it unless I am informed why. You may use the attached code to contact me if required. I will see you in about an hour.<< Your 'link immediately pings with a map overlaid with a specific route in red. The beginning is a cross street near your location and the endpoint seems to be a parking garage in the Renton District. A comm code is also attached.



Author: Zen Gypsy

As Vlad disconnected the call, Bryant swiped the route from his PAN to Barbara's, "There's the route our friend Vlad wants us to follow to his location, he's asked us not to deviate without contacting him." He shrugged, tapped out a slim and let it dangle from his lips, "Having us followed, vehicle's tagged, or he's a control freak, could be all three, could be a test, either way, best we play his game for now."

He let her drive in silence for a while, holding the unlit slim in the corner of his mouth, as the klicks rolled by, he began to piece it together, "Ok, so Raleigh gets a retainer from a Renraku exec, to retrieve a package. Unfortunately we don't know if the exec was working on the side, or doing his job for the corp. A second party, originally in possession of said package, gets Jacob's courier service to carry it to a meet spot where Raleigh is supposed to pick it up." He paused, stroked his chin, "What was the sequence of their progress B.? Exec's residence, Courier's office, Washington Rec, our Office, Hospital, Rowe's apartment?"

"So now they have a physical package, lifted from Jacob's during the Washington Rec extraction, but they need a verbal confirmation or keyword from Rowena to confirm the package. Datalock? They hit Rowe's apartment, but even if she were dealing with this solo, they haven't contacted her, given her an ultimatum, or themselves a way to meet. I have no idea what our next play is going to be B., we've got to lure them out, find out who they are, what they want."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena speaks weakly from the back seat. "They would have a hard time trying to contact me. My 'link was in my purse, which is inconveniently still at the food wagon. No way to get to me."

Barbara also nods. "Makes sense. Anyway, here is the timeline as best as I can put it together. Corp exec, courier office, Washington Rec, our office, hospital, Rowena's apartment.. Make any sense to you? And just my two nuyen, but I would think we need to get Rowena some serious rest time and then try to figure out what our next step is.



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded, "Yeah, rest and regroup. That's about the best thing I've heard all day, just one more obstacle, cutting a deal with Vlad to make sure we don't get in too deep with the Vory." He paused, leaned his head back against the head rest, ran both his hands through his hair, pushing it back from his brow.

"Then we can plan in the morning, I still think our best move is getting our pursuers to expose themselves, but that means putting ourselves in a position that would draw them out." He turned, looked to B., "Think if you analyzed what Rowe overheard you could make sense of it, tie it to the project or package somehow?"

As he spoke, he focused oo Barbara, steadily driving towards a meeting with a representative of one of the most violent criminal organizations in Seattle, her hands were steady, her eyes focused. He reached over to her, squeezed her shoulder reassuringly, "You know B., you keep calling me boss, but you've more than pulled your weight today. Hell, you've done more of the ground work than I actually have. Raleigh would ..," he paused, caught himself, the tough old ork had to have pulled his ass out of that particular fire, "... I'll have Raleigh up your paygrade when we get this situation sorted out."





Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara gives you a look then goes back to driving. "Thanks, Boss. I don't know how you do it if this is your life all the time. I have been scared shitless for hours now. I thought this was a simple PI gig, you know. Following cheating husbands and wives and such. Now it is a whole lot different." She nods her head toward the back seat, where Rowena has drifted off to sleep. "Now, she amazes me. I think I might be stark raving bananas right now if I had been going about my day and was now paralyzed for life. I would be screaming and yelling and angry at everything and everyone. Don't know how she does it and don't know how you do it."

"I could try to make some sense out of what she knows, sure. Give me a chance at it after we settle down and I will do what I can."

Barbara pulls the car into the designated parking garage and goes to the second floor as directed. A white van flashes its lights and three men climb out an open side door. Two are armed with submachineguns while the third appears to be unarmed. They wait for you to pull up but appear to be alert.



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant got out of the car, he kept his hands well away from the shoulder rig that held his Crusader. He walked over to the three men, keeping his hands in clear view the entire team, "Bryant Champagne, Vlad I assume?" He extended his right hand to the unarmed man as he continued speaking, "Barbara's my partner, she's driving, and our third is Rowena, injured from a confrontation with unknown assailants. We've got prescription meds for Rowe, and a duffel with my gear. Am I transferring it to the van, or are we following you in the car?"

His PAN was running the linguisoft that Barbara had gotten them, listening carefully for any back and forth between the Vory in their native language.

Author: Mercy Merchant

Neither of the two armed men say anything, but they seem to scan you with a wary eye and move just enough to not allow the third man to block their line of sight or fire. The apparent leader of the three men steps forward and speaks good English but with a heavy Russian accent as he takes your hand. "Yes. Vlad. Is nice to meet you, maybe. Depends on what drek you have brought to my doorstep. But that is for later. For now, we must transfer you to the van. I hear that girl is in wheelchair and cannot walk, so bring first and put chair in van then get bag. Car is to be sent back to doctor. So far, you are not followed, but that is only as good as men watching can tell, yes? So maybe. Please hurry. Is nephew Mikail driving van."

Barbara climbs out of the car and you briefly note that Vlad's eyes scan her figure appreciatively, but that the two gunmen just glance at her and keep scanning the area. B opens Rowena's door and helps you transfer her to the van before getting the chair from the trunk as you grab your duffel. Within a couple of minutes, all of you are in the van and it drives off, one of the gunmen riding shotgun and the other staying in the rear to watch you and Barbara. Vlad nods at some unseen voice and looks at you. "Is OK. Still no one seems to follow you. We are clean and away. I ask that you wait until in safe place to say much, although you can say thanks."



Author: Zen Gypsy

The man's forthright manner, and off handed comment about thanks somehow ingratiated himself to Bryant, he merely nodded as he got into the van. He slipped in beside Rowe, and secured her chair. "Then I will say thank you, your assistance is appreciated. There's a plas-foam container in my duffel, contained within is a bottle of '55 Scotch from the Tir, I would be more than happy to open it and share a drink with you at the conclusion of our business."

He nodded towards Barbara, and squeezed Rowe's hand, "To be clear that business is assuring the safety of my two associates and myself while we investigate the events of the day." He watched the men in the van for a reaction, but pushed himself back into the seat, gently cradling Rowe's hand in his as he watched the sprawl slide by.

This was Vlad's show now, and while we did approach the situation with caution, he had to trust that the Vory would act with their own best interest. They didn't have enough information as of yet, to weigh their options, or risk a double cross.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad raises his eyebrows and you know you have his attention. He gives you a huge smile and says, "I am Russian and my veins are more vodka than blood, but I have lived here for some years and have developed an appreciation for other nectars. I would be happy to share your Tir scotch." He waves his hands at your next words. "Yes, yes. We are clear on need for making safe you and your companions. I already guess who you are from news feeds. Much death follows where you go, but you will be safe with me."

You notice that the buildings you are passing are getting more derelict and realize that you are crossing into the Barrens. The van eventually pulls up to an open garage door and enters. You see three additional hard men standing about in different areas, all focused on the van. Vlad gets out and motions for one of his men to approach. "Ivan here can take your companions to their rooms. Bring your scotch and talk with me, please."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nods at Vlad, turns toward the van and removes his duffel, setting on the garage floor. He bends down, rummages through it and pulls out a styro-plast container, battered but serviceable. He looks towards B. as he walks past her towards Vlad and his, presumed, office. He grabs her elbow and whispers, "Keep your piece handy, just in case. Whoever wants us was able to walk past Errant at Mercy, stay with Rowe, I'll be back ... soon."

He then continues past Ivan and the two women, and speaks as he catches up to Vlad. "Glasses? After this morning, I know I need at least a double."



Author: Mercy Merchant

The mobster smiles and gives a slight chuckle. "Glasses I have. Have a seat and let's discuss what we can do for each other." He motions to take a seat on a chair in front of the desk he sits at. Opening a side drawer, he pulls out two glasses and pushes them across the table to you. "A double, I think you said? So, what do you need and do you have some names you want us to use while the three of you are here? I am pretty sure I know the girl, anyway. Her face and name are all over the news feeds. Your picture is, but no name is currently attached, but that is merely a matter of time, I suppose. And the rather lusciously breasted woman driving your car I do not know at all. Tell me what you need and we can work out something in exchange."



Author: Zen Gypsy

As Bryant lines up the two glasses in front of him he pours a generous two fingers into each, after sliding a glass back across the desk towards Vlad, he holds his glass up looking at the light filtered through the golden amber liquid. "Name's Bryant, and before we talk business I figure I owe you thanks for your hospitality, and offering protection to me and mine. Even if it's only for a night."

He tipped his glass against Vlad's, swirled the liquid around the tumbler, and drained it slowly, savoring the smokey hued Scotch. As he felt the heat rise in the core of his stomach, he smiled. It felt good to share a drink, despite the business of the day, he only wished he had a cigar.

"Unfortunately, there is not a lot of information to share. You are a smart man, a connected man, so you'll have to forgive if I provide information you've already discovered, or assumed." He paused, closed his eyes for a moment, and placed the empty glass back on the table. "I work for Raleigh Investigations, partner actually. Raleigh used to work with Lone Star, special hermetic investigations I believe. He called me up this morning, said there was to be a hand off at Washington Rec, client informed him a courier would be exchanging a package and I was to get it back to the office."

"Exchange was to go down a little before 10 this morning, at 'bout quarter to we find that the courier's office has been hit. Explosives, downtown core, broad daylight. Whoever wants the package has resources. That's when I noticed the extraction team vectoring in on the courier, three, heavily armed, and two concealed in the crowd. I engage, down one of the three, not before the other two open up with combat shotguns on Jacobs. The courier. He goes down, waitress, Rowena, tries to help him up. I engage the third man in close, he switches to a pistol, Rowe grabs his arm, takes one meant for me."

He grimaces at the memory, raises the styro clad bottle of Scotch pours a small finger into each glass, sips from his own and continues.

"Extraction team is down two members, and secures the package. I question the trigger man that's still conscious, he confirms that they were hired out, contractors, closed cell structure only one man knowing where payment was coming from. I end him and carry on. Rowe gets transferred to Mercy, on a hunch I follow. Maybe she heard something from Jacobs."

He pauses, looks up, shrugs. "En route to Mercy we discover that my office has been hit, no further communication from my partner, no way to know whether he got out unless I can see Errant's reports. Turns out my hunch was right, two or three vans, with a little inside help, I secure Rowena, but she's in a bad way. As you saw. I take her to an old friend, Aisha, on the way to her clinic, we find report of a corp exec, Renraku, killed in his private residence, we assume our employer but without checking Raleigh's files it's only an assumption. Aisha feeds us your name, says she is calling in a marker you owe her, so now I owe her for that, and you," a wave of the hand encompasses the safe house, "for this."

"On the way here we hear that Rowena's apartment got hit, they are sending a message to this woman. She heard something that they want, that they need, but as much as I want to put these bastards in the ground, I got nothing on them, and Vlad," he leaned forward over the desk, his black sheathed hand clenched tightly in a fist and thumped the heavy oak desk for emphasis, "I f%^king hate being put on the defensive."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods as you tell the story, apparently interested and listening quite closely. When you finish, he tips the remaining scotch in his glass down his throat and pushes the glass back to you with a nod at the bottle. "You seem quite determined, Bryant. I like that. Many in your position would have gone to the KE and turned themselves in already. I hate being on the defensive, too. I guess it is the Russian in me, so maybe you have a bit of Russian in you? Perhaps the first step is to find out who is after you, then you can take the battle to them. I have a couple of good hackers that can try to probe the matrix for answers as well as various contacts I can start asking questions of. Why don't you pour me another drink then I will take you to your room and let you get some badly needed sleep while I start looking for these guys?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant smiled grimly, he found himself warming to the man, though he had no doubt he haunted the dreams of his enemies. "Perhaps," he stated simply to Vlad's compliment on his determination, and his heritage. He reached across and poured another two fingers for his host, pushed the glass back across the table with his own and raised his own glass to finish the last of the amber liquid.

"I don't sleep well on the best of nights," he tapped his forehead with a knuckle, "too many echoes. Will it offend you or your men if I have a smoke tonight? Helps me keep the ghosts at bay." He stood up, placed the rest of the bottle on the man's desk. "A gift. For our host."

He looked down at Vlad, his face calm, but his smile vanished. "Any chance I could look in on my companions before I retire? I want to make sure they're alright, I made them a promise. That I'd keep them safe, and that I'd put those f^kers in the ground. I intend to do both."

He nodded to his host, stepping back so he could stand and lead him out of his office, "I have a feeling you and I are alike, in that we don't make promises lightly, but when we do, we keep them."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad tosses the drink back and sucks in his breath before taking the bottle and glasses and putting them in the side drawer of his desk. he rises to his feet and motions for you to follow him. "I know ghosts, Bryant. I know ghosts. I will take you to see your companions and then we can perhaps smoke. Do you have your own? I am afraid that all I can offer you are horrible little things from Russia. They could eat your gut out and smell terrible until your nose hairs are so destroyed they do not care anymore. I will share with you if you dare or are desperate enough. And I think you and I are very alike, Bryant. I can be your most dedicated and loyal friend or your most implacable foe. Either way, I never give up." He goes silent for a moment then continues, "Um, would you know if the delectable morsel that is the woman who was driving you is married or otherwise attached? She has struck me as someone I might like to get to know."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Friend or implacable foe, a grim smile came across his face, "Let us hope it is the former then and not the latter, it would certainly be unpleasant for all involved."

He followed Vlad through the hallway, reached a hand into his jacket and drew out the battered pack of Szczepanskis, held them out. "They're eastern bloc, there's a street hawker cart outside our offices in Auburn, a short, broad shouldered Ukraine runs it. We could very well be talking the same brand," he chuckled, "but I'd never notice. Hell Vlad, I don't know how much of my lungs are my own, or synthetic, or donated organs. Sometimes it's best not to ask eh?"

As Vlad mentioned Barbara he turned, watched Vlad closely, "Funny that. When Raleigh brought her on, I figured it was good to have a woman with assets like that being the first thing clients would see if they came down in person." He paused, brought the unlit slim to his lips, "Almost feel ashamed of thoughts like that, she proved herself decent at the admin, and legwork if needed, but still thought of her as eye candy, a junior partner if anything. She's got balls Vlad, maybe more than some of the bastards who were coming after us today, she's strong, stronger than I gave her credit for. So I appreciate you coming to me, shows respect, consideration." He shrugged, "So yeah, she's got a fiance, Robert I think. But she's a big girl, you show her the same respect you showed me, she'd probably share a drink with you, but if she says no it means no. But what it doesn't mean is disrespect, or a lack of gratitude, it just means she's not interested, saavy?"

Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods and smiles as he pulls out a pack of cigarettes just like yours. "Looks like we have the same taste in coffin nails. And I understand about respecting a woman like your Barbara. I thought there was something more about her than just the person driving your car. Here we are, they are both in this room. Yours is here across the hall. Come back down if you want to smoke away from the ladies."

He turns and leaves you, headed back down the hall to the stairs. Opening the door, you see a smallish room with two beds and a small table with two chairs. Rowena is in one, the wheelchair to its side. Barbara is sitting at the table. Both look up when you walk in.



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant walked over to the unoccupied seat, looked from Rowena to Barbara and back again. "Talked to our host, despite my misgivings about his organization, the man himself is willing to risk both status and resources to provide us shelter from the storm that follows. In addition to that, he is willing to use his connections to that organization to look for information that could help us bring those bastards to heel."

He sighed, and continued, "I played straight with him, I didn't hold anything back, nor do I intend to. I made it clear that if his aid would incur debt or obligation, that it would be me alone who would be accountable for that debt." He reached across the small bed and grasped Rowe's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, that he hoped was both comforting and reassuring. "I trust the man, but I am just across the hall. If you need anything, let me know. I doubt I'll be able to get much sleep."

Bryant stood up, "Just because I can't doesn't mean you shouldn't. Get some rest, we'll talk in the morning." With that he strode across the room, looked back at the two women, forced a smile and slowly closed the door, stepping into the hall.

He walked down the corridor until he found Vlad, he tapped the unlit Szczepanski, "Shall we put a few nails in our own coffins? Then maybe tomorrow we can start measuring those bastards for their own boxes, eh?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

The man nods. "Do you speak Russian, my friend? In the Motherland, we have a saying that can only be roughly translated to "Life sucks and then you make someone else pay for it.". It sounds better in Russian, I think. I will help you as much as I can without endangering my people here. A vicious gang leader has more to worry about than which knees to break today. I have people that look up to me and need my soldiers to keep riff raff away. But I will do what I can. By any chance, can you move in the matrix? It would be helpful if you could aid my man with details."

After chain smoking three cigarettes, Vlad tells you it is time for him to get some rest. He leaves you after making sure that you know how to get back to your room.



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant leaned against the window ledge, blew the smoke out into the evening air, "In another life I was Chief Security Officer for a small national corporation, one of my guys kept telling me that Matrix Security should be my primary concern, I told him that's why he was on the payroll," he turned and looked at Vlad, "Guess you could say I am used to contracting out. Barbara is pretty decent at sniffing out data trails, it's one of her many talents, so you could try asking her."

As he turned back down the corridor towards his guest room, he looked over his shoulder at Vlad, "I don't know anything about your operation, nor am I curious enough to risk our relationship by asking too many questions. What I do want to know is, do I have free rein in this safehouse, or do I need to avoid certain areas so as to not make either you or your crew nervous?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad's eyes go a bit brighter when you say Barbara might be able to help with the matrix stuff and he seems to be mulling that over in his mind as you talk about your prior life. "A corporation man, eh? And a suit to boot. Not sure that idea crossed my mind when I was trying to decide to take you in. You have the ability to move anywhere in the building. You can even go outside if you need to stretch your legs. I would be cautious, though, and maybe stay in the rear alley. It smells worse, but there are lots fewer people there who might recognize you and try to claim the reward that KE has out on you."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant smiled ruefully, and nodded. "I may end up checking out that alley if I can't sleep," he paused, looked at his host again, "thank you once again for your hospitality, your respect and consideration will be paid in kind." He shook the man's hand and walked back down the corridor to the guest room.

Once inside, he stripped off his shirt, and his body armor, checked the bruising along his ribs from the shots a gunman had got in on him at Washington Rec. He stretched out his ribcage, then watched as the diagnostics and calibration sequence scrolled through his field of vision, ensuring that his limbs hadn't sustained any significant damage or any other associated issues. He sat down at the table, and clicked on the bedside lamp, and drew out his weapons, one by one, stripping and field cleaning them to prepare for the inevitable.

He ran through his options, he hadn't lied when he spoke to Vlad. The lack of information on his opponents was what had them on the defensive, and he couldn't formulate a plan of action without knowing in what direction he needed to move. He sighed, put his head back against the wall, and listened for sounds of movement from across the hall.

He didn't know what he felt for Rowe, guilt certainly, a sense of obligation, but he didn't want to explore those feelings too deeply. He needed to conclude business first, and she was a part of that. Anything else, he'd need time to discover, and she'd need time to adjust to her new life.

As his thoughts drifted down those roads, he drifted off to sleep still seated, head resting against the wall, facing the doorway to the corridor.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Sunday 10 June 2075 0758 Vory Safehouse Seattle Barrens
The toll of the previous day had hit you harder than you had thought and you sleep all the way to nearly 0800. The rest must have done you some good because you feel refreshed and do not recall any of the nightmares that have sometimes plagued your sleep in recent days. Your training means that you have none of the "where am I" feeling from waking in a strange place. You know that you are in a safehouse for a violent gang of criminals and yet that thought does not seem to disturb you overmuch. There are voices in the hall outside your room but you cannot make any of the words out. Then comes a knock on the door. "Are you decent, Boss? I have some breakfast for you. May I come in?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He stood up, stretched his back, the diagnostics were through his field of vision as his limbs powered up. He got up from the chair, realized he hadn't even changed from the previous day, shrugged and threw on his shirt. "I'm good, yeah, some grub would be great about now."

He headed for the door, opened it with a tired smile, "Apparently I overslept, how'd you sleep last night, good?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara walks into the room carrying a small try with some food on it. She nods as she walks to the small table and puts it down. "Slept well. And, yeah, you overslept a bit, but I guess you needed it. Not much here, just some things from the Stuffer Shack down the street, but it will do. So, are we staying here a bit? The head guy wants me to work with him and his trix wizard to see if we can find some of these guys. Rowena is already downstairs charming the thugs on watch. She got a couple of them to carry her down the stairway."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant only nibbled at the krill burrito, but thoroughly enjoyed the soy-kaf, "The Stuffer? Any port in a storm eh?" He set the thermal foam cup down on the bed side table, turned around and pulled off his shirt, so he could slip on his form fit armor weave. Doing so he revealed a gaunt and wiry frame, his chest and shoulders marked by a criss cross of scar tissue that terminated at the shoulder housings for his cybernetic prosthetics.

He turned back around, "Talked to Vlad last night, told him you're our best bet for a data search, so he'll probably co-ordinate between yourself and his matrix specialist. I've been honest with them," and at this juncture he lowered his voice, "but B., if we could keep what Rowe's told us off the radar it might save us some trouble in the long term."

He picked up his thermofoam cup, brought the soy kaf to his face and inhaled the caffeinated vapour. "What are the feeds saying B., any news on the office, Raleigh?" While he believed that Raleigh had the resources, the guts and the sheer will to survive the strike at the office, he wasn't sure that his friend would surface yet, at least not until he knew which way the wind was blowing.

Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara nods and you can tell by her eyes that she has noticed the scars on your back. "Sure thing, Boss. News feeds are pretty much what they were yesterday, but something else is pushing the feeds away from Seattle. Apparently some sort of bombing in Bogota, Colombia. Scores dead and many more wounded. No one claiming responsibility yet, but it might serve to get us off the feeds for a bit. Won't stop the guys looking for us on either side of the law, though. No news of Raleigh, although they released the Jacob's name as among the dead. The rest are unidentified, but they put pictures up to try to get people to call in about them and I know one of them. Or at least I think I do. Mercenary I ran across two years ago when working a line for another employer. The boss was a bit loose with his hands and his morals, so I quit. But I remember this guy on the feeds. Might be a place to start, eh?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

"That will certainly work in our favour, financials, employer, residence, outstanding warrants and known associates, a good place to start. Nice find B." He started to walk into the hall then stopped, looking towards Barbara to ensure he had her attention, "Keep this find under wraps until after the data search with Vlad's guy, see if we can't start to piece this together without risking too much exposure."

As he stepped into the hallway, he called back to Barbara, "Now lets see if we can't find Rowena, and see how she's enjoying her breakfast."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara shakes her head. "I will do as you say, Boss, but I think we need to share something. The guy is going out on a limb here for us. He may be Vory, but he seems nice and he seems genuinely like he wants to help." She walks with you down the hallway to the stairs, where you can hear some raised voices. Once in the main room, you see Rowena moving the wheelchair about in the main room, using her arms to push the wheels. Three men are watching her, cheering her on, which is the source of the raised voices. She spies you and stops before rolling over to you. "Figured I would try to get the hang of this wheelchair. Nothing is going to stop Mrs. Calder's daughter from moving around, certainly not something as silly as a shattered spine. Then just wait, I will out of this thing and moving about on my own soon." Her eyes seem bright and she smiling bravely, but is that a small note of despair you detect when she talks about walking again?

The men near you start to move away, but call out words of encouragement as the do. There is a voice from behind you. "Bryant, my friend, good morning. Are you ready to get cracking on finding out who is doing this to you? I was hoping to get your Barbara to help me? I am not so good with the matrix, but my nephew is."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant smiled as he walked over to Rowe, he knew the despair that could come from the injuries, he remembered some of his own counselling as he became accustomed to his cybernetic implants and prosthetic limbs. He knelt down beside her chair, putting himself on her level,"I know you've got all these boys attention," with a tilt of his head he indicated the Vory soldiers, "just remember who gets the first dance." He squeezed her hand reassuringly as he heard Vlad's voice over his shoulder.

He remembered Barbara's words as he stood up, one last look at Rowe, and he turned around to Vlad, his professionalism again sliding into place. "Good morning Vlad. Barbara is going to help you, and your cousin, search the data for evidence of our assailants." He paused, looked to Barbara, then back to his host, "While monitoring the news feeds, specifically in regards to our offices, she recognised one of the bodies taken out. It may be a place to start, I was going to with hold the information, to ensure that any info you offered us matched to what we knew. Old habits my friend," he clasped Vlad's shoulder, "you are our host, and Barbara was the one to remind me that you have shown us nothing but respect."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena blushes at your words and sucks her breath in without saying anything, but her eyes look at you, asking an unspoken question that is interrupted by Vlad. After saying your piece, the gangster's eyes narrow and his lips tighten a bit. he looks from you to Barbara then back to you before breaking into a smile. "Yes, my new friend. I might have done the same in your position. But now we are good, yes? I will take your Barbara to meet my nephew and get started on this research. Perhaps we see each other at lunch?" He offers his arm to Barbara and walks off. There are a few whistles that die off quickly as Vlad looks around.

Rowena tugs on your shirt and waits for you to turn around. "And what do you want me to do? I do not have matrix skills like Barbara, but do not want to feel useless, especially after all you have done for me."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Her blush, her breathing, and the unasked question in her eye awakened something in Bryant, something he thought long since dead. A potent mix of desire and hope. As these echoes of the man he had been carried to the surface, Vlad's voice cut through it all. Even as he spoke, Vlad's displeasure was evident to him, but he needed to continue to be honest with the man, and surely one such as himself could not begrudge an ally for being cautious.

He watched Vlad and Barbara leave the room, as Rowena spoke to him from her chair. He knelt down beside her, "Honestly Rowe, you amaze me. After my," he unconsciously flexed his myomer hand, the whir of the micro-electric motors evident in the silence, "surgery, I struggled to accept my condition. I was half a man, perhaps less, bones shattered, arms crushed, legs, inoperable. Perhaps worst of all, I had no memory of who I was, the only things I know about Bryant are files and images, pieced together from a past I can't recall."

"I'll do everything in my power to see that justice is done, that you walk again, and the people who did this to you," he paused, thought of Raleigh, thought of Jacob's, "to my friends, don't. You need to remember that you have this," he tapped a finger against his skull, "and you have this," he held to fingers over his heart, "you're smart Rowe, and you have more heart than all the thugs in this building put together. We just have to figure out how to tap into that, to use it, to get everyone out from under these guys."

"Right now Vlad, his cousin and B., are doing the leg work, finding the data then it'll be up to us to stop these guys. Find what they want, and take it from them. I'll be in the field, you'll be with B., so you'll need to pay attention, and you'll need to be able to protect her, protect yourself. I respect the hell out of you Rowena, for fighting through the $h!t's that been thrown your way since yesterday morning, but I don't know anything about you, not really. So why don't we start there."



Author: Mercy Merchant

The woman in the wheelchair blushes again, but does not look away. "Not much to tell, really. Not much interesting, anyway. Parents still alive and I have two brothers older and two younger, making me Mrs. Calder's only daughter. Mom is the life of the family and dad knows it. They are terribly in love so no real drama there. I love my brothers and cannot help but think how all of this will affect them. I wanted to call, but Barbara told me that it might be dangerous for them so I have not. But they must be very worried. Anyway, mom has always been the one to push me to do better. She has always said that any daughter of Mrs. Calder could be anything she wanted to be. And I have believed her. You should meet her someday. Anyway I moved out of the house when I started the university. First year was in a school dorm, but that sucked because it seemed that all the girls were interested in was sex and finding a rich corp husband, preferably one that had a secure slot in a AAA, you know. I was taking a dance class and some nice looking man came up to ask if I wanted a job that would pay my bills. Since I was practically starving I said yes and signed some papers. Turned out that the job was dancing with a pole and stripping.................and other stuff. I tried to leave but the papers I signed said I agreed to work there for a year. The money was very nice and so were the other girls, most of whom had been tricked like I was. But they told me that the guy that owned the place was straight with the girls and would let me go after my year if I wanted."

"So I did the year and even considered staying on because the money was good and the owner did treat us fairly, or at least more fairly than some places. Then one day Matt, my oldest brother, came into the club with some friends and saw me in my birthday suit in all my glory. I tell you that Mrs. Calder's daughter was embarrassed that day. I quit that night. I already had the summer day job at Washington Rec with the food stand, so I went to Tony and he took me on full time, sort of. At least as full time as he could afford. I had to make some serious changes in my life, you know. like how much food I was allowed to eat. But I was making do, at least until yesterday. Now...................well now is a different story and I will get past this challenge."

She will put out a hand and touch your cheek. The warmth in her slight touch is amazing. "I am sorry that you were hurt. It would be horrible to not know who I am, so I can only imagine how bad it must be. Sort of makes my little problem seem less. I wish there was something I could do to help you get your memory back. I am studying psych at..................was studying psych at the U. Maybe I could ask my prof to talk to you to see if he thinks anything can be done."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant squeezed her hand, "That's the thing that scares me Rowe. Sometimes I feel like Bryant, the one I was before, is a ghost, or an echo. What if I don't like who he was, or what he did?" He stood up, "It's part of why I don't bring it up, or talk about it. At least not with those who I don't trust."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, leaned forward over the back of the chair, "Sorry about your folks, your family. A healthy one's a rare thing I find, and something to be cherished. We'll get you back to them, in time, but B. was right, reaching out now could be real dangerous. For them." Her hair was fragrant, and the warmth he felt from being this close to him, it too was distracting.

"Shall we talk to Vlad's boys, see if we can't figure out what's going on outside of these walls, keep busy until B., and Vlad's cousin turn something up for us?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena smiles and chuckles a bit. "I can still see my brother's face when he saw me all spread out on that stage. I was not even wrapped around a pole, but was standing in front of some cheering construction workers, showing them everything and they were being appreciative with their money, too. I am hardly ashamed of my body, Bryant, but I guess I was just not prepared for my brother to see it. But in your case, if you are concerned about not liking yourself in the past, maybe you should just stop trying to remember the past. Live for the now and the future. Mrs. Calder used to tell me that the past is fragging over and done with, although she almost never used the word fragging. But her point was pretty clear even without swearing. She is very down to earth in her opinions and not afraid to tell anyone what those opinions are. So, take me, I cannot afford to spend any time wishing that I had not been shot. What good would that do? No, I have to live believing that I will get out of this wheelchair someday and walk again, even though the doctors are all saying I will never do that. Frag the doctors. They do not know Mrs. Calder's daughter."

"Besides, I would not have got to know you if I had not been working there and been shot, would I? And that would have been very sad." She goes quiet and looks up at you for a moment then blushes again at what she has just said before changing the subject. "And yes, I would like to take a spin outside this building, if that is allowed."





Author: Zen Gypsy

He nodded at Rowena, "Alright, Vlad mentioned an alley around back where I could go for a smoke if I couldn't sleep." He smiled sheepishly, "Not that I needed to apparently," on a normal day he was typically up by 4:30 or 5:00, not so today. "We came in through a car port originally, so we could go for a walk in that direction, see if we can find some of his soldiers. Their boss and I share the same poor taste in eastern bloc cigarettes. Lets see if that holds true for his crew?"

He began to walk towards the rear of the facility, he kept his pace in check, he wanted Rowena to get used to her current condition, he'd be there for most physical transfers, but she would have to get used to maneuvering the chair. "Lets see if you can keep up, eh?" With that he began plotting a course around the perimeter of the building, and walked towards the rear exit.

When they came across some of the Vory soldiers, Bryant walked up and offered the battered pack of Szczepanski with what he hoped was a warm smile. "What's the news boys? We've watched the feeds, but we don't know what's going on beyond these walls, and we can't really wander out without bringing the heat down on you and your boss, yeah?"

Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena tries hard to keep up, but is still getting the hang of the chair and is a bit slow, especially at some of the corners. She keeps up a good face through it all, even when she has to back up and try again. You can find a group of three soldiers watching the rear of the building. One of the men shakes his head at your offer but the other two accept. One of the men nods at your question as he accepts a light from you. "Благодаря, thanks. These things will kill us some day, but so will just about anything else. Is not much new on news feeds. If you go for walk, it is best to not leave alley."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded as the soldier spoke, "No, the risk is too great. If we get spotted we compromise our safety, and put you and your boss into their line of fire. Was curious though, if you boys had heard anything out there? Things that wouldn't be on the feeds?"

He didn't like waiting, hopefully Vlad, his cousin and B., were going to be able to discover some data that would set them on the right track, but he couldn't be certain of that, and they would need to be ready to move on if need be. He drew his own slim, and held the door to the alley open with his foot, exhaling the acrid smoke into the morning air.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena speaks up from behind you. "So not outside trip today? I can go back and practice some more inside. Trying those corners is a bit harder than I had thought it would be. See you later, Bryant." You hear her turn the chair around in the narrow hallway leading to the back door and can tell that she hits the wall a couple of times. She is whistling a happy sort of tune that fades away as she disappears into the building.

Your smoking buddies watch her leave, one of them holding his hands out in front of him and saying something in Russian, causing one of the other two to laugh and drawing a sharp sound from the third man that can only be interpreted as a rebuke. The two laughers fall silent and the other looks at you. "They mean nothing by it, my friend. You have to admit that she is pretty nicely built, though, and they were admiring her form. I find it amazing that she seems to be taking this so well. Is it true that she was only paralyzed yesterday? She certainly takes it like she is well used to it. Are you two together? The way she looks at you when you are not looking says a lot."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He smiled as he listened to Rowe move down the corridor, "Yeah, she's strong, got a good head, and a good heart. Brave to the point of foolish." He checked over his shoulder to ensure that Rowe was out of earshot as he responded to the soldier, "Together? I've been in her life maybe 24 hours at this point, she's spent 23 of those hours with a bullet lodged in her spine. Know what that tells me?" He took a deep drag from the slim, letting it out slowly. "That I fragged her life, and the sooner she's rid of men like us the better, yeah? But that ain't happening until I put those bastards into the ground for what they did, to her, to my friends," he paused, "to me."

He didn't want to walk away, hell, he near as promised Aisha he wouldn't. That didn't mean that some part of him, didn't blame himself for her condition, didn't ask himself what he could have done, how he could have prevented it. Just being near her was intoxicating, but he was concerned that he was a cancer, and the violence that followed him would consume her.

That thought scared him, because she was the brightest thing in his life since ... he shrugged. He couldn't remember his life before the Tetreault extraction, so, she was the brightest thing in his life. Period. Full stop.

He flicked his butt through the cracked door into the alley, "Thanks for the distraction boys. Stay sharp, hopefully this will be over soon."

With that he turned back down the corridor, towards the parking garage, and the clacking of Rowe's chair.





Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena does clack about in her chair in the parking garage, trying to maneuver around things in sharp and gentle turns. Her arms are not yet strong enough to keep this sort of practice up for too long, though, and she has to rest. The men move a small couch into the garage from somewhere and try to lift her out of the chair before you stop them. She smiles up at you and puts her arms about your neck as you lift her from the chair and set her on the couch so she can rest. From the couch, she looks at you. "Sorry for the extra weight, Bryant. I will have to lose some of it if you are going to do carry me about too often, but I hope that Mrs. Calder's daughter is out of that thing before too long." There is something in her eyes that tells you that she is far more scared than she is letting on. She pats the couch cushion next to her and says, "So sit a bit. My prof is fond of saying that people are prone to talk about things just by talking about them. He means that sometimes people have buried something in the past in a form of amnesia, but that talking about just stuff can sometimes loosen the memories and allow them to come back. So, do you want to sit and try? For instance, is there a wife or girlfriend in your life? Before or now."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He sat beside her, and put an arm over her, allowing her to nestle against his chest, which was typically warmer than his prosthetic limbs. "I think so, at least someone I cared about." He paused, uncertain, "He, cared about? It's confusing. I read the dossiers, service records, academic transcripts, employment files, hell, they even included interview footage, and security feeds from my, his, day to day. So would I know her, to see her? Yes, I think I would. People tell me I, he? Loved her, but would I feel that if I were to see her? Hell, I don't even know if she's alive ..."

As he looked towards Rowe he felt something, a twinge of regret, guilt perhaps. He wasn't sure if it was because he was talking about Iris to a woman he cared for, or because he was talking to another woman while Iris was still missing. "Her name was Iris Chase, she was uniquely talented. It made her an asset to our firm, but she had a past, and that caught up to her. Someone wanted her, badly. So they came for her. I was Chief of Security, we expected trouble we didn't expect Mega Corp trouble." As he spoke, the hand behind her head dug into the synthetic leather of the stuffed couch, his cold cybernetic eyes betrayed nothing, his face remained calm except for a slight twitch beneath his right eye, "We were betrayed from within, the extraction had been planned, breaching charges placed, routes confirmed, I'd found the route, I was beside the charges when they went off. Blast didn't kill me, least not right away, bullet to the head did." He looked towards Rowe, there was something on his face, grief, perhaps. "Aisha told me I was down 7 minutes, she was the one who scraped me off the rubble, brought what was left of me to the recovery clinic." His hand released the stuffed couch, having torn through the leather cover.

He smiled sadly, then his eyebrow raised, and he spoke softly, "'But tears run down to the ocean, in rivers that can carve through stone, and in the dawning morning, we see that we were not alone.' Mercurial? I think she liked listening to her, I preferred jazz, old pre awakened jazz, but For the Children kinda stuck with me."

He looked around the garage bay, and a fog lifted from his face, as if suddenly remembering the den of wolves they had sought refuge in, while trying to evade the pack of dogs that had their scent. "Maybe we can talk more later, but we should stay focused on the here and now, so there is a later for us, yeah?" He looked around the garage, spotted what he was looking for, and disentangled himself from her comforting weight, picking up a pair of work gloves, he grabbing a pair of tin snips, and cut the fingers off. "Try these on, should help with the chaffing from the wheel rails." He paused, as he handed her the gloves, considering, "You got a jack Rowena? I know when they were first calibrating my legs, the hooked up an external connection, we may be able to find braces or something like that."





Author: Mercy Merchant

When you help her put on the gloves, she softly grips your hand and looks up at you. "I......I don't know that I can compare well to a memory like that, Bryant. I don't have any unique talents or skills and I.........and I can understand you not wanting a future with.............well, with what I am now and not able to do anything much for you. And I don't want you hanging about from guilt, either, you hear? Mrs. Calder's daughter could not handle that sort of thing."

She looks away for a bit then looks back at you and you can see that her eyes are a bit wet. "Bryant, you go on looking for that Iris woman. She will be needing you and I will be fine. And I don't have a jack or anything else implanted. All of Mrs. Calder's money went to her sons, because they needed it for their cars and their girlfriends, and.............well everything. It got so I did not expect any so was never disappointed and wanted none of it. What I got from my mother was something else. Maybe I am not sure yet what all that is, but I hope it is something worth having. I....I think I am ready to try the chair some more."

She reaches out for the arm of the chair to pull it closer and tries to get in, but fails and falls to the floor. She waves you away when you move to help. "I need to learn how to do it."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He nodded as she spoke, studying her face, "Do you know what Vlad's soldiers were asking me after you left the alley while I finished my smoke? They were asking if it's true that you'd only suffered this set-back yesterday. Hardened thugs, gunmen, killers, asking about your strength, courage and determination? B.'s asked me the same thing, Aisha noted it as well. Don't question your self like that, you don't have to compare yourself to ghosts in my head, ok?"

As she struggled to the chair, he let he work through it, she was a strong woman, and would need to be self sufficient. When she fell he winced, but then leaned forward, pulled her chair closer to her. "Here, brace yourself on the couch, but make sure the brake is on the chair's wheels, it won't get away from you then. On three. 1. 2. 3." As she began to hoist herself to the chair he continued. "I will go on looking for Iris, but to me, it's a debt, an obligation to the memory of a man I used to be." He shrugged, "My post augmentation therapist says I need to try and sever attachments to my past, make new ones to the present, and the future. Part of me hope's that you'd be a part of that future, part of me is scared of that possibility, and a third, nagging part, tells me you should run as far away from me as possible. Either way, we've got to get you through the next few days before either of us come to a decision. I promised to keep you safe, and I intend to keep my word."

He smirked.

"Besides it sounds like Mrs. Caulder would track me down and kick my sorry @$$ if I didn't."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena goes silent as you help talk her through getting into the wheelchair then she looks at you. "Thank you, Bryant. Would you really want a girl like me in your life? I mean, it is possible that I might be in this thing for a bit and that........................and you should not give a girl hopes if you do not really mean it. So don't say things just to be nice or to perk me up." She spins the chair around a couple of times before adding, "But thank you for saying them anyway. I did need perking up and if you really mean it..........................."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He smiled, almost sadly, "You know, as well as I do, that nobody can predict the future, so I don't know what that will bring. I just know that until yesterday morning, I felt," he paused searching for the word,"distanced from most people. I had allies, co-workers, people I respected, people I trusted. What I didn't have was a connection with many of them, disassociation, that's the word my therapist uses. When I arrived at Washington Rec, you were so. Present? So real? It was like watching an out of focus trid, but you were in 3D High-Def. Ask B., the way you acted, kind, concerned. Your smile, your eyes, I thought you were a plant, an actress, doing her job too well. Turns out I was wrong, and you were just ... you."

His face tightened as he continued, something stirring in his chest, "I won't lie, I blame myself for you being in that chair, there is guilt, and I doubt it'd ever go away. That doesn't mean it's all I see when I look at you, and it doesn't change the fact that I want to be with you, to watch you push, to watch you fail, and to watch you overcome. I can't promise that I won't hurt you Rowe, I don't know what the future brings, but I can promise I would never do so intentionally. I feel like a ghost, stuck between a past I can't remember, and a future that I can't know, so I can only live here, in the moment." He reached out a hand, "And I don't intend to go anywhere ..."

Author: Mercy Merchant

She will stop spinning and reach out a hand to take yours, momentarily putting it up to her cheek. "Thank you, Bryant. That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. So, one day at a time. And before long I will be needing crutches because this chair will be history." She drops your hand and begins moving around the garage area, seeming to get the knack of it down quite well.



Author: Zen Gypsy

He got up from the couch, a felt a little on edge. He wasn't used to divulging this much about his past, nor had he with anyone other than Dr. Osterhagen, his Shiawase sponsored psych counselor. Had it not been for her kindness, her concern, her natural charm he highly doubted he would have. Hell, he hadn't even told Barbara half of what he just discussed with Rowena, and in a god damn Vory safe house too. He needed to be more careful, he chided himself mentally as he walked towards where she was practicing turning in tight circles.

"Shall we go see what Vlad, his cousin, and B., have dug up on our pursuers? Hopefully we'll get something we can use, so we can stop running, so we can get off defense." it felt wrong to be anxious to hurt someone, to anticipate the violence, but there it was. These guys had hit friends, and shattered lives, and he wanted nothing more than to hit them back.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena nods at you and follows you to the stairs leading to the next level up. Her voice goes soft as she says, "Um.............maybe you should go alone this time. I don't think I am ready to....................well, you know."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He stopped, turned to her and knelt alongside the chair, "It's good for you to practice, to learn, and to overcome, but you need to remember that you're not alone in this," he placed a cool metallic hand over her soft, warm one, "I can carry you up the stairs if you'd like, in fact I want to." He squeezed her hand gently, "I just don't want to aggravate your injury, so if it hurts tell me?"

He slid an arm under her legs, beneath the crook of her knees, and another around her shoulders, he did so slowly, bringing his face close to hers, and preparing to lift her out of the chair. He paused, waiting for her response, a warmth spreading through him at being this close to her.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena nods and lets you pick her up, placing her arms around your neck. Her face is quite close to your and she leans forward just a bit to bring her lips into contact with yours, tentatively at first, then harder. You can feel her torso treble a bit but she does not pull away for several seconds. "Sorry. I just wanted......I wanted to do that. Just to feel it once, I guess. I do not want to be a burden to you, Bryant, in any sense of the word. You have already done so much for me and I don't think I can ever repay that, but, well, kissing you seemed like the thing to do at the time. I am so nervous I am just babbling, so you can tell me to shut up at any time."



Author: Zen Gypsy

As her lips found his, he felt something stir within him, he returned the kiss, tentatively at first, and then deeply, hungry for human contact. As she pulled back to apologize, he hushed her, "Shhh, shhhh, no Rowe, don't apologize. I've done nothing, not until we've got out from under the events of yesterday. We can explore everything else once we know you're safe, saavy?"

He brushed her cheek with his lips, then continued up the stairs, holding her under the legs, her arms around his neck while his opposite hand supported her back and shoulders. He walked down the corridor towards the office that Vlad, his cousin and B., had entered when they began the data search. He rapped the door frame with his toe, while he held Rowe in his arms, and despite the situation the weight of her against his chest felt natural, comforting.




Author: Mercy Merchant

Not only does the weight feel natural, but you have no real difficulty holding her and climbing the stairs. She nestles into you during the climb, but as you reach the top she says, "I could let you hold me like this for a long time, Bryant. I feel safe and protected. I hope that I do not let you down. And I will walk again, someday, just wait and see." From the top of the stairs, you can see down the hallway to where two hard men are standing guard at a door.



Author: Zen Gypsy

He shook his head as she spoke, "I don't know why you're talking about letting me down, I don't expect anything, and everything you do give is just ...," he sighed unable to express what he hadn't, subjectively, ever remembered feeling. His slight smile turned to a frown as he looked down the hallway, the two soldiers looked hard, their posture, their stony faces, indicated that they were expecting trouble. He looked down the corridor in the opposite direction, and saw a chair by a small ornamental table across from the guest rooms.

"Those gentlemen don't look as if they've had their morning coffee, why don't you have a seat here and I'll go speak with them, ok?" He gently set her down in the hallway chair, and proceeded to walk towards the two soldiers, returning their hard look with a thousand yard stare of his own. He nodded in greeting, "I need to speak with Vlad, find out where we're at with the data search. Working from his office I assume," he indicated the door they were guarding.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena nods and allows you to put her in the chair at the table. The two men watch you as you walk towards them, but do not seem to take any extraordinary actions. One nods at your question and speaks to you in Russian. The other says something to him then looks at you. "My friend here is playing dumb. I will see if the boss can see you. Will you wait here?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant watched impassively as the translation scrolled across his field of vision, he looked to the gentleman who had spoken to him in Russian, "Playing dumb is a valid tactic, never hurts to have your opponent underestimate you, eh?"

He was resigned, and while he waited for his message to be delivered to Vlad, he flashed a wink at Rowena, the irony was not entirely lost on him.

Author: Mercy Merchant

The second man chuckles as he knocks on the door and enters. The first man plays his role well and does not seem to understand what you have said. The door opens and the second guard motions for you to enter, closing the door behind you and presumably resuming his post. Inside the room, you see Barbara and the young man who had driven the van sitting at a table, slumped back in their chairs and apparently unconscious. Vlad is smoking one of those hideous cigarettes and standing near the table. He motions for you to come over to his desk, where sits and offers you the chair in front. "I do not think they hears us. They are gone to the VR and I do not know when they return." He looks over to where Barbara is sitting and sighs. "She is so beautiful, yes? And brave, too. So many skills in one person. I hope you can say nice thing about me when this is done so I might have a chance at a date? And how is the Miss Rowena? Getting used to her confinement? I have heard that she is determined to walk out of here. Not sure if is possible, but she is brave, too, I think."

"I have been watching up on the news feeds. You are still wanted, my friend. There is a reward for only information and a larger one for informing of your location. It is good for you that I am an honorable man. But there are some in my Bratva that might be tempted, so let us get you away from here as soon as possible, eh?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant spoke softly, "Bound by your obligation to Aisha, your men bound by loyalty to you. I am afraid my presence unbalances your organization, as you would be forced to discipline your own soldiers, quickly and harshly, should they, in fact do, what may be in the best interest of the organization. I understand your predicament, and I hope that we can find information that will allow us to strike out on our own, and therefore absolve you of your duties as host and protector."

He nodded with respect as he continued, "Both B., and myself, understand your predicament, and I hope that, perhaps, once the current situation is resolved that we can count on your continued goodwill. I would be glad to make any reparations that you feel our stay has incurred with either yourself, or your organization."

He almost withdrew a slim, but restrained himself. "B., hates the odor of the Szczepanski, if she jacks out and is in a cloud of that she'd assume it was me," he held out his hand, "let me finish, and you can blame me, yeah?"





Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad holds out his hands. "You are no trouble to me, my friend. You may all stay as long as you need. Any discipline needed I will deal with. My men are loyal to me and to the code. But I will agree that it is better to get it over." He shakes his head when you offer to take the blame for the smoking. "No, thank you my friend. I will take my chances, but I will stop smoking in her presence."



Author: Zen Gypsy

As Vlad spoke, Bryant could only agree."Then best we find the data, and it lead to a conclusion eh?" He paused, smiled at the larger man, "While I am marked by Errant, and I would not want that notoriety to damage your operations, but should you need my services ..."

He left the offer unsaid, "I am not a patient man, and something to do other than waiting would be useful, both to me, and perhaps to you."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad moves to an ashtray and stubs his cigarette out. "Thank you for asking, my friend, but it is unnecessary. I am stopping anything except protecting this neighborhood until you are safe and away. I do have to admit, though, that watching these two do their thing is about as exciting as watching paint dry and I could use a walk. Come with me?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant stood up, stretching his back muscles as Vlad turned towards the door of the small office where his cousin and B., were conducting the data search. "You'll have to allow me a moment to assist Rowe back down the stairs to her chair. At that point, my friend, you will have undivided attention." He stepped into the corridor with Vlad, and nodded casually to the two soldiers still guarding the office door.

He began to walk down the hall towards where Rowe was seated, "They are still jacked in, and I am hoping that's a good sign. Vlad and I are going for a walk, did you want to wait for me up here, or keep practicing in the chair downstairs?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

When you walk back out into the hallway and look down to the small table, you see that is has moved a couple of feet and Rowena is on the floor, trying to pull herself back up and not doing so well. Her face is screwed up in a grimace as she puts another effort into standing and fails again, collapsing and sprawling on the floor. Her hand forms a fist and she beats it against the floor, allowing a small cry of pain or anguish to escape. She opens her eyes and sees you and Vlad and gives a weak smile. There is movement at the stairs and you see one of Vlad's hard men standing there, some sort of fear on his face as he takes a half step towards the fallen girl. She waves him away, saying. "No, I said. Stay away. I have to learn to do this. I have to learn to....................."

Her words are cut off as she lowers her face to her arms and sobs.



Author: Zen Gypsy

He waved off Vlad and his soldiers, walked over to her carefully, slowly. He crouched down beside her and ran his hand over the back of her head, through her hair and then held it out for her, palm up. He spoke, quietly, "No Rowe, what you need to do is learn to accept help ...," he looked at her, his mouth frowning, "when I woke up, they'd taken my arms, my legs were just stumps. I pushed everyone away, I had to do it alone, and it broke me Rowe. I'm empty inside. Until I saw you, until your smile reminded me what I'd pushed away, what I'd rejected."

He reached out, and took her hand, "It's ok to be angry, to be sad, to rage, or to cry. But no matter what you're feeling, you're not alone. You have people you can lean on, you can trust. If you push them away, you risk losing a piece of yourself," he paused, brushed the tear from her eye with his other hand, "and I'm not talking about your back or your ability to walk. You risk losing a piece of Rowena, and you may never get it back."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad and the man at the stairs are having a conversation in Russian as you talk to Rowena. She stops crying and nods, letting you pick her up. She wraps her arms around your neck and buries her head in her chest. You can hear her voice as she says, "I am tired, Bryant. May I go to my room for a bit, please?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He turned and walked down the corridor until he came to the guest room where she and B., had spent the night. He cupped the back of her head with his hand, and turned sideways to get through the door. He flipped the top sheet down, then lowered her to the bed, he sat down on the bedside chair, and began stripping off the work gloves they'd fashioned for the wheelchair.

"Rest easy Rowe, there are going to be good moments, and bad. You'll get through them, you are stronger than you give yourself credit for, but you need to remember that you don't have to do it alone." He ran his thumb back and forth across her palm, massaging the tender heal of her hands, "You get some sleep, I'll be here when you wake up." He squeezed her hand gently, and then placed it atop her other hand, pulling the sheet up for her.

He stood up and walked to the door, looking back before he pulled it closed.

Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad is waiting for you when you return to the hallway. "Will she be alright, my friend? Ivan was downstairs when he heard her fall and ran up to help, but...........well, you saw. She tries to be strong and wants to do it all herself." He shakes his head and offers you a cigarette as you both walk down the hallway to the stairs. The two men are still at the door and he stops to talk to them in Russian then moves on, leading you down the stairs and out the back door into the alley. The narrowness is almost claustrophobic and looking up does nothing to dispel that feeling. It is almost like the building is actually leaning a bit towards the one across from it, thus narrowing the already narrow strip of pavement. He motions to the left and walks that way. You hear a noise behind you and turn your head to see one of Vlad's men stepping out of the door and following you at about fifteen feet. After a short while in which you pass by several doors leading to the building to either side of you, you reach a wider street, that is if you could call a passageway only slightly wider than the alley a street. But there are people walking here, going about their daily lives. Vlad stops at the exit from the alley and motions outward. "My domain, my friend. I am hungry, would you like a meal?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded his head in agreement as Vlad spoke, "She is strong, and she does want to do it all herself." His face tightened some as he brought up his hand and flexed the myomer bundles that were now his muscles, a soft mechanical whine accompanied his motions as he opened and closed his fist, "I understand at least a portion of what she's going through. To have an injury so rapidly change your life it is well ... shocking."

He followed Vlad as he led him through the warehouse towards the rear door that opened on the alley, "That strength, that independence, it is a great blessing during that time, as you recover, and rediscover, relearn, things that you learned as a child. To walk, to climb stairs, to run, all things we learned so long ago, we forget that we had to crawl first." he stepped out into the alley, accepted the smoke from his benefactor, took a deep inhale, and allowed the acrid taste to burn the back of his throat before he continued.

"Problem is Vlad, that strength can be a burden too. If you only know how to fight, to resist, when that storm comes, you don't know how to bend, how to accept help, and you break in more ways than one. She's strong, and proud, I just hope not too strong, or too proud to accept help."

He kept following his host, concerned with the distance from the safe house, he felt as though he could trust the man, but he felt open, exposed, and increasingly aware of the distance from both Rowe and Barbara. Vlad had let him know of the reward being offered for information, and as he followed the older man, he absently wondered how much control he was able to exert over his domain.

Those thoughts began to dissipate in the wind as his host mentioned a solid meal.

"Starved."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods to a small store front across the narrow street. "My sister's place. She does some cooking for the crews. It reminds the old ones of home and teaches the younger ones a bit of the old ways. She does not speak English, although she understands it a bit. But she learned to cook at my mother's knee and has all the best recipes from the Motherland in her head. She would be insulted if you were to find out that I had a guest and did not bring you over to eat. Come, we will be safe there and we are only a block from the warehouse. You will not find better Russian food anywhere else outside the Motherland."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant shrugged his shoulders and crossed the street as he followed Vlad, he had that undeniable itch between his shoulder blades as he kept his hands in the pockets of his long coat, and his head down. He felt as though someone were watching him, like an unseen scope drawing aim on his back as he walked, he didn't like being in public, not given his current status with Errant.

"You'll have to forgive me if my knowledge of Russian cuisine is lacking, so I'll follow your lead as far as what to order, yeah?" If he was honest with himself, he'd have to admit that the idea of a home cooked meal was something of a change for him, since his time in Seattle he'd lived off of restaurants, take out, and noodle shops. His loft had a kitchen, but it wasn't used for anything other than warming up left overs from various take out containers or cartons of freeze dried krill.

Even as he walked, he kept his eyes down, but he watched the crowds carefully, looking for signs of recognition, or vectored movement that would indicate a tail, two or three people drew his eye, but when they didn't immediately respond to him, he started to understand what he was seeing. Vlad, himself, was respected in the community, and the afternoon crowd was responding to his presence.

"Your crew," he paused, "you, take care of this area? Haven't noticed any brown outs, seems that most folks have working utilities, water, heat, power." He shrugged, "I know of a few folks in the Barrens, some owe me favors, some I owe. Your domain, as you call it, seems well maintained. Well provided." He withdrew his hand from his pocket, flicked the ash from the Slim dangling from his lips, inhaled, held it, the bitter smoke lazily drifting upwards obscuring his sharp cheekbones, curling around his mirrored shades.

"Lesser men in your position would hoard their resources, provide for their crew, let the locals fend for themselves. Not you it seems."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods his head as you cross the street. "Do not mistake me for a real do-gooder, my friend. There is a seamy side to all this tranquility., but I try to keep it hidden as much as possible. I am......we are Vory. At the heart of the Vory concept is the idea of a family, the Bratva. This community is my family. I take care of them and they, in turn take care of me. It all works. The prostitutes here are not slaves and get a decent cut of their earnings, the crippled and maimed are provided for, there are few that go hungry. But to get all of this they contribute in their own ways. Family."

He opens the door for you and ushers you into a small dining area with three tables. One is empty and waiting, but the others are full of people eating. Aromas of food being prepared waft out from the kitchen. A young girl of maybe twelve or so motions you to a seat and greets Vlad like an old customer. She does not provide menus and stares just a bit too long at your arms before blushing and looking back to Vlad. He rattles off some Russian and the girl nods before disappearing. "I took the liberty of ordering some of her best dishes, her specialities. I hope it is to your liking."



Author: Zen Gypsy

As Vlad explained the meaning of bratva, or family, Bryant could only nod. "You are our host, and you have put your bratva, your family, at risk by offering us sanctuary, even if only for a brief time. I am aware of the Vory by reputation and rumor alone, as such I can only judge you for the face that you choose to show me, and that is the face of a respected ally and a friend. But never for a second did I believe that either you, or your bratva, were anything less than you are. Hard men, in hard times., but you live by a code and I can respect that."

He smiled at the young girl, "No need to be afraid little one, you can look if you wish, I am not ashamed of something that is now a part of me." He waved at the young girl, then turned his attention back to Vlad.

"I am glad you made the choice, everything I smell from the kitchen smells," he paused, "rich, hearty. I do not know the dishes, so I will defer to you."



Author: Mercy Merchant

The girl reaches out shyly and touches one of your arms, almost jumping at the feel. She seems transfixed until Vlad says something to her and she almost jumps before running off to the kitchen. She returns with plates and flatware for the table, none of it really matching, but it is serviceable and clean. After another moment looking at your arm, she walks to the other tables and refills drinks before removing empty plates and glassware. All of the plates you see are scraped clean, which is a good sign in a restaurant. Before long, two bowls of a rich soup are brought to you and Vlad sniffs loudly before smiling and taking his first spoonful. The aroma is almost intoxicating, but that is eclipsed by the taste. Vlad's sister is an artist in the kitchen and it shows in the quality of the food. Sure, almost all of it is soy, but she makes it taste like the real thing.

People come and go from the other two tables and the young girl attends to everyone, seeming to be the sole waitress and busgirl. Vlad looks at you at quietly says, "I do not wish to pry too much, my friend, but do you notice how Miss Rowena looks at you?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant finished a mouthful of the borscht, savoring the earthy taste of both beets and cabbage, "I was injured, arms, legs, irreparable, inoperable. I am, however, still alive. I am a man. I've seen the looks." He smiled at his friend over the generous plates that had been set in front of them, "She is a bright light, in a dark, dirty world. I can allow myself to think of the future, to hope, but think Vlad. I've been involved in her life for just over 24 hours now, and what damage has that done? How much more will occur if I stay? Or allow her to."

He set down his spoon, tapped a small circular scar near his temple, "Since my injuries, since a man tried to execute me, what I know of my past is learned from files, from footage. It is all, second hand knowledge. Everything before this," he flexed his cybernetic prosthetic, "is just an echo. So, in a way, I've never known, never experienced what she offers, or what I am feeling now, for her."

He paused, closed his eyes a moment, steadied his breathing, "I don't wish to bring more harm, more hurt, more loss to her life. Yet, perhaps selfishly, I don't wish to see her leave either." He shrugged, "Life, eh? She's never easy."

"We are hard men Vlad, we lead hard lives. We both know when this thing ends it will be in blood, mine or theirs. Perhaps when she sees that blood, sees that I am willing to spill it, she will make her choice. Perhaps it will be for the best, perhaps not." He smiled, almost sadly, "Either way, I will enjoy her company until that time."



Author: Mercy Merchant

The borscht is followed by several courses of food, all quite tasty and filling. Vlad nods at your words as he eats. "Yes. Life and women....................both are so hard to understand at times. It is good that you leave her with a choice, but make sure then that she gets a choice and do not make it for her in her best interests. I still have a scar on my heart from where a woman thought it best for me that she leave me. I would have wished differently but got no chance to tell her that." He will look at you for a bit and open his mouth to say something but close it withour speaking. All too soon, the meal is over and he stands. A dark-haired woman comes out from the kitchen and hugs him. He introduces her to you as his sister, Olena. She nods at you and says hello, which appears to be her only word in English.



Author: Zen Gypsy

He smiled at Olena, and nodded. "I am Bryant, and I want to thank you for the meal. Your cooking, it is ... c'est bon." He looked to Vlad, at a loss, "Please tell her that I am honored that she would take the time to feed me, a stranger. Her cooking, it is wonderful." He continued to smile at the woman as Vlad translated.

As she left the table side, he turned back to Vlad, "Thank you for sharing Vlad, your home, your food, your family. Your concern seems genuine, and while I do not doubt that you more than capable of making hard decisions, even if those choices result in blood, or worse. I find you a man of good character, and I appreciate your honesty, and your questions in regards to my own decisions. I think, perhaps, there is some truth in what you say, and I will be sure to allow her to make her own choices."

He looked back towards the kitchen, the aroma still in the air, "Any chance Olena would have the time to prepare the borsch for B., when she returns from the data search, and Rowe when she awakens? Not to create work for your sister, nor to be presumptuous, I just know that they would enjoy it. Home cooking, it comes from the heart, yea?"

Author: Mercy Merchant

After some back and forth interpretation, Olena smiles at you and leans in to kiss your cheek, talking in Russian. Vlad tells you that some will be sent over for the women and that you are welcome to eat here any time you like. After some more talking between Vlad and his sister, the gangster boss takes you back out onto the street and across to the narrow alleyway, eventually returning to the rear door of his warehouse. All is quiet when you enter the building and Vlad asks about his nephew and Barbara, finding out that they are still in la la land. Vlad shrugs and looks at you. "I see not real reason to disturb them in their work. I will go to get some paperwork done and check on some things I cannot let slide too long. Please, feel free to look around the building all you want."



Author: Zen Gypsy

"Do not let me keep you from your responsibilities my friend," he clasped the man on the shoulder, "I will be upstairs, perhaps if she is awake, I will discuss things with Rowe. I'll see you later this afternoon." As he walked the stairs up towards the guest rooms, he cursed the inactivity, but at the same time he looked towards it rationally, once things began, he would not have time to pause, or reflect.

He nodded to the two guards further down the hall, and stole quietly into Rowena's room. She was on the bed, her back to the door, so he could not tell if she was awake or not. At first he thought to move the chair to the bedside and simply watch over her, but reconsidered, unsure of how much time he would have with her. He crept into bed with her, pressing his chest to her back and draped an arm over her protectively. His face pressed into the soft tangle of her hair, he inhaled, content; he closed his eyes.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena seems asleep as you slide onto the bed next to her, but she stirs a bit, clasping the hand you put around her in one of hers. She holds it against her and sighs in her sleep. Even though you are both clothed, you are pressed against a very pretty woman and your body reacts to that closeness, letting your brain know it is interested in her, as if your brain needed any reminding. Confusing thoughts keep you awake fro a few minutes as you ponder the irony of finally finding a woman you can get close to and who wants you, only to have that woman be paralyzed. These thought give way to a need for rest and you fall asleep, comfortably curled up next to her.

A knocking at the door wakes you. On its own, your hand has migrated upward and is cupping the soft mound of one of Rowena's breasts. Her hand is still clasped on top of yours. Another knock. She takes your hand from her breast and kisses the palm as she says, "Will you get that, Bryant dear? Then come back to bed if it is nothing important. I like the feel of you next to me." As you get out of the bed, you realize that your body is indeed aroused at the closeness. The man at the door hands you a large container of what must be the borscht from the aroma coming from it.. He tells you that the others are still in the room doing their matrix stuff. He nods and leaves. Shutting the door, you turn to see that Rowena has turned and is not on her back. She pats the bed next to her and says, "That smells good. Come back to bed and let's talk. I am sorry for being so emotional earlier. And I really like the feel of you next to me, although I am not sure that you want to hear that."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded his thanks to Vlad's man as he accepted the borscht. He carried the bowl over to the bed and sat cross legged, he does a spoon into the thick soup and held it to her lips, "For your strength, courtesy of Olena, Vlad's sister."

He smiled down at her as she tried the soup tentatively, "We discussed you, Vlad and I. He finds your strength and determination intriguing. In that, I would have to agree." He paused, took a spoonful of the soup himself, "In talking with him, I came to a realisation, that we both, you and I, are making assumptions about what the other feels, wants, or desires. I feel as though a woman like you, intelligent, honest, kind, could not possibly wish to be with a man such as myself, a man who feels he has put you in considerable risk and so tragically altered your life."

He paused, looked away, "You have told me that you do not feel that way, yet I allow my own guilt to interfere, even as you tell me otherwise. You, yourself, seen to think i could not be attracted to you, because you feel damaged, broken, those feelings affect how you think I see you."

He set the bowl down on the night stand, "Those feelings could not be further from the truth." He reached out and ran a thumb over her full lips, the neurotransmitters interpreting the tactile sensation if her lips, the heat of her breath, "You are vibrant Rowe, beautiful, vibrant, and alive. When I look at you, I feel alive in a way I never thought I could feel. I feel whole in a way that I can't remember ever feeling."

He leaned close, his lips finding purchase against hers, his arms encircling her pulling her close to him, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against his chest.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena sighs as you kiss her. Her lips are surprisingly firm and they part to let her tongue press against your lips, this time probing, seeking entrance. Her body does feel good pressed against yours, warm and inviting. She places a hand on your chest and strokes it before taking one of your hands and guiding it to her breast. Your hand seems to have a mind of its own as it molds her breast and your thumb rubs circles around her hardening nipple, eliciting a low moan from her. Her hand has returned to your chest and now strokes downward, exploring what she can reach. She gasps a bit when she reaches the growing evidence of your arousal. Rowena strokes you through your pants as she breaks from the kiss to say, "I may not be completely a woman for a bit, but I will be, I promise you. Nothing will keep Mr. Bryant's girlfriend from recovering; that is, if you want me for a girlfriend. In the meantime, though, I do know other ways to satisfy a man's needs. Why don't you lay back and let me?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

As she finished her words, as the weight of them stuck home, he placed a solitary finger over her soft, full lips. "Shhhh ...," he leaned forward kissed her around his own finger, even dragging it down slightly as he noted it with his teeth, "Don't do that, don't disparage yourself as less than a woman because if your injury. It doesn't define you, it doesn't make you any less desirable, or beautiful."

He sighed, her affections, her tender ministrations had riser something in him that he thought long dead. A desire, smouldering beneath the surface, a human desire, something that he had not let himself feel since the procedure that had, ultimately, saved his life. In the past year he had allowed himself to wander through life, like a ghost, or an echo, but not experience it. And certainly not live it.

"Please Rowe, listen to my words. Don't try to read into them, because I never want to tell you anything less than the truth. You have no idea how much I want to feel your body pressed to mine, but I need to remind myself of where we are and why we're here. As much as I find myself looking, and even trusting Vlad, he's a mobster, for perhaps one of the most notoriously violent criminal organisations out there. And we have anonymous men hunting us, trying to locate us, to extract information to their own ends."

He sighed, nibbled her lip a little as he lost himself in her eyes. Blue, piercing, like they were able to look into whatever soul he had left, whatever soul he hadn't traded for chrome and carbon edged steel.

He was concerned his words would hurt her, that she'd read them as rejection when it was the furthest from the truth. His truth.

"I don't like where we are Rowe, I don't feel safe, I feel vulnerable, exposed. I want to be with you so badly, it has kindness subverting i had thought died on the table when they put me back together. But not here, not now. I'm responsible for you, for B., and if I drop my guard, no matter how much I want to, is never forgive myself if that moment of want, of desire led to us getting captured ...," he left unsaid his deepest fear, the fear that a moment of weakness could lead to her death.

Even the thought of it caused moisture to accumulate in the silicon tubes that had replaced his tear ducts when his damaged organics had been replaced by his Ikon-Ziess cybereyes.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena sighs and nods as she settles against you, removing her hand from where it had been stroking you. Through all your words you have not removed your hand, which seems to be acting on some instinct you might have thought to be lost or buried deeply in the man you had been before. The soft mound in your palm feels damned good and the nipple is hard against your thumb, even through the material of her shirt and bra. She giggles slightly and says, "I have to say that I have never had a metal hand on my breasts before, but yours feels so right. I hope that you know what it feels like to have you cupping my like this. You can spend some time on the other one if you like. After all, it is probably not polite to favor one while ignoring the other. I think I read somewhere that such unequal treatment of a woman's tits can create a mental imbalance of some sort. Of course, that could be pure drek, but are you willing to risk it? In any case, I understand what you are saying and support your decision, but I have to say that I think your thumb is not listening to your brain and neither is another part of you, unless that was a roll of coins in your pants."



Author: Zen Gypsy

His hand slid, slowly, across her chest. His fingers gently tracing the swell and curve of her breast, circling the nipple, his thumb stroking, gently. As he did so, he nibbled at the lobe of her ear, the scent of her hair, intoxicating. "Thank you," he smiled playfully, "plus, I plan to fully explore your body, touch it, taste it, inhale your very essence. And that would take more time than any sort of data search that B.'s been up to."

He pulled her close to him, his arousal almost painful. "Lets rest for a few more Rowe, then finish Olena's borscht, and get back to working with the chair." He squeezed her soft flesh playfully, "Deal?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena inhales loudly as your hand moves from one breast to the other. "Mmmmm. That is more like it. I am all for equal treatment for women's tits. And your hand makes mine feel.......so.........so...........oh God, so good, Bryant. Right now I want you to undress me and taste these fully. I want your lips to pull gently at the nipples and excite me. I want to be in your arms and not be afraid. Mr. Bryant's woman wants to know how long will she have to wait? By the way, if I am to change who I am, it might help to know your last name."

She pretends to relaxe next to you, letting your hand work it miracles on her breasts, her breathing betraying her arousal. There is a knock on the door that interrupts you. "My friend, I hate to disturb you, but my nephew and Barbara have finished their work and would like to talk to us. Are you available?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He whispered into her ear, "Champagne," he nipped her ear playfully, and as the inevitable knock came he smiled, almost playfully. "Told you we didn't want to start anything we wouldn't have time to finish," he gently tugged on her hardened nipple, then switch postions and slide his arms behind her back and beneath her knees. He stood easily, and walked towards the door, and toed it open.

"Shall we go downstairs then, get Rowe settled in her chair? She's as much a part of this as either B., or I, and deserves to know what we've found, yeah?"

Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena smiles and catches her breath as you remove your hand from her breast, a soft moan escaping her lips. Her face is a bit flushed as you pick her up and she sweeps her arms around you, placing her lips to yours in a kiss as you carry her. Once in the hallway, Vlad looks from one of you to the other then says, "Yes, well. No, I was actually thinking of doing the meet in the room up here so your friend would not have to go far." He points to the wheelchair just behind him. "I had it brought up for you."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded in thanks, and as Vlad unfolded the chair, securing the brakes, he lowered Rowe into it. He then turned to the bedside table and retrieved her gloves, tossing them to her casually. "You should finish off the borscht, it'll do you good. You'll need to work on your strength," he smirked at his own innuendo.

He, himself took a seat on the edge of the bed, and looked towards Vlad. "Hopefully you got your paperwork done my friend? My nap, though short, was much needed. Who knows when next I'll be able to get a good night's sleep, though if the data pays off, perhaps we can start to cause our pursuers a few restless nights, eh?"

He took the bowl of borscht, and handed it to Rowe, his fingers lingering over hers for a moment or two before releasing it into her grasp.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad looks at the two of you with expressionless eyes. "Yes, a nap. I see. And yes, young woman, you should eat of the borscht as it will help you recover what strength you might have used. And, Bryant, my friend. The paperwork is never done when you are at the top.....................even when the anthill is only as large as a neighborhood. Shall we go? We can warm up the borscht when we get back from talking to our information seekers, eh?"

He laughs at some private joke and leads the way down the hall to the guarded room. Both Barbara and the young man who was driving the van earlier are sitting and eating. You can see empty bowls of what appears to be borscht and partially finished plates of what you had eaten for lunch. The aromas in the room almost make you forget why you are here. Almost. Barbara seems quite excited and pushes her plate away. "Boss. We found a couple of things. One the KE already knows about for sure, but then something we don't think they know about yet. Maybe. At least there is no open chatter about it. And there is something else that Viktor and I disagree on.......sort of disagree. I think it is important and relevant, but he thinks it is important but not relevant."

Vlad holds up his hands. "Please can we wait until we are all seated? Thank you." He moves a chair away from the table so Rowena can roll her chair up then motions for you to have a seat as he sits down. He looks at Barbara. "Now, please, Barbara."

"OK, here we go. The news the KE knows about is that one of the gunmen has been found. His bullet riddled body was discovered in an alley several blocks from Mercy General. The bullet wounds were all caused by the type of rounds that KE uses........................all except one. His other wounds would have been serious and might even have proved fatal without good care, but it was the bullet he took to the back of his head the made sure of him. KE is supposing that he was so badly injured that his mates did not want him taken to a care facility where he might talk and so killed him. They have identified the dead man as one Gordy Valens, a former member of the Wild Riders, a go-gang that ran on some of the local highways but stayed away from the bigger go-gangs. They apparently have denied that he is still a member, saying that he left a few weeks back to be a full-time merc with some outfit. Now, all of this info is being kept from the public, but it is going to break pretty soon. KE can't seem to keep good secrets."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded as he processed the information, he kept a hand draped on the arm rest of Rowe's wheelchair. He looked up, scanning the faces in the room, and then began to speak, looking directly at B.,"Seems like our best bet is to dig into Valens before Errant does, reach out to the Riders, find out any info they may have on the merc unit he signed up with. It's likely that we'll need to determine the location of, and physically search this guys residence, and any boltholes he may have had. Start working through his connections," he paused, restrained the impulse to reach for his last Slim, and continued, "after all they say no man's an island."

"The guy I got to talk, said they worked in cells, the leader of each cell being the only one aware of the contract, or drop point. Thing is, if we go down this road, we're hitting folks for info that K.E.'s going to want, and we're tampering with evidence if we search Valens place." He shrugged, "it's something to consider, we go from being persons of interest, to criminal charges. So if you want out, say so, though I plan on seein' this thing through til the end. I owe those bastards, and I'm going to be the one to put 'em under."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad cannot help but laugh. "Sorry my friend. It just struck me as a bit funny to have that question asked here. So far, I see no reason to back out."

B gives you a look but does not answer your question. "Now, we have also found something we do not think the KE is onto as yet. It is off on a tangent, but we can assume that the KE has smart officers and will eventually go this route. There is a hiring board for mercs in St Petersburg, Russia. Just something I picked up from a former employer. Not many people know about it outside of that arena of business. But I checked it out and there was a lot of activity on the board starting about four weeks ago. Sampson Industries was ostensibly hiring people to protect its interests in the Congo. Thing is, there is no Sampson Industries. It is a shell corp. that does no real business, in the Congo or anywhere else. However, it does hold a major interest in a small company called Liston Pharmaceuticals. Now these guys are different. They are apparently a legitimate company, but they have fingers in some pretty sketchy stuff, mostly bio-weapons research. Very low key. Very hush-hush. Very dangerous. All their funding comes from Sampson Industries, but guess where Sampson gets their funds? The links are very tight and we probably broke a ton of laws, but it appears to me that three of the listed board members of the corp, to include the CFO, are well-placed Yaks. But the really odd part is that these three people represent different groups of Yaks from different countries. The other three board members, to include the CEO are Renraku suits. But not people currently at the top tiers of that AAA. Just mid-level suits. Odd, huh?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant shook his head, in a good natured manner and spoke with a wry grin on his face, "No I wasn't asking the career crime boss if he wanted out for interfering with an ongoing investigation, I just wanted to be sure my people, B., Rowe, were aware of where this was headed."

He listened as B., ran through the shell corporation breakdown, bio-weapons, Yakuza, and Renraku mid-level execs. "So where does the corp who this team hit fall in this hierarchy? Was he connected to Sampson's financial backers? So this shell company, Sampson is protecting it's interests in the Congo, does Liston Pharma have a facility there? Research, production or otherwise?"

He felt bad about badgering B., with questions, but this was alot to process, and he needed to try to wrap his head around how the different players were connected.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara smiles. "Got part of it in one, boss. The suit that hired us was a Sampson board member until just about four weeks ago. No idea yet if he left or was ousted as the financial statement just indicates that he left. He was one of the AAA suits and was replaced pretty quickly by another. I could find no labs or any other sort of listed facility in the Congo for Sampson or Liston Pharma. Still digging, though. But that leads to the next part. So far the two of us are in agreement that this is the line we need to look at, but I think there is a link to what happened in Bogata today." She looks around at the blank faces. "Bogata? Colombia? OK, there was a major explosion set off in their capital district earlier today. The Finance Minister seems to have been the primary target, but a lot of people died when the bomb went off. FARC is claiming credit for the assassination, calling for the removal of any politician that is trying to keep the oppressed people of Colombia from sharing the vast wealth of the nation. All drek. In the first place, FARC is all old guys now and has not done anything like this in twenty years. In the second place, Colombia does not have much in the way of natural resources anymore except for some drugs that no one really uses. Sure, they could have injected some new blood into the old fart society, but this was never their style. Kidnappings and local assassinations, yes, but big bombs no." She holds up her hand then smiles. "And bingo. This just in from my agent. The Finance Minister had been publicly opposed to allowing Liston Pharma to open a facility in that country. The company had done a full-court press for their side, citing improved economy, jobs, and the like, but the minister was not buying it and since he has............had............the ear of the president, it was assumed that the deal was over. This could breathe fresh life into that proposal."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant's mind was reeling, the resources that their assailants could draw on, the personnel available to them, their foe was turning out to be monolithic. He tried to control his breathing, bring it down to a smaller scale, a personal level.

"Ok, so let me see if I have this straight, our employer, a former member of this shell corporation who is backing Liston Pharma, approached Raleigh. We were contracted to transport a drop, from party unknown, back to our employer. This unknown party, contracted an independent courier to bring the drop to Washington Rec, where they were to transfer said drop to myself." He paused, and wished to hell he had a whiskey in his hand. "A third party, presumably Sampson, contracted a retrieval team, possibly through the St Petersburg Merc Network, to obtain the drop that, our employer, the former Sampson board member had wanted possession of. On a time table the Sampson mercs hit our employer, the courier office, Washington Rec, and when they got wind that Rowe had survived with only verbal confirmation of the drop, they hit Mercy as well."

He pondered, "So whatever is in that drop, is vital to Sampson, perhaps something that the retired board member was going to use to blackmail the board, to secure his own safety, or bring to his corp to make it from mid-manage to a boardroom seat in Renraku. Knowing who and what we're up against is sound tactics, but if we want to be able to get out from under this we need to find out what the hell the drop was."

He raised an eyebrow, looked up, scanning the assembled faces, "Am I missing anything?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Both of the hackers shake their heads. Vlad looks concerned. "Bryant, my friend. It appears that you have brought a real shit storm to my door. Renraku and the Yaks? We are up against some serious horses here." He shakes his head. "I may have doomed the neighborhood. Still, we are painted in a corner with you, now. What do we do now to try to survive this? You have access to anything I have."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He raised his eyebrows at Vlad, "We? You continue to surprise me Vlad, this is a big ask and I am not sure that I'll be able to repay it." He shrugged, looked to Rowe, smiled, almost sadly, "But if it keeps Rowe safe, I'll do what it takes to see this through."

He leaned back closed his eyes, and tried to consider the growing number of variables, and how to approach the situation and it's multitude of implications. "Ok, so we have to assume that Raleigh was originally contracted to retrieve the drop because it was valuable enough to leverage Sampson and it's mercs to back off their former board member, right? So the drop has to be our priority." He pointed at Rowe, "We have the key, verbal confirmation, a passcode, we just need to determine what it unlocks. Secondly, the Columbia connection. If Liston had to use their Sampson mercs to remove the Columbian Finance Minister so they could open a facility in Columbia, then there is a faction of the government who opposed to the idea, right? Are any rep's from the Minister's cabinet in Seattle at this time? If we reach out to them, we can try to leverage what we know, they can discredit Liston, and then the deal goes away. That buys us some allies, and possibly resources to shut this Sampson power play down."

Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena puts her hand on yours and gently squeezes it. Barbara looks at the two of you and smiles, giving you a quick wink and nod before saying. "I can get on that, Boss. Let me get a nap and a meal under my belt and I'll be good for another few hours on the trix. We will see what we can find."

Vlad nods. "You can have anything you need, Miss Barbara. And, Bryant, my friend, I have some influence with a couple of the other Bratvas in Seattle. Would you like me to contact them and get some additional muscle?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant squeezed her slender hand, reassuringly, then stood up and crossed the room to Vlad. He extended a hand,"Thank you, to you and your men, you risk no small thing by aiding me. As always, should you wish me to leave your domain, I will respect your wishes, as host," and he held his friends eyes, "and friend."

He considered the offer, "For now, anonymity is our weapon, if we can keep my location under wraps, our opponent would not know where to locate me. I can stay off the grid, though perhaps, we could leave false trails, that lead Errant to organizations, or operations of your rivals who do not wish their scrutiny?"

He paused, "In time we will need allies, others of your family. But we need to know where to strike, before we gather our soldiers, don't you think?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad shrugs and laughs. "Hey, you know us gangster types......we just love to crack heads. Right now, I am more than ready to do something, but I see the wisdom in your words. I will keep you a secret for as long as possible. And maybe a KE visit to some of my contemporaries would not be a bad thing. But no, KE is riddled with spies and sloths, all willing to take money and many of them would sell their mistresses for a large wad of nuyen. I would hate it if it got out that I had been responsible for that sort of harassment. So, it is back to the waiting while my nephew and Barbara go back to this VR to get more information?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant contemplated Vlad's words, "Sadly, the best option I believe Vlad. Though like you, I prefer to take action, rather than remain idle, but if there is nothing I can do that would start to repay the debt to you," he paused, leaving his offer largely unsaid, "though any action I take could risk exposure."

He shrugged, defeated. He hated being hunted, he hated waiting, and there was nothing to do but gather information, and while he wasn't skilled pursuing data trails in the Virtual world, he was skilled at the run down, interview and interrogation techniques that could provide results in the real world. But to do that, he would be needlessly exposed, and therefore risk revealing himself and those he cared about to retribution from their pursuers, the Sampson mercenaries.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara nods and shrugs as she settles back down in the chair. In a few seconds she is giving a good impression of someone who has fallen asleep at the table, along with the young man in the chair next to hers. Vlad walks around and puts a hand on the shoulder of each and looks over at you. "I got this for now, Bryant. I might call you in later, though." Rowena gives Barbara a look then backs away from the table and turns to the door.



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded, "Just because I am an impatient man, does not mean that they had to continue without sufficient rest." He shrugged his shoulders as he moved to open the door for Rowena, "Though if they feel they are capable of continuing, who am I to argue eh?" He nodded as he left the small room, "Should you need anything my friend, don't hesitate to ask, and should you have any task that needs doing, please, you know where I am."

He proceeded down the hall, to catch up with Rowe, "You are getting faster, do you wish to continue to practice, or is there perhaps something else on your mind?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena turns to look at you and nods. "I am not sure, Bryant. I know that I am very ready to please you as much as I physically can, but I am not sure that you want that yet. Would you like to chat over some caf? Maybe find out what makes Mr. Champagne's woman tick, and maybe dishing a bit on what I should know about you?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He sighed with longing, remembering the heat of her body against his, and how her very presence was able to make him react on a physical, almost primal level. "It's not that I don't want," he bent over and whispered in her ear, "it's just that in situations like this, I," he paused, "we, need to be ready to move at a moments notice, like tightly wound springs. Your touch, your body, your kiss, it all makes me unwind, lose the tension that's keeping me ready for action, ready to move forward, to see this through. When all this is over, we can spend, hours, days, unwinding with one another, not minutes, or seconds."

"Coffee though, does sound nice, and I am an open book, if you have questions, ask, and if I have the answers," he shrugged, "they're yours."



Author: Mercy Merchant

The cafpot is downstairs and you can go get a couple of cups before returning to Rowena's room. When you go in, you find her sitting at the table in the wheelchair. She smiles at you and motions to the other chair, sniffing at the aroma of the caf in your hands. "So, where do you want to start?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He reached forward, and squeezed her hand. "With a promise." Bryant looked into her eyes, his amber and gold irised Ikon-Ziess eyes betraying none of the depth of emotion he felt, "Despite not knowing what the future brings," he scoffed, "hell, I don't even know my past, but I know that I care for you, and that I want to get through this, whatever this is, to be able to figure out who I am, and who you are. To see who we are, together."

He shrugged, sat back, smiled. "Ask me anything you want Rowe, if I remember, I'll answer true."

Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena grimaces and laughs. "Oh, the irony. After years of living in the shadow of Mrs. Calder, I finally find a man who is interested in me. And I am very interested in him, only now I am just half a woman. Still, I half to remind myself that it will not remain this way and I will walk again. But what if I don't, Bryant. Would I still be Mr. Champagne's woman or...................or what? Could you live with a woman that you have to take care of all the time?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant shook his head and smiled ruefully, "You can't let circumstances define you Rowe, you're either a woman, or you aren't. I've never thought of you as less than a woman, because of your injury. An injury you received because you cared, about me, a stranger, and were willing to jump a gunmen to try to save my life, a strangers life." He squeezed her hand, "I haven't thanked you for that, and I don't know that I ever can."

His face turned serious once again as he continued, "I've made some enemies in my life Rowe, and sadly, my condition prevents me from knowing who from my past is either friend, or foe. If you accept me into your life, if you choose to share your life with mine, then that choice comes with a risk of those enemies trying to get to me through you." He chuckled a moment, "I told Vlad that you'd be better off without me in your life, that you'd be able to heal, to recover, in safety, without worrying about what was coming over the horizon. He told me that it would be unfair of me to make your decision for you."

"So the question really becomes, not could I live with a woman whom I have to help through her recovery, but could you live with a man who is hunted by his past?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena has a serious look on her face. "Mr. Champagne's woman has already made up her mind, Mr. Champagne. I am very much willing to see this through with you. Frag all the people hunting you from your past. Or your present. I do not hate the men that did this to me, but I deeply regret that it had to happen on the day I met you. For some reason, I could tell there was a bit of a difference in the way you looked at me. Most of the men at the beach were just interested in looking at my boobs and butt, but I got the impression that you were seeing something a bit differently. Maybe not, but that is what I thought. As it is, you might have never even thought much about me if this had not happened. It is a cruel twist of fate that I find the man of my dreams in this fashion. But I will walk again................................"

She stops for a moment and wipes at some tears in her eyes. "Listen, I have been dancing about it for a while and am about to explode because I do not know how you feel and don't want to put undue pressure on you. But I cannot leave it unsaid. You could go out with Vlad and do something or face our enemies and I might not see oyu again and would never have told you that I am in love with you. There............pretty silly, eh? I barely know you, but I am sure in my mind and heart that you are the Mister Right for me. I am willing to go beyond Mr Champagne's woman to be your lover and your...............wife, if you want it to go that far, that is. So I hope that answers the question for you. If that is still too vague, I would definitely want to stay with you for the rest of my life and face down anyone hunting you from your past, present, and future. You are the man I want to spend all time with. So, here is the point where you can leave the room if this bothers you. It's not like I can chase very far after you. But if you........if you stay, I will do my damned best to be someone you can fall in love with in time."

She stops and gives you an odd sort of look while waiting for an answer.



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant cupped her hand, held it to his cheek his close, clipped, beard harsh and wiry against the back of her hand. "You know Rowena, since my procedure, since I took a bullet to the head, I haven't felt too clearly about anything. Everything's muted, washed out, grey. Since then I've learned all the ugly things this world has to offer, fear, betrayal, pain, anger." He sighed, kissed a fingertip, lightly, "When I sat down at your table, it was biz as normal, make a meet, accept a drop. Except there was this one thing, one person, and she took my breath away. Bright, and clear, and beautiful for the first time I could remember."

He looked up at her, his cold, amber gold irises narrowing as he stared at her face, the structure of her cheeks, the arch of her nose, the bow of her lips. "I don't know what love feels like, because I can't remember feeling anything from my life before. I just know that I want to, I want to mean something, to someone, not anyone, but someone of worth, of value. I lead a dangerous life, I do dangerous things, and I like to think that I do them for the right reasons. But deep down, I know, that one day those dangerous things will catch up to me."

He reached out, his hands curling through her hair to stroke the nape of her neck as he leaned closer, "You're a good person Rowe, honest, caring, and stronger than you know. I don't want to hurt you, and part of me is so scared to hold you close that I feel as though I should walk away to save you the pain. The other part of me, the stronger part, the selfish part, doesn't ever want to let you go."

He leaned in his lips brushing against her, tentatively at first, then deepening, exploring, tasting, the soft wetness of her lips, her tongue, her breath. "My past is an illusion, and the future unknown," he exhaled, almost breathlessly, "you don't have to do a damn thing to make me love you Rowe," he renewed the kiss passionately, before breaking off to look into her eyes, "because I think I already do."





Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena places her arms around your neck and returns your kisses. When you break and tell her you love her, you can see a light in her eyes that grabs and holds you. "Then we had best be about getting to the bottom of this thing because Mr. Champagne's woman desperately wants Mr. Champagne laying next to her in bed. I will take whatever part of you you feel you can give. I want to share your life, not hide from it. No secrets or lies, except you can tell me I look pretty even on my worst days. I love you, Bryant, and want to be with you as much as you can spare. Talk to me about major plans and do not leave me out of things just for my own good without talking to me first. I deserve a chance to make a choice about my fate. With your love, I know that I can rise past this chair and walk again."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He nodded, kissing her forehead, cupping her face in his hands, "No secrets then, and yes Rowe. We'll get out from under this soon enough."

No secrets, no lies. Problem was, honesty was brutal, and he risked losing it all. He leaned back, closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, preparing himself for the worst. "I live a life below the radar, Rowe, only a legitimate UCAS citizen by degrees, if you looked at my SIN it doesn't flag me as Bryant, as far as any government or corporation is concerned, he died almost a year ago. You may compromise your SIN just by associating with me, you would lose all legitimacy in your private life, flagged by the UCAS as a criminal at best, a terrorist at worst. That label would affect you, your family, your mother, your brothers."

He paused, opened his eyes and sat forwards, his forearms resting on his thighs, "It's something to think about Rowe, because by any definition of the word, I'm a criminal, a corporate saboteur, and worse. And now with everything else going on, who knows what Errant will decide to blame on me if they can't apprehend the real perps."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena laughs, "Then we had better catch the perps, right? So I compromise my SIN. I would toss it in the soy processor if it means I get to stay with you. And my family? Yeah, I care about them, but I am now Mr. Champagne's woman and you are my family, too. The only thing that matters is whether you love me enough. And enough is a very big word. Could you love me enough to put up with what I expect might be some pretty serious mood swings as I try to cope with this chair? Could you love me enough to not lie to me. To allow me to share your life and your problems? Togetherness is not a one-way street; it takes both people working together to reach a common goal. I will get out of this chair someday and that is a guarantee that you can take to the bank. I do thank you for sharing things, so is there anything about me that you need some clarification about?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He smiled, "What do you listen to," he paused, his eyes shifted their focus, he reached, stroking her arm and shoulder as he stood up,"because while you'll be working your ass off to get out of that chair, I'll have my work cut out for me learning how to dance. After all, wouldn't want to embarrass you on our first dance, yeah?"

As he stood up, he hit the locks on the wheels of her chair, "Ready for some exercise? I want you to try transfer yourself from the floor to your chair, think you can do that? You'll need to pull your legs over towards your hips, then scooch your butt towards the chair, once you get over there, put your palms on the seat, and try to lift yourself up and back. Think you can do that, it'll be tiring, but don't get frustrated, just take it one step at a time."

While she worked on it, he continued to talk, to take her mind off of the physical exertion, "So, I was thinking, if your willing to open up your financials and your credit, we might be able to use your SIN, I am sure our perps are looking for it, and if it flags they'll have to investigate it. If we can intercept and nab one of them we might be able to learn more about them, link them to some of that data that B.'s digging up."

As she struggled her helped her, encouraging, "Good, good Rowe. Lets keep it going, can you give me another one?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

"I like almost anything, but especially country. The rest of the family hated it so I had to play it low. Got in trouble a couple of times. Mrs. Caulder's husband used to say that country music is the work of the devil. He said it so much that the others believed him. I wanted to see for myself and fell in love with it. Got the strap a few times when I was younger, just for listening to it. That strap taught me to be more careful. Now I listen to it whenever I want."

She watches as you set the brakes then tries as you suggest. And fails. And tries. And fails. Several times. She gets frustrated but does not give up but does need some breaks. Finally, she almost makes it into the seat but just cannot seem to pull herself the last bit.



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant stood up, and walked to where Rowena was struggling to lift herself the last few inches to the seat of her chair. "Good, you're doing good Rowe. A couple things we can use to work up your stamina, we could get a elasti-polymer band to keep your legs together, it would make maneuvering yourself into position. Maybe a foot stool, so you can learn to transfer from the floor, to the stool, and then to the chair."

He helped her up, carried her in his arms, and sat her down on the bed, sitting beside her. "You did good Ms. Champagne, I need to talk to Vlad, you could rest up here, or I could bring you downstairs if you wanted to relax down there?"

Author: Mercy Merchant

She gives you a beautiful smile when you call her Ms Champagne, but shakes her head. "A footstool might be a good idea. I think I will just rest here for a bit, thank you."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He nodded, and leaned over her, kissing her forehead gently. "I'll leave the chair by the bed, brakes on, in case you change your mind. I'll check downstairs see if they have any tea, be up with that footstool shortly." He turned, trailing a finger tip down her shoulder, across the swell of her breast, her stomach, the point of her hip and down her leg as he left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

He went down the hall, towards Vlad's office, knocked lightly and entered.

"Listen Vlad, I had a thought. If we could get a comm for Rowe, we could use her SIN and financials to make some legit purchases, a hotel room, a car rental, something that she'd need. We make that purchase, and our merc's, whoever they are would get a ping. They have to be watching her financials, and even if they don't believe it's really her, they can't ignore it, on the small chance it is. They'll respond, Errant will do the same thing, if we are smart I could set up, and get one of the merc's, incapacitate him, so we can get some answers. See if his answers line up with the data B. and your cousin are working on."

He paused, considered his plan, "We couldn't use your boys, it would be too easy to trace back to you, but we could operate in a competitor's territory, bringing down Errant and our merc's on them. They'd most likely lock it down for further investigations, which could result in an opportunity for you and yours?" He looked at his host questioningly, curious if he had piqued his interest.





Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad smiles at your suggestion, then frowns. "It is a good idea to use another territory like that. For me to take advantage of it, though, it would have to be one of my immediate neighbors. And it strikes me that you may need to up the ante a bit if you want to be truly believable. I agree that using her finances will almost certainly be detected by both the KE and the mercenaries. But you may have to put her in the line of danger to make it truly effective and reduce the chance that the others will see a trap. Are you willing to do that? I would guess that she will be willing if you ask her, but are you? But is it a good idea and we can get moving on that and preparing for it."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded as he listened, he reached for his Slim, his last one, and brought it, unlit, to his lips. Held it there.

"Thing is Vlad, an injury like that can leave you feeling that your less than who you really are. She's remarkably strong, but this whole," he waved his hand to indicate the current situation, "situation, it is her crucible. I trust that she could rise to the challenge, but before I even approach her with the offer, I need to make sure the plan is flawless, and that she's ready."

He paused, ran the unlit slim beneath his nose, inhaled, God, he needed a smoke, a drink, something. "Hey Vlad, speaking of, you got some velcro loading straps here, I could us bungie cords, but I'd be worried about her circulation. Something to keep her legs together while she practices transferring herself from the floor to the chair. And maybe some tea? I've been working her pretty hard, but if we've learned anything about her, we know she's not a quitter."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods. "Should have some straps somewhere. Will look and have delivered." He reaches into one of his desk drawers and pulls out a pack of your smokes and tosses it onto the desk in front of you. "Here, you look like you could use a fresh pack. I get them cheap and resell them for much profit. You may have this one, please. After all, we are friends now, yes?" He picks a 'link up off the desk and speaks Russian into it, putting it back down with a smile. He pauses to take a smoke from another pack and lights it up, offering you the lighter. "Indeed. We do have a strap here and one will be brought to you."

"So, what do you make of this whole mercenary and drug thing?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He accepted the pack with a nod of thanks, "Friends," he paused, "it's odd. I warned both B., and Rowe, about getting too close to you, or doing anything that would leave them indebted to your or your bratva. What I have heard of the Vory, there are rumors, expectations, and yet, I found myself." He shrugged, "Both trusting, and respecting you," he lifted the unlit cigarette to his forehead with a salute, "I should have trusted that Aisha would be a good judge of character. Though I hope that our friendship does not bring trouble to your door."

As Vlad spoke of the situation, the corporations, the pharma-corp, Bryant began to summarize, theorize, the information he was aware of, trying to figure out the logic behind everything that they had discovered as of yet.

"I do not know much of global politics, economics, or corporate finance, but what I glean from B.'s information is that we have a shadow corporation, comprised of Yakuza and Renraku middle tier exec's. This shadow corp backs the pharma-corp, tries to break into the Columbian market, and gets rebuked by the local government. At the same time, one of the shadow corp's exec's pulls out, perhaps related to the Columbia bid. He acquires something, perhaps information, perhaps a prototype, and tries to use it to secure his safety? Blackmail? The shadow corp reaches out through irregular channels, St. Petersburg Merc Boards, perhaps to avoid their actions being traced back to them. They try to re-acquire their former exec's insurance, and at the same time eliminate the opposition that was blocking them from entering the Columbian market."

He paused, looked towards his host, "Does that seem likely?"





Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad laughs out loud. "It sounds all too likely, my friend. Very Vory, in fact. Much intrigue and betrayal. Unfortunately, there is too much death to be a fantasy. No, something is making these people want to do these things. So much killing for an attache case? There must be something of great importance there. And the code that Rowena gave us makes no sense, so must be a real code of some kind. Still, it is very confusing to me. I am a simple gangster. Some vice, some smuggling, some killing, yes of course. But not this much. It is like in the days of the gang wars, when the Yakuza tried to wipe out the Mafia and the Triads were killing themselves for dominance over each other." He pauses and scratches his head. "Now that is something I had not thought of before. The Redmond Barrens are a horrible cesspool of metahumanity, but there is a worse place. The Chinatown Barrens are ten times as bad as this place, perhaps even worse. But you can hide there. All it takes is knowing the right people. And I know someone who might be able to help you. She is an dealer in Chinese antiques and special order furniture. Her shop is in the very respectable part of Chinatown, but she is connected, you know? Influence with one of the Triads. And I think she has some pull in the Barrens there. Would you care to talk to her and see if she can help? You might come out of this owing both the Vory and the Triad. Or at least making contacts with both. Can it hurt?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He looked at Vlad, studying him, "I do not owe the Vory as of yet Vlad. I owe you, a friend. Admittedly, a man with goals, a man with enemies, and a man with his own agenda." He paused, looked at his host with serious eyes, "But. A man who I feel I can trust, a man who I feel wouldn't place me in a position to choose between a personal obligation to him, and my responsibilities to those that I call friend, perhaps even family."

He looked around the office, selected a chair and slumped in it, "The Triads are like a dragon, or so I hear. Many headed, serpentine, treacherous, and ruthless. To bargain with such, I would need to do so from a position of power, but were I to approach this woman I come to her wanted, hunted, and on the run. Any use I have, through my skills, my training, also risks exposure, both for her, and myself. Any connections I bring, also risk the same." He shrugged, "How would you proceed? It seems risky to me, perhaps too much so."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad flings his arms wide and laughs again. "Bryant, my friend. Look about you. You are in the belly of the Vory here. I am doing this partly as a repayment of a debt to the good doctor, but there is also a need for an exchange of favors between us, yes? So much is happening that goes far beyond what I owed Now you and I are like brothers. We are both dangerous men, but we have been thrown together. I like you very much. I would like to help you survive what you are facing. I would also like to get to know your Barbara much better. Something about her makes me think of more than sex, of something stronger. But first we have to proceed with care. Some very bad men are after you. Men with ties to the Yaks. It would not hurt your chances to have as many friends as possible. I can help as much as possible and even provide you with hard men as escorts and soldiers. But the Triads hate the Yaks more than they hate each other, and that is saying a lot. It might be worth it to at least open the door and talk to this woman. And remember that she, like me, is used to being in danger..........it goes with the territory, so to speak."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant watched his friend closely, he could only shrug, "Perhaps I was deluding myself, from what I know of my past I was an honest man. I worked in the military, corporate security, friends and associates in AAA corporations, in government, in law enforcement. Now I find myself living under a fake SIN, working on the periphery of society, and now." He paused, looked to his host, "I find myself responsible for the welfare of two women, one of whom is like a sister to me, and another who is rapidly becoming something much, much more. And we find ourselves," he opened his arms wide, encompassing the whole of Vlad's complex, "in a literal den of thieves, hunted by Knight Errant, east european mercenaries, a shadow corporation and the Yakuza."

A smile crept across his face, "And what I find most ironic, most amusing, is that the man I trust most, is a member of the russian mafia." Now he began to laugh, "Perhaps I need a drink, but it seems amusing to me." He calmed himself and continued, "You are right my friend, if you have a channel to do so, safely. Contact this woman, and arrange a meeting, though, as I said, I still do not see what I have to offer her in exchange for her aid. We have not yet discovered any concrete data that would tie this chain of events to any one individual."

Now he looked warily at Vlad, "But please, do not risk exposure to do this for me my friend."

Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad gets a serious look on his face as he listens to you. "Listen, my friend. Is not something like this what should be done for a friend? I, too, feel a connection with you, which is all the more strange if you were indeed some sort of lawman. But life is never dull in my line of work and you have made it even more interesting. I would take a risk for a friend if it is important enough to do so. Besides, what can some jumped up mercenaries do to me, anyway, eh? I ask you this question. What can they do? Now, why not go off to your woman and see if she willing to do this thing to draw out our enemies."



Author: Zen Gypsy


Our. That one word drew Bryant's attention, it spoke volumes about the character of the man, it spoke of loyalty, integrity. Certainly debt and obligation was there as well, but they had begun to move passed that now. He nodded as he stood up, as he walked through the door he turned and spoke, "Let's hope that B., and your cousin are able to find some solid leads, something we can take to this Dragon Lady, something to allow us to come to terms. Irregardless Vlad, thank you. Man to man, face to face. You have my thanks." He shrugged, "I'm going down to make some tea, grab those bands and footstool, and have that talk. If you need me, you know where I am."

He walked down the corridor to the stairs, then to the battered little kitchen he had seen off of the main garage. He spotted the kettle, filled it with water turned it on. Opened the cupboards, he located some black tea, as well as some chipped ceramic mugs. As the water boiled, he wandered the garage, until he found a foot stool, and the bands that Vlad had indicated would be in the workshop area. He nodded at the soldiers he passed by, "Kettle's on in the kitchen if you want tea," he informed them. Finding what he needed he set it down by the stairs, returned to the kitchen and made a cup of tea for Rowena, black and sweet he finally decided on sugar and no milk. Hoping he got it right he gathered the items he'd located and continued up the stairs.

Entering Rowena's room, he smiled broadly. "Now we can test my instincts, tea? Black, just sugar, or should I go get you some soy milk as well?" He set the cup down, even as he lowered the foot stool and straps to the floor by the bed. "Some stuff to keep practicing with." He frowned, knowing how exhausted she was, "It's hard to begin Rowe, but you'll grow muscles, it's just a matter of fighting through the fatigue. Mental and physical." He sat beside her, his hand resting on her thigh, "Whenever your ready, now tell me, milk or no?"

~

After her tea, he began to massage her legs, squeezing her heels, rotating her ankles, and then moving up towards her calves, kneading the muscles there, working them firmly, but his hands, his grip gentle, caressing the curves and the contours, helping her bends her knees, then working her thighs with the same firm, deep massage. He smiled at her, as he continued, until he leaned forward, kissed her flat stomach, and as he did so he reached for the straps by the bed.

"These will help keep your legs together, that way you can swing them in one direction or another, depending on how you wish to transfer yourself from chair to the bed, or floor to the stool." He began to wrap them around her calves, just under her knees, and her thighs, he ensured they were secure, but not tight enough to threaten her circulation. As he did so he spoke.

"We may have come up with a plan, but it involves some risk, on your part. Vlad and I were thinking if we got you a comm, then used that comm to make some purchases using your financials, the activity on your SIN would get flag both Knight Errant, and our pursuers. We could use that to draw them into a trap, and maybe learn something from them. The thing is," he paused, his hand wandering absently up her thigh, caressing her hip as he spoke, "Like I said, this would begin to compromise your SIN, and there may be no going back if we do go down that route."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena smiles at you. "You got it right in one, Bryant. Sugar, no milk, is perfect." She looks at the bands in your hands before you say anything about them and comments, "You know you don't have to tie me up, right? I have tried some kinky stuff in the past, so could get into that if you are interested, but I am not running away from you." She seems a bit embarrassed when you explain what the straps are for, actually blushing a nice red. She sits in the bed as you massage her legs. "You know, I bet that feels marvelous and I wish I could feel it, but right now I got nothing down there."

She looks at you intently as you explain the plan then nods. "Listen, Mr. Champagne's woman is ready to do everything it takes to get these guys. Do you and Vlad really think it will work? If so, I am all in."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He almost laughed at her rapid blush, "We may need to revisit that topic after all of this is taken care of, but I must say Ms. Champagne. I love that blush." He leaned in and kissed her cheek. As he did so, Bryant reached out and squeezed her hand, "Nothing is guaranteed, but it will force the gunmen to react, and we can go on the offensive. It will be a tight window though, because K.E. will pick it up too, and try to apprehend or intercept. So we'll have to be careful, but it gives us an opportunity, something we don't really have right now."

He picked her up and lowered her to the floor, ensuring her legs were straight out in front of her, he set her beside the foot stool, and then moved the chair so it was behind the stool. "Now, before we were trying floor to the seat of the chair, which wasn't really fair of me." He frowned slightly, "So lets start smaller ok, just try from the floor to the stool, and then back down, don't worry about the chair, everything starts with small motions, little steps, and we can work ourselves up to the chair, ok?"

He had decided to stay with her, help her with her exercises until he heard from B. and Vlad's cousin, after all the data they were mining might make it redundant to try to capture one of the mercenaries. After all they already knew the unit operated on a cell system, which meant interrogations would not be able to yield much in the way of reliable information.





Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena nods and lets you place her on the floor and secure her legs together. She tries to move them as a single unit and smiles. "That does seem to work a bit better. Thank you very much." Much as you had expected, maneuvering to the stool first then the chair is easier than going straight to the chair. It is still a hard move for her as her arms are just not quite strong enough yet, but she can manage it after a few attempts. "Guess I should have been lifting weights instead of serving trays, eh? Who would have guessed that would be a more helpful skill?"

Time passes. Working with Rowena gives you an small insight into her personality. She never seems to get angry at the men who shot her and instantly corrects you if you show ANY indication of feeling guilty for being the cause. She does display frustration at how long it is taking her to learn how to do simple things, but usually has an upbeat reference to make after calming down. She does tire, though, and eventually tells you that she needs to take a break and perhaps a short nap.



Author: Zen Gypsy

"Here Rowe, let me help you to the bed," as he spoke he scooped her up, supporting her under her knees, and her back, his face pressed into the hollow of her shoulder and neck. As he helped her back on to the bed, he noted her hair was plastered to her brow with sweat, he dragged a finger along her forehead, kissing it gently.

"You've been working hard, why don't you relax a bit, take a nap, read maybe if you aren't tired. I was thinking I could go check on B., maybe see what our status is there."

With another squeeze of her hand, he softly closed the door, stepping back out into the hallway, and began to walk towards the office where Vlad's cousin and Barbara were pursuing the leads that they had discovered earlier. He nodded at the two hard men outside the door, "They still working in there? You mind if I take a seat, while they do their thing." He produced a couple of Triple Toxic Teas that he had taken from the fridge downstairs, a high energy drink, boosted electrolytes and highly caffeinated. "They may need a jolt when they come out of VR, yeah?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena nods tiredly and lets you put her in the bed. She squeezes your hand in response to your touch and is almost asleep by the time to get to the door and look back at her. The activity has clearly tired her out.

The guards do not smile, but do let you into the room. Barbara is actually coming out of VR as you open the door, but the young man is apparently still in. The woman looks at you and notices the drink. "For me? Thanks, Boss. Afraid I don't have much more than before, but he is still following a lead. I expect that he will be out in a few minutes." She pops the lid on the can and downs the drink. "Anything new happen here while I was out? How is Rowena taking all of this.?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He sat back in the chair, sighed, "Rowena, it's ...," he paused, "complicated. She thinks she," he frowned, he didn't want to detract, or dismiss her feelings, "she cares for me Barbara, in her words, she loves me. And I ... feel for her, I do." He paused again, he continued, slowly, "Since the augmentations, which saved my life, I haven't felt much of ... anything. Often just a ghost, a flicker of a memory, walking through someone else's life. But with her, now. And in the shittiest possible situation, I feel," he paused again, looking for the word, "alive. It's strange, and exciting, and the thought of losing her, losing this, before we even truly discover what this is, is absolutely terrifying."

He slumped back, closed his eyes a moment, composed himself. And then deadpanned a response to Barbara's infectious smile.

"And you should wipe that shit eating grin off of your face."

He almost laughed, and then his brows furrowed, "Between Vlad and I we came up with a plan, or at least the beginnings of one. We use Rowe's SIN, make some purchases through legit channels, stuff that she'd need while on the run, a car, a change of clothes, things like that. We make those purchases in a controlled environment, where we can limit approach vectors, and collateral damage. The merc's that have to have something watching for her financials to ping, and they can't discount it when it does. They'll come to us, but we'll be waiting, and then we'll take them down, maybe one of them will have info that leads higher up the chain."

He paused, studying Barbara's reaction, "It's dangerous, it could mean sacrificing Rowena's SIN, we'd have to get her a fake one, but I know people who can do that. For a price. At least she doesn't need to be physically present to make the transaction, so she wouldn't be in physical harms way. I've talked about it with her, she's willing to make the sacrifice, to try to get out from under this situation."

"I've been as honest and blunt with her as I can be, and she's making the choice to be here, be with me, with everything that entails. I want to push her away at times, to protect her, despite what I feel, what I hope. But I need to let her make the choice too, don't I?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara frowns. "She says she loves you and all you do is "feel" for her? Boss, something isn't right here. If you are in love, you are in love..............simple as that. If not, you need to tell her. And don't hide it because she is in a wheelchair and you don't want to hurt her feelings. It will be worse to lead her on and then tell her later. Whatever you do, you should be honest with her about your feelings. And whatever those feelings are, are you sure it is not because you feel guilty about why she is in that chair in the first place? Careful with a woman's emotions, Boss."

Barbara listens to your plan and whistles. "Boy, you guys sure did come up with a doozy there. But it might work, yeah. Are you planning on using some of Vlad's guys on this?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant flinched, visibly, at Barbara's words. "No!" He said emphatically, "B., it's not like that. Since my augmentation, since my life before, I've been slow to feel anything, if I end up feeling anything at all. When I talk to her, when she looks at me, I feel things, I can't ever remember feeling, but love, B.? Love. According to everything I've found out about the man I was, he thought he was in love too. And that only brought misery, murder and betrayal. Can you blame me for being cautious, for trying to explore what it all means, to me?"

He sighed, shook his head, rolled his shoulders, "Listen B., we can talk about this later ok? I'm not going to hurt her, and I won't let anyone else hurt her either. That's why we need to work on this plan, make sure that he cover all our bases. To make the plan more, lucrative for Vlad, I told him we could make the purchases from a rival's territory. A hit by the merc's, an investigation by K.E., would disrupt a rival's business for days, if not weeks, but if Vlad's men are connected to it, he's implicated. This is going to have to be a solo thing."

Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara nods and wisely leaves it at that.

"So what do we buy? A car might be too much, but maybe trying to arrange some quick transport out of Seattle headed for somewhere else? She could be working on arranging an escort to Denver or L.A., or maybe even New Orleans. Perhaps we can use this hapless gang as the go between, trying to hire some of their muscle as protection. She should be doing this on a shoestring, Boss, as she might not have much money, right?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded as B., recapped his plan and began to discuss details, "That's the beauty of the plan, regardless of what she purchases, they HAVE to investigate and respond. Because the opportunity cost of letting her potentially slip away because they didn't act is too great." As she talked hiring protection, his brow furrowed as he contemplated the consequences, "While it has potential, and would certainly make neutralizing the response team easier, it exposes us as well, plus the transaction needs to be traceable to her SIN, most gangs would only accept a certified credstick, which is largely anonymous. Unless I'm mistaken."

He shrugged.

"When Vlad's cousin wakes up, we'll compare notes, see what we've found, see how the pieces fit, and begin to plan our operation then, yeah? Until that time can I get you anything B., you've been under a long time."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara nods as she stands and stretches. "You got that right. Who would think that sitting in a chair and sending an avatar out would be so strenuous? I feel like I have been working all day, so am going off for a nap. I will be in my room if you need me, Boss."

She pats you on the arm as she walks past you and leaves the room. You are alone with the other man, who is apparently still out in VR.



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant walked out of the room shortly after Barbara, leaving Vlad's cousin to finish his thing, he walked through the hall to the stairs, then out the back door, into the alley. He was nervous about being seen, but he needed a smoke, and after Barbara calling him on his feelings towards Rowe, he was frustrated. He didn't know what he should be feeling, or even how to express it. It had been a long time since he had felt much of anything.

He shrugged, inhaled on the slim, held the acrid smoke in his lungs, and slowly exhaled into the afternoon air. It was the inactivity, he was being hunted, he knew very little about who, or why, and he needed to figure out a way to get out from under the situation, get payback for what they'd put him through, put Rowe through.

He ground the butt out on the pavement, savagely, and stalked back into the safehouse.

He nodded at the soldiers as he moved through the house, he eventually found Vlad in his office. "She's ready Vlad, we need to set it up, but she's willing to risk it to draw these merc's out of the shadows." He paused, his face almost expressionless, "I am tired of waiting for them to make a move on me, my friends, my allies. I'm tired, and I am doing to damn well make them pay."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods at you and smiles as he puts his hands up in the air. "Patience, my friend. You are like a caged tiger on the prowl, looking for a way to slash at its captors. But listen to your friend, Vlad. I am where I am because I am careful. Do you think I have made my place just on killing? No, it is not possible, I tell you this. The killers will rise to a point, but not further. They exist on energy and courage and a combat skill that is to be admired, like the tiger. But they will not grow old in a family like this. No, it is the careful ones, the ones that think.....that plan, that will survive and flourish. You have the bones of a plan, but we have not determined where to set this up or how to reduce the risk to yourself, to your woman, or to me. Yes, I include myself in this because your plan requires me to be a part of it. You have stated that this can be used to cripple another territory enough to let me increase the size of mine at its expense. This presupposes that it is one of the neighborhoods next to this one, and by nature, that will involve me."

He motions for you to sit and takes a pack of the vile cigarettes you smoke from a drawer, offering you one. "Sit. Have a smoke. Have a drink of your good whiskey. Let us plan, yes?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He got up, walked to the bureau, and withdrew two glasses, pouring a generous amount of the whiskey into each glass. He turned to his host, and handed him one of the glasses. "So then, you have a territory in mind? If we do this strike, it could give us information that we could take to your Dragon Lady, something so that we can negotiate from a position of power, or knowledge."

He paused, sipped the smoky amber liquid, "Would Rowe need to be physically present, or can we just use her SIN to throw up VR alerts for the mercs and their console cowboys?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods and raises his glass in a toast. "Yes, I have a territory in mind. I have been having problems with the Horned Devils, just to the south. They came from nowhere about three years ago and took over the territory of a rather weak gang that I had been using as couriers and extra muscle on occasion. The new leadership has not been nearly as accommodating and I could use this opportunity to remove them. As to Rowena needing to be involved physically? I don't know. I know that I would be using drones or scouts to go into an unknown area, just to be sure the target is there and I would suppose that the KE and these mercenaries are as careful as I am. I think it would be a great help if she were there. And the risk to her should be minimal. After all, neither group wants HER dead, just you. Your risk is that they come in too strong for us and snatch her."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant didn't like it, but it made sense, he nodded, sipping his whiskey now, slowly. "The advantage, if it could be called that, is surprise. The merc's are operating on the assumption that Rowe and I are operating solo. For us to work this properly, your men cannot be used directly, as then these ... Horned Devils, will know of your involvement and you open yourself to retaliation. Would it be possible to have a team of your bratva on standby, for when the merc's arrive, to get Rowe out of there."

He paused, rolled the amber liquid around his glass, peered across the wide oak desk at his host, "It'd be KE, trying to focus on the merc's, the merc's focusing on me, and me avoiding KE. Hopefully. We could even establish a drop point, I could drop a merc, preferably the team lead, for pick up by your men as I lead KE and the rest of the team on a rampage through the Devil's turf. We could even plan a route, so that we can hit establishments that are of interest for you, if we hit one of their operations during my escape it becomes a crime scene, and KE confiscates, and maybe even investigates. Or the Devil's are forced to pay out some hefty compensation to make KE look the other way, yeah?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad is serious as he responds. "All of that is true, except for the part where the KE confiscates anything. The guys coming after you will not be interested in petty crime but in capturing you and Rowena. I like the part where you lead the KE and/or mercs through some of their territory, though. That alone might spark a shooting war that will thin their ranks and make it easier for me to move in. Perhaps we can engineer it so that it looks like we chased you off and can provide better security than the now much reduced Demons. What do you think?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He listened carefully, "So we're clear, we plant me in the Devil's turf, where Rowena and I make some purchases on her SIN, attracting the attention of the merc's and K.E.," he paused, "hell, if spotted the Devil's could try to take us in for the reward as well."

He sipped at his whiskey, "We evade the Devil's, and allow the gunfight to escalate. The merc's and K.E. will try to apprehend, or eliminate, as the case may be. So far it works, if it were me solo. The problem is Vlad, we need to have a contingency to ensure Rowe's safety, both during, and at the conclusion of the encounter."

Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 12 June 2075 0205 Vory Safehouse Seattle


It is well past midnight and you and Vlad have hammered out most of the details, agreeing on nearly everything except for the means to protect Rowena. Both of you agree that she needs to be guarded, but have not come up with a good solution yet. There is a knock at the door and Vlad calls out to enter and the guard outside the door lets Barbara into the room. Her hair is sleep tousled and she is yawning. "Sorry to interrupt, Boss, but I just received an odd message from someone who says they want to help us. Whoever it is has my name and yours and claims to be with the person the case was meant for. Do I answer?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant sat, shocked, as Barbara relayed the information. It only made sense, whoever had commissioned the drop, the couriers, the exchange, whoever had hired Raleigh to begin with would want to secure the original package. They had been operating on the assumption that it was the Renraku exec, so this message was most unexpected.

"What did the message say, exactly, what are they looking for, information, location, confirming what??"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara opens her mouth th say something but holds up a hand. "Wait. Second message coming in. OK. So, the first one just listed our names and indicated that the sender wanted to meet. This last one included a chart of some odd gang activity. The news feeds have been full of stories about gang violence in the streets, but what I am looking at seems to indicate something different. I would like to know what is going on, but did not want to just answer the messages without you knowing. Should I?"

Vlad nods his head. "It is true, what she says. Much news about gang violence. But it is not true, I think. Or, at least, not completely true. I have people reporting in from different neighborhoods and nothing is happening like it is being reported. Maybe we should let Barbara contact this person?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

They both stated their opinions, and Bryant agreed on both fronts, however, it paid to be cautious. He looked to Barbara, "B., you are our data specialist, so I will defer to your judgement, but we need to exercise caution. Any sort of message could be traced back to us, and potentially put Vlad at risk."

He nodded though, as he considered what this mysterious message could imply, "But we need to take the risk, it could provide some additional advantages in our upcoming plans, yes?" He paused, pulling out an unlit slim, and let it dangle from the corner of his mouth, "But it's too good to pass up, which is the entire premise of our strategy to entrap the mercs, so lets be careful."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara nods and leaves the room after telling you that she will keep you informed. Vlad watches her closely as she leaves, muttering something under his breath before looking at you. "I am a career criminal and not likely to change. I am mesmerized by your Barbara to the point of................well, to a high degree. Do you think she would give me a second look if I asked?"







Author: Mercy Merchant

Cynthia arrives in the cyber room to find a middle-aged woman waiting there for her. The woman nods to you. >>Hello. I am Barbara. You said that you wanted to talk? I am listening.<<



Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 11th, 2075 - OTR Host, Private Room #312] #137

>>Hi, I'm...er...<< frowning, Cynthia seems pensive for a moment, and quite a bit...flustered. >>Didn't think about that sorry, I'll have to find something. I'm not sure giving my real name would be a good idea at this point...<<

She shrugs, and continues >>And before anything else, are you in {this area}, or along that axis? Because if you are, you'd better expect some visitors. The really unfriendly kind. Unless you happen to sell ammo I suppose...<<





Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded at Vlad, "She is engaged Vlad, and that's something that you have to try to respect. These past two days are likely to shake up a lot of things for her, put things into perspective, cause her to question herself ... she's lost friends today, co-workers. You wouldn't want to play off of that, at least you don't seem that type to me." He shrugged, holding his unlit slim in his right hand, tapping it against his thigh as he took another sip of whiskey.

He chuckled.

"Though who am I to say, B.'s pissed at me, thinks I am going to hurt Rowe, when what I am terrified of is how bad Rowe's going to hurt me when she finds out who and what I am." He raised his glass towards Vlad, "Hard men, hard life, eh my friend?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia >>Well, it seems pointless to deny who I am. Hmmm. What is this axis and why do you think it means company coming?<<

@Echo Vlad nods even as he looks sadly into his glass. "You are right, my friend. I will not intervene in her relationship with another. Perhaps fate will intercede for me. But you are right, hard men and hard life."



Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 11th, 2075 - OTR Host, Private Room #312] #138

>>Why do I think it means company? Because I dug beyond the smoke screen of gang activities and I have footage of what I think is the group of mercenaries that is after you looking for something or someone. Someone that I believe to be you. And dropping a lot of bodies while doing it. I can be mistaken of course, since I won't know until tomorrow for sure, given that said footage needs cleaning. But if you're in the area, or what I believe to be their projected path... Well... I suppose I'll know sooner than that... It's alright if you don't want to say where you are, I understand why you need to be cautious. You can just check by yourself, I don't mind.

But well... if I'm right, you may want to check fast. They don't seem to want to spend the night hunting. I suppose I could say you don't have anything to lose by believing me but...<< she shrugs.

Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia The avatar of the other woman sits in silence, the expression on her face stoic, but wavering at the corners of the mouth. She nods. >>Thank you for the warning. I must tell my companions. Will you be here or can I contact you by the com code you provided?<<



Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 11th, 2075 - OTR Host, Private Room #312] #139

>>Use the code, I don't how long you will take so I won't wait here, I'd be bored to death. Just so you know however, I was planning to head to bed when you answered. It can wait a bit, but...well...it's a nice bed...<<



Author: Mercy Merchant

@Cynthia The avatar nods. >>Thank you very much for your help. I will be back in touch with you.<< The avatar disappears as Barbara leaves the room.

@Echo You are interrupted again, this time by the door banging open. As you turn your head, your eye catches Vlad's hand moving to his desk before it stops. Barbara rushes in, excitement and worry warring for supremacy on her face. "My God! Boss, Vlad, something is happening. Something bad. The person I went to see sent me some information on the supposed gang war that is shaking this part of the city." Vlad nods and opens his mouth to say something but Barbara cuts in. "I know you are going to say something like it is all blown out of proportion, but it isn't. At least not all of it. The larger picture is just a smokescreen to hide the fact that a group of well armed military types is moving from one gang territory to the next one, as if they are searching for something..............or someone. Right now, it appears that they are on an axis that is headed this way. Right here."





Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant set his empty glass down on Vlad's desk, "B., why would we think you're blowing it out of proportion? You've proved yourself time and again over the past day or so, and I trust you to separate the signal from the noise. So if you say these Merc's are on the move, I believe you, the question is, how much time do we have before they get to Vlad's territory?"

He stopped, looked at Vlad, "We've got the semblance of a plan formulated, if we moved on it now, we might be able to divert the shit show that is coming your way. These people are looking for Rowe, they need that code she got off the courier, we move her, they could skip your turf. You know as well as I, if we bring these guys to your doorstep, some of your guys, some of your family, are going to be at risk, and I can't ask you to sacrifice them."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad is standing and using his 'link, talking quickly in Russian. He looks at you when he is finished and shakes his head. "No, my friend, it is too early. We do not have people in place to protect her and you. Not enough time to plan. It is better that we have a good plan than only a half-assed one, no? I am getting people together that will take you to safety. I will put my best men on it and get all of you out. I cannot abandon those here that look to me for protection, but I can get you away. I hope that you are not going to make a big deal about it? Remember that her safety is a high priority." Vlad looks at Barbara and some sort of non-verbal communication passes between them. B sucks in her breath and opens her mouth to say something but closes it. Vlad nods and comes around the desk, heading to the door. "Come, my friends. There is much to do and little time to do it."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant shrugged, "We knew that it would come to this, I only wish we would have had more opportunity to prepare." He paused, "Time waits for no man, yeah? Two things though Vlad," he reached out holding up two fingers. "One, where are we being taken for safety, and two, if you can do anything for Rowe, make it happen. If you need to hang me out to dry, do it. I can keep these merc's occupied, distracted, if I have to. If it'll buy her time."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods and looks at you closely. "I have safehouses elsewhere, but what about a change in plans, eh? We have an advantage over the other gangs these people have hit tonight. We know they are coming and can prepare. We wanted to meet them, then let's meet them. Rowena is as safe here as anywhere else and if you stay, I would not have to send some of my best men to protect her. Why not stay and show these bastards that foreign mercenaries are no match for the Vory? Well, for the Vory and you. Think of it; we can fight them and take a prisoner or two."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant stood up, and reached out to clasp his hosts hand, "I would be up to such a task, but are you sure we can pull this off without risking your own bratva my friend? Remember our plan was to lure the mercs to the Devil's turf, and thereby allow the mercs to weaken their forces so we could then exploit that weakness."

He frowned as he continued, "Now the mercs will be hitting us, hitting you, your family, putting your family at risk, your sister. Should you wish to cut me loose, limit your losses, I will understand. If you choose to fight, I will be in the trenches beside you, back to back if it comes to that. But we need to find a way to funnel them to a location that leaves them vulnerable, and limits their ability to out maneuver your men. You said if you were searching for some one you would use drones, do you have access? We may need eyes in the sky before this is through."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 11 June 2075 0310 Vory Safehouse Seattle

@Echo Vlad nods. "It is different plan, yes? But I think we are harder than mercenaries. We have equipment and weapons, too. And we have secret weapon.....you. Say yes and I will roust the men and we will be ready for them. But is not good to get overconfident. These mercenaries are well trained and it will be hard to channel them where I want them, so we have to be ready for surprises. And as for risks? We take risks every day when get out of bed. Besides, if we win, we can have pick of neighbors who will want to join us. Maybe." He laughs out loud, interrupted by someone calling on his 'link. He pauses to answer in Russian then looks at you. "Men are organizing. I have body armor for Rowena and Barbara, although hers might be very tight in the chest, if you know what I mean. And some for you, too, if want. Now, let us go downstairs. I want more than popgun in my hands when we meet these bastards. And we will wake nephew from VR nap. He is good with drones, too. Maybe not best, but he is young yet. My sister's kid."


@Cynthia Your 'link receives a message from Barbara just after you crawl into bed. >>We are sticking it out and waiting for the mercenaries to come try to get us. I hope that we can make it, but I wanted to thank you......just in case, you know. If you are still with that contact, tell him that Rowena knows the code, but none of us can figure it out.<<



Author: Imladir

[Cynthia Rawson - Monday June 11th, 2075 - Cynthia's apartment] #145

With a grunt, Cynthia checks her 'link. After a tired sigh, she answers >>No problem. Good luck.<< a yawn is clearly audible >>I'll tell the contact, sure, but we figured that out a while ago you know. As most of Seattle in fact. But since we are at the just in case phase...you may want to record said code somewhere safe. It could be the difference between...<< there's a pause of a good ten seconds >>Let's say it's important. Anyway, good luck. Ho and maybe it will help you if you want to fight them...<< Cynthia sends a copy of the footage she got.

With a grumble, eager to finally sleep, Cynthia sends a copy of Barbara's message (stripped of all metadata, headers, etc.) to Tanya.

Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant smirked, "My coat, and my form fit will work well enough for me my friend, though some ballistic protection for B., and Rowe would be appreciated." He tapped his Ikon-Ziess cyber-eyes, "Built in flare comps, if these mercs are well equipped, they'll have the same, either implants, or in their helmets, so flash bangs might not be that effective. Now, if you had frag or phospherous grenades, we could wear them down, but the problem is that those are both pretty damaging to your territory, and we want to contain the damage."

He pointed over his shoulder with his thumb, towards the guest room he'd dropped his duffel in, "I've got a few clips with stick shock ammo, might be useful for bringing a couple of these guys down, worked in Washington Rec, other than that I've got a few different SMG's and an assault in the bag." He smirked as he ran through his checklist, "Oh, and in case me going through my checklist wasn't indication, you know I'm down for fragging a few of this bastards right?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad smiles widely and walks out of the room with you. "Go get your equipment, my friend. We will show these bastards why they should leave the Vory alone." Outside the room, you can hear people talking down the stairs. A man meets you in the hall, carrying several sets of armor vests. He passes one to Vlad and offers one to you but nods as you shake your head. Vlad takes two of them and heads off down the hall to the room Barbara and Rowena share. "Meet me in the room. Rowena might more prefer to have you help her with this vest, Yes?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant looked at the armored vest, considered a moment, and took it from the Vlad's soldier. Then he turned to Vlad with a nod, "So are we making a stand here, or are we going out to meet them, prevent them from shaking down your territory looking for me?" He looked back to Rowena's room, trepidation clear on his face,

"Any chance you have a safe room? Somewhere to keep her safe, head down, hidden perhaps?" He considered Vlad a moment, studying the man, "You know I'm ready to put these bastards down, but you'll need to give me a moment to prepare Rowe, as far as I know when I go in there I'll be waking her from a dead sleep."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods and motions for you to go ahead. "Yes. There is a special room here. Can put her in it. Let me know if you can convince her to go there while you are fighting? And maybe this is last stand. But we will engage them as they come to the territory and draw them to make mistakes. Still, truth is that it may be tough fight. I would offer to put you in safe room as well, but am sure you would not go. Will five minutes be enough to prepare your woman?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

"Five minutes," he said softly as he turned and walked down the hall, first to his room, where he grabbed his duffel. He slung it over his shoulder, and then walked to Rowena's room.

He stepped inside, saw her lying on the bed, went over and kissed her awake, "Time to wake up, we've gotten some new information Rowe, and we need to get you secured," he paused, "safe. I need to know that you'll be safe while I'm out there, engaging the mercenaries. They're coming for us, they have been for the last few hours, media, police, even K.E., has been calling the violence gang related, that's a cover. They've been systematically moving through the barrens, searching for something." He stripped off his long coat, removed his holsters, and the white long sleeve dress shirt he'd worn underneath it. "Searching for us. Me, they'll kill. You, they want the code, which means they'll want to take you alive. They call it debriefing. Interviewing. They mean interrogation, torture."

He buckled on the armored vest, it didn't give as much protection as his lined jacket, but he figured Rowe could use the longer jacket to protect her arms, her legs, whereas his exposed cyberlimbs were armored, designed to resist ballistic damage. It was easier to repair and replace damaged components than meat, and he needed to keep Rowena safe.

He began to sling his holster over the vest, and opened the duffel pulling out his weapon cache, laying it out on the floor. Weapons check. Once complete he turned back to the bed, his lined coat in his arms, and began helping Rowe put the heavy coat on, pulling it over her shoulders, "I'm not trying to scare you Rowe, but I want you to know what we're up against. Vlad and I will engage these sons of bitches at the perimeter of his territory, hit and run, draw them into blind alleys, dead ends. I'll do everything in my power to keep them from this compound. Knowing that your in the safe room, that you're hidden, that you're secure, would go a long way towards letting me focus on tactics and strategy."

He sat on the bed beside her, squeezed her hand, "I know this is terrifying, before you, facing odds like these, I'd shrug my shoulders. If I died, that would have been fine with me, I should have died two years ago, when the extraction team broke into our corporate complex. Now," he looked at her with something like fear in his face, "now, I have something to lose, someone I care for." He paused, considered Barbara's harsh words from earlier, "someone who I want to live for." He secured the jacket around her, flipping up the collar to protect her neck, and as he did so pulled her in close, a soft, probing kiss, that turned into something fierce, passionate. "Someone I love."

Minutes passed, and he pulled from her embrace, breathing heavily, and picked her up in his arms, placing her in the chair. He leaned forward, kissing the back of her neck. "Now lets get you to the safe room, you've given him something to live for, and I am sure as hell not going to lose it, not tonight," he reached forward and squeezed her shoulder, "not ever."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Rowena listens quietly as you talk, although she does pale a bit. She just nods as you ask her to wear the coat and does her best to help you get it on her. Her response to your kiss and your affirmation of love is to kiss you back, returning your passion. "Then I will go to this room. Give me one of those guns, just in case. I don't know how to shoot, but how hard is it to point and pull the trigger?" She puts her arms around your neck when you pick her up and holds tight, as if not wanting to let go. Once in the chair, she nods again and lets you push her out of the room. Vlad is in the hallway, talking to his nephew and two soldiers. He nods at you and sends the others off.

"There you are. I was about to see if you two had left the building. This way to the safe room. I have already taken Barbara there. Little vixen keeps saying she can be as good in the fight out here. Finally had to threaten to shoot her knee. Bah, she did not believe me. Such a woman. Come, let us go." At the stairs, he takes the chair down while you carry Rowena. The safe room is a large vault-like room on the basement level. When the door is opened you see Barbara walking back and forth, her "assets" clearly showing why her nickname is "Bouncing Barbara". She stops and stands with her hands on her hips.

"Boss! Please tell this.....this......this gangster that I would be better out there."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He hugged Rowena tight as he moved her into the chair, "There's a taser in the inside coat pocket, it's point and shoot, and should be more effective than a pistol at short range." As she pouted, he kissed her full lips, "My weapons are all automatic darling, and unless you have reinforced titanium arms, with gyroscopic compensation, they could shatter your wrist. Once this is over, I am sure Vlad could point us towards a firing range if you really want to practise."

~

As he met with Vlad, he listened to the man complaining about Barbara, he almost chuckled. "You're the one who said you like strong women, and she's got a backbone of stainless steel, believe me."

Once they entered the vault-like room, and he saw B. pacing, he knew they were both in trouble. He approached her, arms out, palms up, in a conciliatory manner. "Barbara, please? The man's opened his home to us, offered us shelter, when he could have left us to the dogs, gangster? There's no reason to insult our host. Especially because I am the one who asked him to do it." He looked from Vlad, and back to Barbara, he leaned his head closer, lowering his voice, "These guys want Rowena, for what's in her head. The courier's access code. I need her safe, and you're the one I trust to look after her." He paused, and spoke, almost at a whisper, "Please?"

Then he turned to the instrumentation in the room, "Plus Vlad's cousin is going to be our eyes in the sky, and I figure if you can co-ordinate with our mysterious benefactor, you can keep Vlad's soldiers and I synched in, monitor the merc's movements, and their deployment. it will help limit casualties. Can you do that for me?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Barbara grimaces. "Mysterious benefactor is right. She is shut off, that or just not answering my calls. She said she was tired and going to sleep and maybe she goes dark when sleeping. Some people do; it keeps them from being bothered while trying to get some rest." She does seem to calm down as you talk to her. Looking over at Rowena, she nods and adds, "You are right, of course. OK, I will stay and worry about you." She turns to face Vlad. "But I won't give a damn about our gangster host. He may be your friend, but he......he......well, he just is, I guess."

Rowena smiles at you. "We will be fine. I am sure that you will both make sure that Mr. Champagne's woman comes through this alive. And that she gets to go home with Mr. Champagne."

Vlad claps you on the back and tells you that it is time to go see how the preparations are coming. When you leave the room and head up the stairs, he turns to look at you. "My heart is lifted, my friend. I think she likes me. What a woman she is, Yes?"



Author: Zen Gypsy

He nodded a B., silently thanking her, "You'll be too busy to worry about me B., you're coordinating this whole thing, our defense. Work with Vlad's cousin, keep me in the loop, we're not going to be able to deal with this incursion without you." He smirked, squeezed her hand, "Hell of a long way from running background checks on cheating bastards eh?" His face turned more serious as he glanced towards Rowena, and then back to Barbara, "Keep an eye on her if you can though B., she'll have nothing to do BUT worry. And ...," he paused, heartfelt emotion clear on his face, "thanks."

He turned, went down onto a knee beside Rowena's chair, leaned forward until his forehead touched pressed against hers. The skin felt cool, smooth, her hair tickled his eyes, he looked at her. "You are, without a doubt, the strongest woman I know. When this shit goes down, you are going to see things on those monitors, hear things over the chatter, and they may scare you, shock you. Just know that I'm doing everything I can to keep you safe, everything we've said, everything we've left unsaid, it's still ahead of us, and for the first time in a very long time, I am looking forwards, not backwards. And I have you to thank for that." He pressed his lips to her forehead, kissing it softly, as he did so he squeezed her hand, and then stood up, his mirror shades snapping forward from the housings around his eyes, his face was all business as he walked out of the room, preparing for war.

~

Bryant laughed, the unlit slim dangling from his lips precariously. "If you think gangster is a term of endearment, your mastery of the English language may not be as complete as you think." He clapped a hand on his shoulder, "But if you want a strong willed woman, you've got your work cut out for you. Now lets go see how your men are doing in their prep, I'll want feeds from your cousin's drones patched through to my comm, so I can pull them up in my display if needed. Maps of your territory, updated with co-ordinates of our friendlies, and the merc's."

As he walked, he began shifting his weapons, his Crusader in the shoulder holster on his right side, easy access for a quick draw if needed. The Ingram, his weapon of choice for suppression fire, located at the small of his back, held securely by a maglock holster. His Praetor, his precision weapon slung over his right shoulder, riding his left hip, where it was secured to prevent it from swinging and interfering with the HVAR battle rifle he carried in both hands. The armored vest he wore over his form fit bristled with spare clips, arranged for ease of access.

"We have to assume that they'll try to hit the grid, disrupt our comm's, our power, so protecting those areas should be our priority. Fallback spots, choke points, alternate routes, we need to have those pre-planned and conveyed to our men, so that we can maintain discipline under fire. These guys are trained, but they aren't necessarily professional. The way they opened on the crowd at Washington Rec, sloppy, a professional would have extracted the courier with only minimal civilian casualties. These guys didn't care."

He paused, brought the one handed his rifle, and reached into a thigh pouch, drawing a lighter, he raised an eyebrow to Vlad, and read his subtle nod correctly, he lit the Szczepanski and inhaled deeply, holding it until he felt the burn on that rough spot at the back of his throat. He turned, looked back as the safe room door slid shut with an audible *thunk!* and closed his eyes. He took a moment, turned, exhaled, the smoke curling around his head as he continued to walk beside his host.

"You got your non-com's secured, your sister?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad nods as you speak. By the time you are upstairs you can see a lot of organized commotion going on in the main garage area. The vehicles have been moved into the street and there is a crowd of people gathering. You see a fair number of women in the room, many either wearing armored vests or putting one on. SOme of the younger ones are walking around with trays of steaming mugs. All are armed with some sort of submachinegun and a pistol or two. Vlad clasps your shoulder. "I am not sure what your impression of a Bratva is, my friend. This is a family. Men, women, children. All of them, all of US, are related by oaths that no one else can understand or believe. We will all fight to defend our place here, our home that we have adopted. And see? You cannot know it, but there are others here as well. They are the shop keepers and waitresses at the bar, the strippers and prostitutes, the wageslaves that work in other parts of the city. But this is their home and no fragging mercenaries, no matter how well trained, are going to just come in here and take what they want. No, we will show these bastards what fighting a real Vory Bratva is like. Access to my nephew's drones should be coming up soon. You will see what they do. We do not have military training, so will be at a disadvantage there, but we do have great advantages in knowing where everything in the neighborhood is. It does you not much good to talk of fall back defense positions, because those words mean little or nothing to most of these people. Just help me tell people where to go. A source in the next neighborhood over tells me that the mercenaries have just entered there. The gang boss there will not delay them but will fall on their rear after they pass into this neighborhood. He is a good man and I told him I do not want his area damaged by him trying to resist these bastards. So, I need to walk among by people and encourage them. Will you come with me?"

Author: Zen Gypsy

He nodded, looking through the crowd, he noted kids, children, and became intensely uneasy with the situation. He leaned to his friend, and whispered, quietly, "Vlad, there are kids here. If you put them anywhere near another gunmen, whether passing clips, reloading pistols, whatever, these guys. These merc's, they're going to shoot to kill. Kids Vlad, children. Surely you don't mean to send them out as runners, couriers, get them somewhere safe. Put them with B., with Rowe, it's got to be the better play."



Author: Mercy Merchant

Vlad looks at you for a moment, frowning, then shakes his head. "No, my friend. It is not meant to be that way. These children are the future of the Bratva, the next generation. Should I refuse to accept their help, I would be denying them the chance to prove their worth. I did not order them here, but they know the Bratva is in need and come of their own, with the blessings and prayers of their parents. Look about you....does it seem as if anyone is itching to leave? No. This is their home, too, Bryant, they deserve the chance to help defend it. Yes, some may die, some will probably die. As will some of the women and men who fight. But it is better to die in defense of one's home than to sit by and watch it be invaded. The Motherland has suffered many wars like this and always it is the same. The children help the women who help the men. All help defend. And most of these children will not just be runners or passing out ammo...........no, they will have pistols and grenades and will be ready to use them. I am sorry, my friend, but this is how it must be here. Besides, if I were to try to stop them, they would not appreciate it and their parents would think less of me."

"That is why I strongly urge you to go back and let your woman do what she wants to do, not force her to be locked up. And my future wife, as well. They do not want to stay there, in that room of solitude. They want to help, to be a part of what is happening. At least go ask. One is there because you told her to, and the other because you asked her to watch over the other. But neither wants to be there. I could see it in their eyes as we shut the door. Your woman wants to be at your side, or at least where she can help with something. Does it do her good to know that you think her weak and in need of that sort of protection? And that Barbara....she is a fighter of great spirit and deserves to be here, too. Wrestle with your conscience, Bryant, and imagine what you would feel like if you were in her shoes. Would you want you man to take all the risks or would you want to be able to show him that you are strong and can help. Certainly you will worry about them, but that is what love is. Worry and care, but do not overprotect. Eventually, she will not like the picture you are painting of her. So, please reconsider your choice and allow them to be with us. The mercenaries will not get her unless we are both already dead, I swear that to you as a brother."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant sighed, closed his eyes and inhaled on the slim, pulling the acrid smoke into his lungs. Slowly he exhaled, blowing the smoke into a small plume, straight over his head before he turned and looked at his host, his friend, Vlad.

"It's like with the children Vlad, it's not something I like. I know that I, in any engagement, would not target children, or non-combatants, but these merc's, we've seen them in action, they are unscrupulous. They have no sense of," he seemed to struggle for the word, "professional conduct, loyalty, or honor. Raleigh Investigations, that's where I work ... worked? They hit our offices, killed staff who I'd worked with for a year now, possibly Raleigh himself. At Washington Rec, they shot up a food shack, causing significant casualties among a crowd that included families, women and children. A waitress who my eyes lingered on too long, whose smile was too bright. All shot to shit because of these reckless, unprofessional, pieces of shit."

He reached out, clasped Vlad's shoulder, squeezed it tight, "Perhaps you are right, I didn't play fair, with either of them." He shrugged, took a quick puff of his slim, turned and walked back into the complex, grinding the filter into the rain slick street.

He brought a fist to the door of the safe room, and pounded the code. He stepped back as it hissed and opened, nodded towards the muzzles of the SMG's Vlad's soldiers had leveled towards him, and walked inside. He approached Barbara and Rowe, where the two women sat, both sullen faced, he knelt beside the wheel chair, placing his hand over Rowe's, while he looked from one to the other.

"I owe you an apology B., I let me fear, my anxiety over this coming confrontation to control my actions. I abused your loyalty, your trust, manipulated your sympathy. I'm not sure what's going to happen in the next five or ten minutes, how organized, or prepared our opposition is. I want you," he looked to Rowe as well, his face including her in his statement, "to be where you want to be, not where I want you to be." He paused again, squeezed Rowe's hand, "Where do you think that you'll do the most good, Vlad's banking his entire territory on stopping these guys cold. Every man, woman and child that his bratva protects is outside, and he's arming them all. Families are putting their lives, their futures, on the line. I can't really ask them to risk theirs, to protect mine."

He hoped the emphasis he put on the word 'futures', would not be lost on the woman sitting in the chair beside him.



Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 11 June 2075 0355 Vlad's Safehouse Seattle Barrens Seattle

Barbara's face brightens considerable and she comes to where you are kneeling, putting a hand on your shoulder. "Apology accepted, Boss. This room is so so protected that I cannot reach the trix from here. I will go up and talk to Vlad then go to the room I was in before, so you know where I will be. Those mercs might have a good hacker on their team, but they might not expect me and Viktor. I trust you to keep us safe." With that, she squeezes your shoulder gently and disappears out of the room.

For your part, the men here are just so much part of the furniture. In effect they don't exist, as right now your focus is on the girl in the wheelchair. A rather common girl, normal in almost every respect until she came into contact with your world, your life. Now......now she is a bit different. Her life has changed immensely over the past couple of days. She looks you in the eyes and says, "When will you truly understand that Mr. Champagne's woman is deeply in love with Mr. Champagne. You continue to give me options to leave you or go places "for my own good". I understand why, but when will you see that I cannot exist without being part of your life. I do not understand what has happened to me, or why, but I know that there is no turning back now. If you love me back, we have a future. If you do not, then, well, I will have to live with that. It won't change one bit how I feel about you, though. I want to show you that I want to help you. My real desire is to be out there. These people are going to fight and die because of us, because of me, and I feel completely unworthy of that if I stay in this room. I am willing to take my chances out there, fighting with them. I don't know what I can do to help, but there should be something, even if it is just to show them who I am. Does that make any sense to you? If it does, then please carry me upstairs and ask one of these gentlemen to carry the chair."



Author: Zen Gypsy

He whispered as he scooped her up, "I truly am sorry. Let's get you upstairs, we'll find somewhere for you with the second line, maybe you can help with the wounded, we'll talk to some support personnel. You are a strong woman Rowe, and smart as well, you'll find a way to contribute." One of the soldiers folded her chair up, and began to follow them to the stairs, Bryant nodded his thanks.

"The entire community is mobilizing, to protect their homes, their families. Prepare yourself for that, it shocked me at first, but their are young children preparing defenses, cutting bandages, loading weapons. Mothers, fathers, sons and daughters bearing arms. This is going to be messy, and I don't like it at all. Vlad says it's a point of pride with these people, doesn't make it any easier to deal with, but I can't change it, so I have to deal."

He looked at her in his arms, "Kind of like you choosing to be in the line of fire, can't change your mind for you, can only respect you for your choice and do what needs doing, yeah?" He dropped a soft kiss on her forehead before they gained the top of the stairs again, the soldier shuffled passed them and opened the chair before nodding and returning back to his position.

He kicked the brakes so the chair wouldn't move as he transferred Rowe into it, then clicked the brakes off, as she got comfortable. He ensured that the lined coat was secured around her torso, and fastened properly. He reached his cold metallic hands under her collar, gently massaging the soft skin behind her ear as he flipped the collar up to protect her throat and base of her skull.

"Lets see if we can find Vlad, and lets meet the people who we'll be standing shoulder to shoulder when these merc's come looking, you ready?"



Author: Mercy Merchant

Monday 11 June 2075 0400 Vlad's Safehouse Seattle Barrens Seattle

People are moving about in organized confusion when you make it to the main garage area. Many people will look up from what they are doing and nod at Rowena. A young girl of maybe eleven or twelve comes up to you both, carrying a tray with steaming mugs and wearing a holstered pistol on a belt around her shoulder as it it were a bandoleer. She smile and lets you take two of the mugs and then walks off to serve others. Rowena nods at you. "I see what you mean. But I also saw a pride in her eyes, and I think a definite resemblance to Vlad."

Some women come to you and gently guide Rowena off to help with some tasks. You find your friend outside talking to several people and giving instructions. He spies you and opens his arms wide as he smiles. "My friend, it is a good thing you have done, trust me. Barbara is already in the matrix thing with Viktor and getting us updates. We have about three minutes left before the first mercenaries hit the first Vory positions. They will be in for a surprise. We will fight for every inch of this neighborhood and we will send them back home with empty hands and many bodies. Perhaps we can even capture a few for questions, eh" He is interrupted by the young girl with the tray who brings him a cup. Vlad motions to her. "Have you met my great niece? She is Viktor's daughter. His lovely wife is inside with your woman, but Katrina here will be representing her family on block two. She is two small to wear the belt so carries it on her shoulder. We are so proud of her. Now off with you, girl. Report to Stephan and do as he tells you." The girl nods at him then you before running off. You notice that the uproar has died down considerably and see that most of the people have left the street. Vlad motions for you to follow him and you move off quickly. "We will be waiting for them at the second block as well, Bryant, my friend. The first shots will be done at the first block, but that is just to slow them down and get them going as we wish. Already we are warring in the skies above us as Barbara and Viktor fight to get at their drones and protect our limited assets there. So far we are doing better than those bastards, but they have more than we do and it is getting skimpy up there. But the good news is that most of the enemy drones are soon to be focused on our first defenses and there we have surprises waiting. Come, let us get into position."



Author: Zen Gypsy

Bryant nodded as he walked, he recalled his Groupe d’intervention de la Gendarmerie République training, he spoke slowly, but with confidence. "If they have drones we'll need to be careful, elevated poistions for firing on the extraction team, we'll have to assume that Rowena is their priority, if for nothing other than the passcode in her head. Our shooters will need to be in covered positions, preferably backed up with marksmen, to ensure that the hits on the drones take them out of play."

He considered the options, "Molotov cocktails, they can be damaging but if they are used in outdoor spaces, intersections, parking lots, the damage to ferro-concrete will be minimal, and the resulting confusion and heat will disrupt any thermo imaging the mercs are using either in implants, goggles, or their drones." He sighed, inhaled the acrid smoke the slim once again, "This is going to get messy Vlad, but we need to be in position."



Author: Mercy Merchant

OOC: Head over to the Eva Cynthia thread for a bit.