Thinking on it, IC Princess sends an encrypted message back. I assume the legit copy has had its copy protection broken. Sure, send it my way. I'll send the creds yours.
Turning back to the others, she examines the map once more. "It would seem that the Spikes are the only target out in Tacoma, the furthest from us all. I suggest ignoring them for last to do a clean sweep of the closer targets. That way, we don't waste half our hour just in transit to and from their location. I would suggest hitting Humanis first, working our way to the Crime Mall to deal with the Chin, time permitting, moving on to the Skraacha for a more peaceful solution, all while I work the truck's systems in VR. That's a solid four targets, and if time allows, we can still hit up the Spikes after." She pauses, looking the others over. "Any counter suggestions?"
Full Version: Misanthrope's Masterplan [IC]
Willie does some figuring on his fingers. He doesn't really have to, but old habits die hard. "It sounds good for the close ones, but won't we be out of time for the Spikes for sure if we hit the truck where Belial said we can?"
QUOTE (Mulcarn @ Dec 7 2019, 10:18 PM) 
@Smiley - The bartender shrugs and begins to mix and serve your large order as per your request while Sting and company leer at you from the other side of the bar like you're an intrepid mosquito that's about to be swatted. To your enjoyment he lines up a plate filled with shot glasses of the Daisy's finest whilst also setting up a case of a dozen bottles of generic brand vodka. After you slot him 480 
that is.
that is.Smiley slots the barkeep 600 from his new stick and passes him a shot. "I'll grab the case as we leave." Then he gives a toast, downs a shot and blows a kiss to Sting while giving her team the middle finger over his shoulder as he walks back to the table with the plate.
IC Princess turns and looks to Willie. "Not if I hack the truck and have it meet us wherever. But yes, trying to hit all five is unlikely to succeed, since we can't split up."
Can Opener sighed again, and rubbed her forehead with one hand while slowly shaking her head.
"Time isn't the reason I wouldn't hit the Spikes, but fine. Whatever works. If Willie's OK with Smiley zapping the Skraacha, then I'm willing to patch his hide back together after the fact if it goes bad. You know they have shamans of their own, too, right? If the Queen of the Matrix here can jack a truck remotely, obviously that doesn't involve a lot from me, so I'll be on hand to patch up anyone who gets hurt whoring. Remember to wrap it well and tip your server. I'm pretty sure I can hit Humanis remotely in less time than it would take to drive there, but I might be tired afterwards so you better figure that in. I'd guess that a go-gang like the Ancients would prefer to drive everywhere with their engines screaming like angry sirens, so we might steal a march on them there. That means the only ones that require our presence in person are the Skraacha - and the pimp, if Smiley can't tempt him out with a bevy of elf girls for delivery - which might still be the lower risk and effort plan. But you know what? If they have the same targets, I can warn the Skraacha and the Spikes both faster than the Ancients can drive there, and we can concentrate on whores, junk food and bigotry."
Almost as an afterthought she says to herself: "Honestly, I know some people for whom that sounds like the perfect Friday night. Especially if the whores aren't getting paid."
"Time isn't the reason I wouldn't hit the Spikes, but fine. Whatever works. If Willie's OK with Smiley zapping the Skraacha, then I'm willing to patch his hide back together after the fact if it goes bad. You know they have shamans of their own, too, right? If the Queen of the Matrix here can jack a truck remotely, obviously that doesn't involve a lot from me, so I'll be on hand to patch up anyone who gets hurt whoring. Remember to wrap it well and tip your server. I'm pretty sure I can hit Humanis remotely in less time than it would take to drive there, but I might be tired afterwards so you better figure that in. I'd guess that a go-gang like the Ancients would prefer to drive everywhere with their engines screaming like angry sirens, so we might steal a march on them there. That means the only ones that require our presence in person are the Skraacha - and the pimp, if Smiley can't tempt him out with a bevy of elf girls for delivery - which might still be the lower risk and effort plan. But you know what? If they have the same targets, I can warn the Skraacha and the Spikes both faster than the Ancients can drive there, and we can concentrate on whores, junk food and bigotry."
Almost as an afterthought she says to herself: "Honestly, I know some people for whom that sounds like the perfect Friday night. Especially if the whores aren't getting paid."
@All - As you finish with your preparations and battle planning the five of you leave and gather together towards the front of the stage. The lights in the Daisy Chain brighten a bit just a minute or so before midnight, and you’re surprised to see how the place has emptied out. It hits you a moment later that almost no one is left except for surly, serious-faced elves in Ancients green… and you! Scanning the crowd again as you hear the Chain’s heavy doors swinging shut, you do spot a knot of elves that don’t quite match the rest of the crowd. Most of them are in flashy urban wear, the comfortable jumpsuits that are popular with city couriers. Even as the rest of the club’s elves are paying attention to Belial and Sting as they hop on stage, you notice that the other group of outsiders seem to be eyeballing you right back; sizing you up a little, if you’re not mistaken. One gives your group a dismissive sneer, and one with bright blue hair shoots you a wink before turning her attention to the action on stage.
Sting’s been a leader of Seattle’s most infamous go-gang for over two decades, so you’d expect this sort of stare down to be totally dominated by her; at a glance, though, almost the opposite seems to be true. Belial is big and strong where she’s leaner and lankier than most elves. He looms almost half a head taller than she does, and there’s an infectious energy to him as he bounds onto the stage that Sting just doesn’t seem to match. Everyone knows elves don’t get old and weak very quickly, but there’s an undeniable youth and enthusiasm that Belial’s got and Sting… just doesn’t. The crowd of Ancients responds to it, too, with more than a few of them pumping their fists in the air and howling encouragements to him as the pair square off.
Sting’s flashing Opticon cybereyes sweep the crowd a heartbeat later, and silence falls. “Li-goro?” Belial beats her to the punch, cutting off whatever she may’ve been about to say. “Llayah,” she says with a nod. “We’ll stick with English where possible, to be polite to our guests.” Sting clears her throat, and continues. “You declared a chal’han, and I accepted an hour past. The terms of the challenge have been agreed upon, and our proxies prepared.” You can’t help but feel a little less than “prepared,” given the circumstances, but why nitpick? Her canine implants gleam as she gives Belial a wicked grin, interrupting the solemnity. “Last chance to back down, kiddo.” “I declared a chal’han and you accepted. My proxies are ready.” Belial’s trained singer’s voice carries smoothly, effortlessly. “And it’s nice of you to ask, granny, but I ain’t quittin’ now.” “Accepted and confirmed,” a dark-haired, dark-eyed Ancient says from just in front of the stage. “So let it be done.” “So let it be done,” the murmur of dozens of Ancients echoes the proclamation.
“I present my seconds,” Belial says, lifting one powerful arm to point at your group. Removing any doubt, a spotlight illuminates your section of the dance floor, lighting up your crew for every elf to see. “Goronagee but professionals, paid honestly for services to be rendered. I declare them Milessaratish for one hour. They are my arms and legs, my beating heart and clutching grasp. They stand for me, and I trust them to bring me glory.” “I present my seconds.” As Sting’s voice rings out, a second spotlight fires up and rings that group of non-Ancients you spotted earlier. “Our Laesa cousins, paid fairly for services to be rendered. I declare… ” You can’t hear the rest of her formal proclamation, as the Ancients in the crowd respond with a wave of muttering. There’s an audacity to bringing in soldiers of a rival syndicate to take part in an Ancients rite, and it’s obviously not sitting very well with the crowd in green. Belial might have youthful enthusiasm on his side, but Sting’s showing she’s still as bold and cunning as ever.
“You don’t own every elf in this city, kid,” she says to Belial when the mutters stop. He doesn’t seem fazed by her choice of seconds though, still sound in his confidence in his chosen team. Sting takes his silence for assent and continues the challenge. “Let them go forth and serve as our own, garbed in our colors, doing our will. Let them strike down our foes, lift up our friends, and bring riches to this ranelles.” “Let them go forth … and kick ass!” He says in response, stabbing his fist in the air, to the laughter and cheers of the crowd.
Belial peels out his Ancients cut, holding the worn leather up for everyone to see, then swings his arm in a wide arc to toss the vest towards your group. “I say if they’re doing Ancients work, so let the Ancients take the heat for it. Who’s in?" Sting’s faintly glowing cyberoptics roll at his gesture, and she makes no move to follow suit, herself. “These people are standing in for us, and doing our jobs tonight. I’m not lettin’ ‘em catch the flak for it, or go out there without showing the world who they’re working for.” Belial’s tone carries a bit more serious ring to it, now, and you can hear the leader he’ll grow into with just a hair more maturity. “We’ve only got a couple minutes before the rubber hits the road, people. Who wants to do the right thing, and lend our proxies some armor?” That bit of cajoling is enough to get a heap of jackets shucked off and sailing your way, and in a few moments each of you can take your pick—some of these Ancients obviously take their muscle implants and steroids very seriously! Even your Laesa rivals have all slipped Ancients green onto their elf-thin frames. Belial has hopped off stage and is slapping the bare arms of every Ancient who’s surrendered his cut, favoring them with smiles or fist bumps, handshakes or quiet nods.
“Thirty seconds to go-time,” Sting whoops out from under the spotlights, canines and cyberoptics flashing, light catching her chrome-gleaming nails as she waves towards the doors. “Everyone, out front! Proxies, get onto your wheels!” The race is almost on.
Sting’s been a leader of Seattle’s most infamous go-gang for over two decades, so you’d expect this sort of stare down to be totally dominated by her; at a glance, though, almost the opposite seems to be true. Belial is big and strong where she’s leaner and lankier than most elves. He looms almost half a head taller than she does, and there’s an infectious energy to him as he bounds onto the stage that Sting just doesn’t seem to match. Everyone knows elves don’t get old and weak very quickly, but there’s an undeniable youth and enthusiasm that Belial’s got and Sting… just doesn’t. The crowd of Ancients responds to it, too, with more than a few of them pumping their fists in the air and howling encouragements to him as the pair square off.
Sting’s flashing Opticon cybereyes sweep the crowd a heartbeat later, and silence falls. “Li-goro?” Belial beats her to the punch, cutting off whatever she may’ve been about to say. “Llayah,” she says with a nod. “We’ll stick with English where possible, to be polite to our guests.” Sting clears her throat, and continues. “You declared a chal’han, and I accepted an hour past. The terms of the challenge have been agreed upon, and our proxies prepared.” You can’t help but feel a little less than “prepared,” given the circumstances, but why nitpick? Her canine implants gleam as she gives Belial a wicked grin, interrupting the solemnity. “Last chance to back down, kiddo.” “I declared a chal’han and you accepted. My proxies are ready.” Belial’s trained singer’s voice carries smoothly, effortlessly. “And it’s nice of you to ask, granny, but I ain’t quittin’ now.” “Accepted and confirmed,” a dark-haired, dark-eyed Ancient says from just in front of the stage. “So let it be done.” “So let it be done,” the murmur of dozens of Ancients echoes the proclamation.
“I present my seconds,” Belial says, lifting one powerful arm to point at your group. Removing any doubt, a spotlight illuminates your section of the dance floor, lighting up your crew for every elf to see. “Goronagee but professionals, paid honestly for services to be rendered. I declare them Milessaratish for one hour. They are my arms and legs, my beating heart and clutching grasp. They stand for me, and I trust them to bring me glory.” “I present my seconds.” As Sting’s voice rings out, a second spotlight fires up and rings that group of non-Ancients you spotted earlier. “Our Laesa cousins, paid fairly for services to be rendered. I declare… ” You can’t hear the rest of her formal proclamation, as the Ancients in the crowd respond with a wave of muttering. There’s an audacity to bringing in soldiers of a rival syndicate to take part in an Ancients rite, and it’s obviously not sitting very well with the crowd in green. Belial might have youthful enthusiasm on his side, but Sting’s showing she’s still as bold and cunning as ever.
“You don’t own every elf in this city, kid,” she says to Belial when the mutters stop. He doesn’t seem fazed by her choice of seconds though, still sound in his confidence in his chosen team. Sting takes his silence for assent and continues the challenge. “Let them go forth and serve as our own, garbed in our colors, doing our will. Let them strike down our foes, lift up our friends, and bring riches to this ranelles.” “Let them go forth … and kick ass!” He says in response, stabbing his fist in the air, to the laughter and cheers of the crowd.
Belial peels out his Ancients cut, holding the worn leather up for everyone to see, then swings his arm in a wide arc to toss the vest towards your group. “I say if they’re doing Ancients work, so let the Ancients take the heat for it. Who’s in?" Sting’s faintly glowing cyberoptics roll at his gesture, and she makes no move to follow suit, herself. “These people are standing in for us, and doing our jobs tonight. I’m not lettin’ ‘em catch the flak for it, or go out there without showing the world who they’re working for.” Belial’s tone carries a bit more serious ring to it, now, and you can hear the leader he’ll grow into with just a hair more maturity. “We’ve only got a couple minutes before the rubber hits the road, people. Who wants to do the right thing, and lend our proxies some armor?” That bit of cajoling is enough to get a heap of jackets shucked off and sailing your way, and in a few moments each of you can take your pick—some of these Ancients obviously take their muscle implants and steroids very seriously! Even your Laesa rivals have all slipped Ancients green onto their elf-thin frames. Belial has hopped off stage and is slapping the bare arms of every Ancient who’s surrendered his cut, favoring them with smiles or fist bumps, handshakes or quiet nods.
“Thirty seconds to go-time,” Sting whoops out from under the spotlights, canines and cyberoptics flashing, light catching her chrome-gleaming nails as she waves towards the doors. “Everyone, out front! Proxies, get onto your wheels!” The race is almost on.
As is usually the case, Willie is first off the mark, grabbing a jacket that amazingly manages to fit him and his added armour, if just the slightest bit tightly.
"I guess for tonight I'm an elf! Hah! Never woulda thought that."
He starts for the door, then turns to wait for the others. "Their ride, too, I guess, huh?"
Hmmm. Whut's this inside the jacket?
"I guess for tonight I'm an elf! Hah! Never woulda thought that."
He starts for the door, then turns to wait for the others. "Their ride, too, I guess, huh?"
Hmmm. Whut's this inside the jacket?
Selina
"I like that one," Selina had mentioned, when they noticed that other team, pointing her head towards the blue-haired girl. "She looks like she is having fun with it. Not so oh, I'm so serious like that other guy there." She gave her a friendly smile and a nod back.
"Take a good look at that group for me, Fiona. We need to know what we are up against."
Fiona started assensing the other team.
When the spotlight turned on them, she curtsied theatrically accompanied by a big smile. Looking at the offered Ancients garb, Selina wrinkled her nose a little. Did they even wash those over the last week? She picked a jacket, that looked small enough to fit her frame and, much more importantly, mostly clean.
"And, while you are at it, maybe take a glance at our boss for tonight as well."
As they went outside, she said to Willie: "Yes, tonight you are not standing tall, you are standing pretty!" Looking up to him and giggling slightly, the small elf added. "Though, I guess, you are still standing tall, too."
"I like that one," Selina had mentioned, when they noticed that other team, pointing her head towards the blue-haired girl. "She looks like she is having fun with it. Not so oh, I'm so serious like that other guy there." She gave her a friendly smile and a nod back.
"Take a good look at that group for me, Fiona. We need to know what we are up against."
Fiona started assensing the other team.
[ Spoiler ]
When the spotlight turned on them, she curtsied theatrically accompanied by a big smile. Looking at the offered Ancients garb, Selina wrinkled her nose a little. Did they even wash those over the last week? She picked a jacket, that looked small enough to fit her frame and, much more importantly, mostly clean.
[ Spoiler ]
"And, while you are at it, maybe take a glance at our boss for tonight as well."
[ Spoiler ]
As they went outside, she said to Willie: "Yes, tonight you are not standing tall, you are standing pretty!" Looking up to him and giggling slightly, the small elf added. "Though, I guess, you are still standing tall, too."
As the crew moves out toward the performance, IC Princess sends a command to the Rover, telling it to open the rear hatch where she has her drone bay set up. She then sends commands to the fly spies and roto-drones, commanding them to take to the sky over the area and inform her of any other drones active nearby. Finally, she commands the Rover to close back up once more as she pulls up AR windows giving her feed from the drones.
I have eyes, and guns, in the sky. Once we know their ride, I can shoot out the wheels. This was sent as a message to the others on her team. Slotting you into the tac feed. Make sure your links have their video and audio recording on so it can better assist you. Any other sensory data you can feed it, like smart link, from other devices will help as well.
As the other team is revealed, she scans for signals, trying to identify any implants they may have, or see who is most likely to be her competition. Mental note, try to get to know blue hair better after the job is over.
And then, jackets are being thrown at her and she's back in the meat, looking for one that fits fine. Green is so not my color. Ah well, at least I can get by without the helmet tonight. It's a bit too identifiable as me. Going with the shades. What's this in the pocket?
I have eyes, and guns, in the sky. Once we know their ride, I can shoot out the wheels. This was sent as a message to the others on her team. Slotting you into the tac feed. Make sure your links have their video and audio recording on so it can better assist you. Any other sensory data you can feed it, like smart link, from other devices will help as well.
As the other team is revealed, she scans for signals, trying to identify any implants they may have, or see who is most likely to be her competition. Mental note, try to get to know blue hair better after the job is over.
And then, jackets are being thrown at her and she's back in the meat, looking for one that fits fine. Green is so not my color. Ah well, at least I can get by without the helmet tonight. It's a bit too identifiable as me. Going with the shades. What's this in the pocket?
Selina
<< I would prefer, if we would not open any hostilities towards the other team. That would mark us as the spoilsports here. If they come at us, sure, just don't invite them. >>
<< I would prefer, if we would not open any hostilities towards the other team. That would mark us as the spoilsports here. If they come at us, sure, just don't invite them. >>
Quick Willie
<<But if they do start something, I get to blow out their tires, right? And the radiator? And slice off their rear-view mirrors with pinpoint accurate full-auto fire?>>
<<But if they do start something, I get to blow out their tires, right? And the radiator? And slice off their rear-view mirrors with pinpoint accurate full-auto fire?>>
Smiley takes a moment to consider the jackets, not for any style, but for a comfortable lining. He does keep hold of his though and puts it over the case of liquor as he hustles out. He knows a few places near where they are going, he tries to think of the one that probably has the seediest element. He is planning to incorporate it into his line.
<<Yeah, if they shoot, blow them to hell. Just get in the car, we have no time and places to be.>>
Smiley stows the case and gets in the ride.
<<Yeah, if they shoot, blow them to hell. Just get in the car, we have no time and places to be.>>
Smiley stows the case and gets in the ride.
Can Opener listened to the spiel impassively, looking rather like a broad-shouldered mushroom shaded by the brim of her bowler when the spotlight fell on them. A few sparkles glinted from the hardware on her jacket, and that was about it for fireworks from her. She barely spared the other team a glance.
"Well, whaddya know, it's mercs on that side too. Figures. We're just the entertainment in their stupid circus. If they posture any harder someone'll need a physiotherapist before the night's over. Oh yay, honourary elven gangster for the night. How super. I'm touched. And now I feel dirty."
She took one of the jackets thrown in their direction, and hooked it over her shoulder on a finger while hustling as quickly as dwarven legs would permit for the door; keeping up with others would always be a higher priority and a greater effort for her. One thing would help, and that was Quick Willie's broad wake, so she followed right behind him to the door.
Once just outside the doorway she turned and said: "Oi, Willie, that offer of a ride still open? Easier for me to cover you from nearby, and you said you had useful hardware in yours as well." She digs in a pocket of her own jacket with a free hand and pulls out what looks like a pack of cigarettes in neon hues, but doesn't do anything with it beyond holding it. "Besides, I hear you're real quick. Are your wheels quick too?"
"Well, whaddya know, it's mercs on that side too. Figures. We're just the entertainment in their stupid circus. If they posture any harder someone'll need a physiotherapist before the night's over. Oh yay, honourary elven gangster for the night. How super. I'm touched. And now I feel dirty."
She took one of the jackets thrown in their direction, and hooked it over her shoulder on a finger while hustling as quickly as dwarven legs would permit for the door; keeping up with others would always be a higher priority and a greater effort for her. One thing would help, and that was Quick Willie's broad wake, so she followed right behind him to the door.
Once just outside the doorway she turned and said: "Oi, Willie, that offer of a ride still open? Easier for me to cover you from nearby, and you said you had useful hardware in yours as well." She digs in a pocket of her own jacket with a free hand and pulls out what looks like a pack of cigarettes in neon hues, but doesn't do anything with it beyond holding it. "Besides, I hear you're real quick. Are your wheels quick too?"
"Yeah, well I don't know whut we ridin' in right now. The Ancient's boosted ride, the Princess's rigged Rover or my beast. I gotta get my SMG from mine if we go with some other truck. An' mine ain't any faster than hers, but on my bike, that's where I fly!"
Willie pops open his ride and slings the automatic over his shoulder. "Whutever we ride, stick close to me, C.O., and we'll bust sumthin' tonight. Yuh, know, this could be the beginnin' of a beautiful friendship, girl." He pats Can opener, about to on the top of her head, then redirects to her shoulder. One of those rare moments of sensitivity from the gutter punk.
Willie pops open his ride and slings the automatic over his shoulder. "Whutever we ride, stick close to me, C.O., and we'll bust sumthin' tonight. Yuh, know, this could be the beginnin' of a beautiful friendship, girl." He pats Can opener, about to on the top of her head, then redirects to her shoulder. One of those rare moments of sensitivity from the gutter punk.
"Mine won't fit five. The backseat has been replaced with my rigger's black box, and the rear is the drone bay. I suggest we take theirs to make it clear we're working for the Ancients to our targets."
IC Princess makes her way out with the others, slotting a clip of SNS into the fichetti. "If you've got a secondary weapon, I suggest loading it with non-lethal rounds in case we run across our competition." She then sends an image of the five members of the other team to one of the fly spies, with a command to follow them covertly. The rest of the drones are commanded to follow her. Turning to the mages, she asks, "Did either of you get a read on them? I can update our information on them for that inevitable interaction."
With another set of commands, the Rover opens its rear hatch, the doberman gets out, and then after grabbing her go bag with the guardian, B&E gear, and the helmet, the Rover closes once more. "Let's load and go. The drone and I will lay out in the back."
IC Princess makes her way out with the others, slotting a clip of SNS into the fichetti. "If you've got a secondary weapon, I suggest loading it with non-lethal rounds in case we run across our competition." She then sends an image of the five members of the other team to one of the fly spies, with a command to follow them covertly. The rest of the drones are commanded to follow her. Turning to the mages, she asks, "Did either of you get a read on them? I can update our information on them for that inevitable interaction."
With another set of commands, the Rover opens its rear hatch, the doberman gets out, and then after grabbing her go bag with the guardian, B&E gear, and the helmet, the Rover closes once more. "Let's load and go. The drone and I will lay out in the back."
Willie grins, "OK. Looks like I drive!" He grabs the rest of his gear and jumps into the driver's seat of the Ancients' stolen Rover. SMG stowed neatly and easily reached beside him, Ceska easliy reached in its holster, seatbelt well connected, Willie is ready.
The Rover's engine roars into life, and life gets a little better for Willie.
"Let's go," he shouts out the window. "Uhh," he speaks more softly. "where to, first?"
The Rover's engine roars into life, and life gets a little better for Willie.
"Let's go," he shouts out the window. "Uhh," he speaks more softly. "where to, first?"
@All - You all receive pats on the back, encouraging nods, and good-natured shoves towards the front of the pack as you and a tide of Ancients all rush for the doors at once. Carried along in a sea of green leather and pointed ears, you soon find yourself deposited by your loaner van which is emblazoned with an assortment of Ancients decals, stylized names and Celtic knotwork-even as every elf in sight is clambering onto their own iron steed. Racing bikes whine and shriek, Harleys let out their low-down growls, and headlights and honking horns ring through the air as the hunt draws nearer. There's a palpable energy in the air as you and the Laesa team saddle up, with Ancients lining the streets and roaring their encouragement.
Every sound dies as Sting's wiry form and Belial's powerful one take to the center of the street. They stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder, with Belial facing you and Sting looking at her own proxies a short distance down the block. Sting's chrome hand razors catch the light again as she lifts her arms, and the monofilament edges of Belial's huge claymore shine in the gathered headlights. He chants under his breath for a second, and then Ancients-green names crawl along the blade, and you see Sting shake her head and sigh at the garish display. Then, suddenly, Sting and Belial sweep their blades through the night air, and every horn and engine blare at once: the race is on!
@Selena - "None of the Laesa team are augmented or awakened. At least, not as far as I can tell. I sense confidence within them. Pride. Determination. Steadfastness. Willfulness. They aim to win Skye. They're bringing their A-game, and so should you. Blue-haired one in particular doesn't seem all that worried. This is conjecture but I feel as if she knows she's already won and is simply enjoying the ride as it were.
Belial is about the same since I last assensed him. If anything he's even more confident than the Laesa team in his victory. Interesting, that claymore is a weapon focus from the looks of it. And from the way his aura shifts and moves along with it's particular "brightness", I'd say he's a magician like you. His proficiency in the Art is less than mine and yours though. Same with that weapon focus. Can't tell you it's actual force other than it's lower than mine."
Every sound dies as Sting's wiry form and Belial's powerful one take to the center of the street. They stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder, with Belial facing you and Sting looking at her own proxies a short distance down the block. Sting's chrome hand razors catch the light again as she lifts her arms, and the monofilament edges of Belial's huge claymore shine in the gathered headlights. He chants under his breath for a second, and then Ancients-green names crawl along the blade, and you see Sting shake her head and sigh at the garish display. Then, suddenly, Sting and Belial sweep their blades through the night air, and every horn and engine blare at once: the race is on!
@Selena - "None of the Laesa team are augmented or awakened. At least, not as far as I can tell. I sense confidence within them. Pride. Determination. Steadfastness. Willfulness. They aim to win Skye. They're bringing their A-game, and so should you. Blue-haired one in particular doesn't seem all that worried. This is conjecture but I feel as if she knows she's already won and is simply enjoying the ride as it were.
Belial is about the same since I last assensed him. If anything he's even more confident than the Laesa team in his victory. Interesting, that claymore is a weapon focus from the looks of it. And from the way his aura shifts and moves along with it's particular "brightness", I'd say he's a magician like you. His proficiency in the Art is less than mine and yours though. Same with that weapon focus. Can't tell you it's actual force other than it's lower than mine."
Selina
"Thank you, Fiona!"
<< Well, that's interesting. The Laésa all seem to be unaugmanted mundanes. However, they appear extremely confident in this, as if they had already won. Our boss is pretty darn confident himself, though. Anyways, that is all I can tell you about them at the moment. >>
"Thank you, Fiona!"
<< Well, that's interesting. The Laésa all seem to be unaugmanted mundanes. However, they appear extremely confident in this, as if they had already won. Our boss is pretty darn confident himself, though. Anyways, that is all I can tell you about them at the moment. >>
As the two leaders drop their arms to signal the start, Willie shifts and fuels just right to make the Rover leap forward, just shy of spinning the tires and thereby wasting time. No cheap show tonight, we got a race to win, and we got the best driver.
March 14th, 2073, 12:05 AM
@All - Ah, the Crime Mall. At times a bustling black market in a very literal sense, at others it's a vacant wasteland (for at least a few days after a dedicated Knight Errant sweep). For the last several months it's been busy as can be, offering up an assortment of stolen goods, "fell off a truck" discounts on electronics, second-rate street doc services, and all while putting a roof over the head of dozens, maybe even hundreds, of squatters.
Around back, at what used to serve as loading docks with big, truck-sized, bays, is where Jimmy the Chin does his work. Or, rather, where his girls work, and he reaps the benefits. Known as a dwarven Golden Gloves boxer with delusions of mob grandeur, Jimmy lost his Mafia connections to the Chicago ugliness years and years ago. The Chin was freelance muscle and enforcement for a while after that, getting his whole extended family into the business. Right now, they've all semi-retired from the overt violence racket, deciding that it's easy to snatch pretty girls off the streets and make them do the hard work.
As you pull around the ash-covered expanse of the Crime Mall parking lot, you spot him just inside one of the loading bays, dapper in black Actioneer suit, standing next to a space heater. About a half dozen girls hobble back and forth in front of him in spiked heels and little else. Another dwarf built just like Jimmy, all shoulders and no neck, squat and powerful-stands next to him, looking around and checking his watch while one of the girls is no doubt on the clock with a customer behind some "privacy" curtains hanging in the loading dock. The two dwarves have too much in common to not be related, so it looks like you'll have a pair of brawlers to deal with one way or another.
@All - Ah, the Crime Mall. At times a bustling black market in a very literal sense, at others it's a vacant wasteland (for at least a few days after a dedicated Knight Errant sweep). For the last several months it's been busy as can be, offering up an assortment of stolen goods, "fell off a truck" discounts on electronics, second-rate street doc services, and all while putting a roof over the head of dozens, maybe even hundreds, of squatters.
Around back, at what used to serve as loading docks with big, truck-sized, bays, is where Jimmy the Chin does his work. Or, rather, where his girls work, and he reaps the benefits. Known as a dwarven Golden Gloves boxer with delusions of mob grandeur, Jimmy lost his Mafia connections to the Chicago ugliness years and years ago. The Chin was freelance muscle and enforcement for a while after that, getting his whole extended family into the business. Right now, they've all semi-retired from the overt violence racket, deciding that it's easy to snatch pretty girls off the streets and make them do the hard work.
As you pull around the ash-covered expanse of the Crime Mall parking lot, you spot him just inside one of the loading bays, dapper in black Actioneer suit, standing next to a space heater. About a half dozen girls hobble back and forth in front of him in spiked heels and little else. Another dwarf built just like Jimmy, all shoulders and no neck, squat and powerful-stands next to him, looking around and checking his watch while one of the girls is no doubt on the clock with a customer behind some "privacy" curtains hanging in the loading dock. The two dwarves have too much in common to not be related, so it looks like you'll have a pair of brawlers to deal with one way or another.
After getting the doberman and herself laid out in the back of the Rover, IC Princess gives it a command to protect her, then dives into VR, flipping into hot sim.
<<That's good to know. I'm going to get to work identifying our specific truck and hacking it. I'll keep an eye through the feeds, and update target data as it comes in. Let me know if something comes up.>>
And then she begins a data search, trying to find what specific truck will be at the specified location at the specified time.
<<That's good to know. I'm going to get to work identifying our specific truck and hacking it. I'll keep an eye through the feeds, and update target data as it comes in. Let me know if something comes up.>>
And then she begins a data search, trying to find what specific truck will be at the specified location at the specified time.
Willie
<<Drek. This looks too easy. I could kill him where he stands. Would that do?>>
<<Drek. This looks too easy. I could kill him where he stands. Would that do?>>
IC Princess
<<That could invite more trouble. Want me to get the drones on it?>>
<<That could invite more trouble. Want me to get the drones on it?>>
Selina
Forcing women into this kind of work was one of the worse things, Skye could imagine. It was right up there with a number of other atrocities. It might not take the top spot, but certainly somewhere within the top ten. She valued freedom and choice and those poor girls had neither. In conclusion, this put Jimmy rather low on her list of people she respected. She valued life, and he was still a metahuman, like everyone else. But this life could not quite measure up to that of others.
Still, there was a struggle inside her, between her personal outlook on life and her rapidly growing hatred for the dwarven pimp.
"So, how do we want to do this?" The words sounded a bit harsher than what the others were used to from her in the club.
Forcing women into this kind of work was one of the worse things, Skye could imagine. It was right up there with a number of other atrocities. It might not take the top spot, but certainly somewhere within the top ten. She valued freedom and choice and those poor girls had neither. In conclusion, this put Jimmy rather low on her list of people she respected. She valued life, and he was still a metahuman, like everyone else. But this life could not quite measure up to that of others.
Still, there was a struggle inside her, between her personal outlook on life and her rapidly growing hatred for the dwarven pimp.
"So, how do we want to do this?" The words sounded a bit harsher than what the others were used to from her in the club.
@IC Princess (Data Search from earlier) - They’re mostly Tír exiles. Every elf kid in Seattle that wants that type of life wants to be an Ancient, but the Laesa offer a second home to folks who’re on the run from Tír Tairngire. The Laesa are smugglers, particularly of drugs, like laes, which is almost their namesake. They make most of their money off old chemical narcotics, not BTLs. Never take a cigarette from one. Lots of their members used to be terrorists down in the Tír. When the revolution ended and they still weren’t happy, they took their skills and went freelance, instead of fighting for a cause. The mafi-elfies are starting to crowd the Ancients in parts of Puyallup, and neither group’s real happy about it. Laesa and the Ancients haven’t gotten into an all-out fight yet, and they’ll still band together against the Spikes or some other external threat… but the leadership of both groups are just too hungry for the same resources—Tír exiles, Portland smuggling routes, Tarislar turf, for this stand-off to last forever.
The autotruck is currently on the I-5 in Snohomish. Making it's course all the way down to Puyallup.
The autotruck is currently on the I-5 in Snohomish. Making it's course all the way down to Puyallup.
"Okay, here is the play, Willie, you are with me. If you don't think you can play along, be quiet and try to look out of it. No comms. We are going to get them to bring the girls out to us to look at. Ladies, when you heard me say FANTASTIC, that is your cue to start fireworks. I will put a hurt on The Chin and Willie will grab the girls and get them back here to the car. If either of you can drop the brother, good on you, but the key is shock and awe to cover us and get the elves out."
With the plan made, Smiley, in his own jacket, slips/falls out of his door, careful not to let it swing too wide. Laughing loudly, he rolls drunkenly and unsteadily to his feet. "COME ON BIG WILLIE, I toll yo dat dude from The Edge knew his drek. LOOL AT THEM LITTLE DOLLS!" Smiley begins overswinging his arm in a come on gesture at the Rover. He cackles lewdly and starts to lurch towards the dwarves He is taking his time, drawing attention and letting the rest get set up. "OOOOOO! we gonna PAAAARDAAY!"
With the plan made, Smiley, in his own jacket, slips/falls out of his door, careful not to let it swing too wide. Laughing loudly, he rolls drunkenly and unsteadily to his feet. "COME ON BIG WILLIE, I toll yo dat dude from The Edge knew his drek. LOOL AT THEM LITTLE DOLLS!" Smiley begins overswinging his arm in a come on gesture at the Rover. He cackles lewdly and starts to lurch towards the dwarves He is taking his time, drawing attention and letting the rest get set up. "OOOOOO! we gonna PAAAARDAAY!"
Willie, jumps out of the Rover, leaving the SMG behind, but still holstering the machine pistol. He waves both arms in the air, pumping his fists.
"Ujnort rohado! Me like, little man! Me like!" He slaps Smiley a good solid thwack on his back and strides along beside him. His tusks gleam with saliva.
One might think this is acting. More like a dredged up memory.
"Ujnort rohado! Me like, little man! Me like!" He slaps Smiley a good solid thwack on his back and strides along beside him. His tusks gleam with saliva.
One might think this is acting. More like a dredged up memory.
[ Spoiler ]
@Smiley and Willie - The two dwarves eye you suspiciously as you make your approach. Your... shall we say, less-than-graceful introduction doesn't do you any favors in regards to making a good first impression. On the plus side of things, the women don't seem to care or mind much about your presence. Too blissed out of their gourds to have much of a opinion about anything from first glance. Bad news, if you wanna call it that, is most of these women look to be in their late teens or early twenties. No sign of the kid Belial had mentioned from earlier. One of the dwarves, with whom you assume to be Jimmy, speaks up in vaguely Chicago-like accent. Clearly annoyed at your untimely arrival. "Go 'way drunks! I've no time for happy hour rejects. Beat it 'fore we beat you senseless. Capiche?"
IC Princess
Keeping windows of the various feeds from the drones in range for both hearing and listening, IC Princess commands each roto-drone to take aim at the dwarves, a drone for each of them. She then takes a quick look through the feed, determines which (if either) is Jimmy based on her research, and marks him as such in the tacnet for the others to see. Once that's done, she activates her stealth program (causing her white queen/white witch persona to become enshrouded in snow), and focuses her analyze program (a crystal ball made from a sphere of ice) on the node protecting the truck before she makes her on the fly back attempt.
Keeping windows of the various feeds from the drones in range for both hearing and listening, IC Princess commands each roto-drone to take aim at the dwarves, a drone for each of them. She then takes a quick look through the feed, determines which (if either) is Jimmy based on her research, and marks him as such in the tacnet for the others to see. Once that's done, she activates her stealth program (causing her white queen/white witch persona to become enshrouded in snow), and focuses her analyze program (a crystal ball made from a sphere of ice) on the node protecting the truck before she makes her on the fly back attempt.
"Naw man, you got this all wrong mu dude." Smiley said, recovering from the spill he took from the orc's pound, and climbing up Willie back to his feet. "We straight, srrsssly. We got the buzz on the honey from the bouncer at The Edge MAN! You gonna hook us up to party, we got PAID, an' now, we wanna get LAID!" Smiley busts out laughing at his own joke, and goes as close as he can to get high-fives from the two dwarves, checks himself with an "oops", and drops down with his hand still out at a now appropriate height.
Can Opener sat quietly in one corner of the back seat of the stolen Rover until it stopped. Then she took that pack in her hand, which turned out to be a pack of chalk in various colours. With this she started to draw something on the back of the seat in front of her which looked remarkably like a summoning pentacle. Non-traditional, surely, but presumably meaningful to her.
Still working, marking symbols and detailing them, she said to the others still in the vehicle: "Either of you object to me sending a fire elemental to light up Humanis and the Spikes? I figure arson will fit the bill, and elementals travel faster than bikes. Figure I can do that and still be ready to patch up the wounded. I can make it stealthy, in case you're worried."
Still working, marking symbols and detailing them, she said to the others still in the vehicle: "Either of you object to me sending a fire elemental to light up Humanis and the Spikes? I figure arson will fit the bill, and elementals travel faster than bikes. Figure I can do that and still be ready to patch up the wounded. I can make it stealthy, in case you're worried."
@Smiley and Willie - Complete ignoring your foolish attempt to give them a high-five. Both dwarves give the other a side-long glance before unfolding their arms, cracking their knuckles in unison before the younger brother of the two says. "Last chance, bub. Get lost or get dropped."
Selina
"If you want to send a spirit, be aware that we might need proof, that it was our work. Maybe IC Princess can send one of her drones over there? But it will take a while to arrive, I guess. Might not be the worst idea, either way, send one of your little spies to both places? What do you think, Ice?"
Since IC Princess did not seem to answer, Selina asked again via the commlink.
<< @IC Princess: Hey there, did you hear us? Can Opener wants to send a fire spirit to the Humanis place, or even to the Spikes, to torch it. I said, that we might need proof and your little spy drones could maybe record it. What do you think about sending one to both places? Could be useful either way, right? >>
In the meantime, Selina was hatching a plan to find any other girls, that were around the area for sure. There was one rather obvious place to look. This was more to her liking than beating up the dwarf, as much as he might deserve it.
"Fiona, come with me, make us unseen and let's find those girls."
When she exited the Rover, the elf was joined by a black cat, and soon their forms started to blur and meld into the darkness of the night, as Fiona concealed them. The pair kept their distance from the loud exchange and started heading for the loading area and towards the curtain. When they were close enough, Fiona used her telekinetic powers to lift the curtain just enough for them to get a peek inside.
"If you want to send a spirit, be aware that we might need proof, that it was our work. Maybe IC Princess can send one of her drones over there? But it will take a while to arrive, I guess. Might not be the worst idea, either way, send one of your little spies to both places? What do you think, Ice?"
Since IC Princess did not seem to answer, Selina asked again via the commlink.
<< @IC Princess: Hey there, did you hear us? Can Opener wants to send a fire spirit to the Humanis place, or even to the Spikes, to torch it. I said, that we might need proof and your little spy drones could maybe record it. What do you think about sending one to both places? Could be useful either way, right? >>
In the meantime, Selina was hatching a plan to find any other girls, that were around the area for sure. There was one rather obvious place to look. This was more to her liking than beating up the dwarf, as much as he might deserve it.
"Fiona, come with me, make us unseen and let's find those girls."
When she exited the Rover, the elf was joined by a black cat, and soon their forms started to blur and meld into the darkness of the night, as Fiona concealed them. The pair kept their distance from the loud exchange and started heading for the loading area and towards the curtain. When they were close enough, Fiona used her telekinetic powers to lift the curtain just enough for them to get a peek inside.
[ Spoiler ]
@Selina - Under the cover of darkness and shadowy magics, you and Fiona bypass any attempt at detection from the boxing bullies and their stable of drugged-up whores. And as Fiona peels back enough of the makeshift fabric barrier to let you take a gander inside, you bear witness to the true terror of the "life" these woman have had to endure. It's dark in the warehouse behind the curtain. But with your elven vision you are able to see enough to make you hate these men forever. There, you see an elf girl, roughly the same age as Squire, engaged with her "John" of the night. A massive horned figure, a troll, sits idly flat upon a mattress of some kind or another. She is knelt in front of him, practically on all fours with her face shoved into the troll's crotch. The troll, keeps a heavy hand rested on the back of her head, as if to keep his street-meat in place as she struggles to fellate him.
Willie tried. He really tried. He intuited what Smiley wanted to do, and went along. But when has talking ever worked for Willie? Never, that's when.
[ Spoiler ]
IC Princess
Spotting the message from Selina, IC Princess opens a window to the doberman's feed. As she checks the feed, she also spots Willie attacking the dwarves and commands the roto-drones to kill their targets. Finally, she sends the remaining fly spies to the addresses of the Humanis chapter and the Spikes.
<<Drones sent, give them a few minutes to arrive, then go for it. I'll tell you when. Let me check up on our competition.>> And she does just that, checking the feed from the third flyspy following the Laesa team.
Spotting the message from Selina, IC Princess opens a window to the doberman's feed. As she checks the feed, she also spots Willie attacking the dwarves and commands the roto-drones to kill their targets. Finally, she sends the remaining fly spies to the addresses of the Humanis chapter and the Spikes.
[ Spoiler ]
<<Drones sent, give them a few minutes to arrive, then go for it. I'll tell you when. Let me check up on our competition.>> And she does just that, checking the feed from the third flyspy following the Laesa team.
Selina
That troll suddenly became the focus of all the rage that was rising inside her, as her horrible thoughts became an even more horrid reality. Clutching one of her shamanic fetishes, Selina unleashed the magic of her spell fueled even further by the presence of her familiar spirit, reaching deep into the troll's mind, turning him into a mindless puppet in the process. Shall he find out how much fun that can be.
The one positive thing here, Belial certainly told them the truth about this.
That troll suddenly became the focus of all the rage that was rising inside her, as her horrible thoughts became an even more horrid reality. Clutching one of her shamanic fetishes, Selina unleashed the magic of her spell fueled even further by the presence of her familiar spirit, reaching deep into the troll's mind, turning him into a mindless puppet in the process. Shall he find out how much fun that can be.
The one positive thing here, Belial certainly told them the truth about this.
[ Spoiler ]
Can Opener was calm enough, waiting for word. When the machine pistols started to bark, she glanced outside from within the vehicle, just enough to make sure who was getting shot by whom, and if any uninvited guests started involving themselves in the wrong direction. At least initially, it looked as if Willie and Smiley had it under control, so that didn't require her attention. Her sympathy for a couple of pimps working with drug-addicted whores was absolutely nil, so she watched the high velocity body piercings without any outward emotion.
"Fraggit, that's loud. Thank the spirits for earplugs. Oh, well, this was never going to be a quiet job."
She glanced over at IC Princess, checking her for normal breathing and signs of distress, but so far things looked balanced on that front, so no cause for concern. After that, she did a deliberate scan of the environment through the windows of the Rover, looking for signs of other trouble.
"Fraggit, that's loud. Thank the spirits for earplugs. Oh, well, this was never going to be a quiet job."
She glanced over at IC Princess, checking her for normal breathing and signs of distress, but so far things looked balanced on that front, so no cause for concern. After that, she did a deliberate scan of the environment through the windows of the Rover, looking for signs of other trouble.
It's not often that Smiley gets completely surprised. This may be one of those times, but it doesn't show on his face. Instead he rises to his full height and, while walking back to the car, takes a hit off a silver flask.
@All - In a matter of seconds, events had escalated rather quickly. Perhaps, all things considered, rightly so. Jimmy the Chin barely knew what hit him before Quick Willie gunned him down into a pool of his own blood. Even before the shock and awe had set in, Billy Knuckles was under the same duress as his older brother. Willie, within the span of a second, managed to fire off two more rounds. The first only clips Billy in the shoulder. Making a tiny, oozing crater inside his expensive suit. With the second hitting him squarely in the thigh, doing the same again. The surviving dwarf, mad with bloodlust of his own from seeing his brother taken out like some random mook, assumes a defensive stance after narrowly dodging a distant drone headshot and charges forward. Preparing a superman punch directed solely at his brother's killer, Quick Willie.
@Selina - Judging by the terrible and sadistic smile on the troll's face. His horrible features of teeth, tusks, dermal plates and ugly hideousness. He was but a few moments away from unloading his awful seed into the underage girl's mouth. Well, that was the case until your spell had penetrated the soft barrier of his one-dimensional mind. Rendering him a prisoner to your magical domination. His gross enjoyment ends as he pulls the elf off his lower member and stands straight up. The girl, frightful and scared, looks up at him in abject terror as she anticipates some other kind and even worse form of punishment.
[ Spoiler ]
@Selina - Judging by the terrible and sadistic smile on the troll's face. His horrible features of teeth, tusks, dermal plates and ugly hideousness. He was but a few moments away from unloading his awful seed into the underage girl's mouth. Well, that was the case until your spell had penetrated the soft barrier of his one-dimensional mind. Rendering him a prisoner to your magical domination. His gross enjoyment ends as he pulls the elf off his lower member and stands straight up. The girl, frightful and scared, looks up at him in abject terror as she anticipates some other kind and even worse form of punishment.
[ Spoiler ]
Willie grins as the raging dwarf charges him. Waiting for just such an act, Willie lines up his assailant and drills him twice more. he doesn't even bother to do his favourite "burst of bursts". "Eat this, scumbag."
[ Spoiler ]
Drek! The little bugger is tough. Willie wonders, "where the fuck did Smiley go?"
The charging dwarf makes it to Willie, and he defends himself as well as he can against the wild swing.
The charging dwarf makes it to Willie, and he defends himself as well as he can against the wild swing.
[ Spoiler ]
Roto-drones
As soon as the combat starts, one of the drones takes its shot at Jimmy, whose head explodes in a spray of fine mist. It then turns, takes aim at Billie, and fires another shot, the loud report of a sniper rifle crashing through the air as the round zips past the target. Afterwards, Billie makes a rush at Willie, and at about the same time as he swings at Willie, the second drone takes its shot at Billie's head.
IC Princess
Watching the chaos unfold through the drone feeds, the hacker rigger also keeps tabs on the three flyspy drone feeds, especially the one following the Laesa team.
As soon as the combat starts, one of the drones takes its shot at Jimmy, whose head explodes in a spray of fine mist. It then turns, takes aim at Billie, and fires another shot, the loud report of a sniper rifle crashing through the air as the round zips past the target. Afterwards, Billie makes a rush at Willie, and at about the same time as he swings at Willie, the second drone takes its shot at Billie's head.
IC Princess
Watching the chaos unfold through the drone feeds, the hacker rigger also keeps tabs on the three flyspy drone feeds, especially the one following the Laesa team.
When Smiley reaches the car, he throws his jacket on the front seat, then he strips to his waist. Not intentionally showing off his washboard abs, but not trying to hide them either. Taking a small knife from his pocket and starts cutting the white t-shirt he was wearing into strips to use as wicks for the next missions. If left to his own devices he will start trying the cloth to the bottles.
@All - Another thunderous echo is heard, and then... Splat! Billy falls to the ground with a new, giant hole bored into his forehead. The enslaved whores, or I guess the more aptly called "formerly enslaved, not technically anybody's whores now" watch the commotion unfold in front of them with a passive contentment in their eyes. Seeing their captors die one-by-one in a gruesome, visceral fashion brings a tinge of hope and happiness to them. That, even through their addled senses, can pick up and reflect on. There is a GMC Bulldog Step-Van parked a ways down. If you had to take a guess you'd bet that would the same vehicle Jimmy would use to cart the girls around to and from whatever dungeon they call an apartment. Perhaps, on either his or Billy's body you'd find the keys to it.
@Selina - With both dwarves dead, your puppet finds himself stuck with nothing to do. With no command to act on. And with no will of his own. He merely stands in place. The young girl, sits motionless on the ground. Hugging both of her legs with her head bowed low.
@Selina - With both dwarves dead, your puppet finds himself stuck with nothing to do. With no command to act on. And with no will of his own. He merely stands in place. The young girl, sits motionless on the ground. Hugging both of her legs with her head bowed low.
Can Opener looked quizzically at Smiley while he stripped down. It wasn't hard to look; for a homo sapiens sapiens he was pretty good man candy. Still, it was puzzling behaviour until he started to reach for bottles, and then the penny dropped.
"Hey. Omae. You're wasting your time and your cloth. I can fire them up from here in under a minute, if I have the go-ahead from the team, and someone to guard my physical body while I do it. Go or no-go?" As if in explanation she waved her pack of chalk at Smiley. "That way all we have left is the orks and the truck, and you can take some time grabbing the joygirls before someone nastier comes along. If you want to."
"Hey. Omae. You're wasting your time and your cloth. I can fire them up from here in under a minute, if I have the go-ahead from the team, and someone to guard my physical body while I do it. Go or no-go?" As if in explanation she waved her pack of chalk at Smiley. "That way all we have left is the orks and the truck, and you can take some time grabbing the joygirls before someone nastier comes along. If you want to."
IC Princess
"Laesa are headed to Tacoma, possibly after the Spikes." While her mouth doesn't actually move, IC Princess's voice comes through loud and clear on everyone's commlinks, courtesy of the encrypted channel she just set up. "How quickly could your spirits hit there? The drone is still a few minutes out, even with flying straight there. I'd like us to be able to prove it was us."
"Laesa are headed to Tacoma, possibly after the Spikes." While her mouth doesn't actually move, IC Princess's voice comes through loud and clear on everyone's commlinks, courtesy of the encrypted channel she just set up. "How quickly could your spirits hit there? The drone is still a few minutes out, even with flying straight there. I'd like us to be able to prove it was us."
Can Opener heard .... nothing from IC Princess, anyway. Her commlink was still completely off, and about as relevant as a broken cinderblock in a trash heap behind the mall. Unless of course, IC Princess was also communicating through the Rover's entertainment system, in which case she'd have heard every deliciously rendered nuance of IC Princess's virtual persona.
Smiley keeps tying the rags to the bottles, but speaks his piece"So I realize you guys are all dark and crazy and too cool for school. I really get the whole 'I make the rules, I don't follow them' thing. That ain't me, I am here to get paid and have a good time." The Amerind took a swig off his flask. "That said, I do want to win. Belial said Don't Split Up and Don't Pick a Fight With The Other Team. You want to think you are smarter than him, go right ahead. I think you are pushing things by using your drones or spirits for Surveillance, if you use them aggressively without us being on site, I think we are screwed." Smiley threw up his hands as he made his point. "You have made it clear you are going to do what you want to anyway, this little scene has made that clear, so I can go that route too." Hefting bottle of the cheap vodka in each hand, he said, "I want to go blow up some bigots."
Selina
With both dwarves down for the count, the big troll just stood there, so she commanded him to run away towards the southern regions, away from them and their routes, as fast as he could, keeping the spell active until his mind managed to wiggle itself out of her grasp. Fiona also made him a little faster, so he really could make it pretty far in the time.
Fiona then dropped the hiding magic, Skye didn't want to scare the girl even more than necessary, the young elf pushed the curtain aside and approached her slowly.
"Shhh... your nightmare is finally over now. We will get you to a safe place. What's your name, girl?"
With both dwarves down for the count, the big troll just stood there, so she commanded him to run away towards the southern regions, away from them and their routes, as fast as he could, keeping the spell active until his mind managed to wiggle itself out of her grasp. Fiona also made him a little faster, so he really could make it pretty far in the time.
[ Spoiler ]
Fiona then dropped the hiding magic, Skye didn't want to scare the girl even more than necessary, the young elf pushed the curtain aside and approached her slowly.
"Shhh... your nightmare is finally over now. We will get you to a safe place. What's your name, girl?"
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