"Really, Igor?" Mato clucks disapprovingly. "What is it with Russians in this household?"

He turns to AM. "If you can slip back there without the ivy messing with your aura, please double-check for the ring so that this isn't some huge misunderstanding. I don't know how Igor would know about it back there but maybe Katya told him while you had her suspended in midair."

Mato deploys his skimmers. "Otherwise... I'll be off." Then he shoots down the hallway, doing his best to balance haste with the need to not plow into anyone at lethal velocities. He races toward the parking lot where the guests' cars are parked.

**That creepster** she says and frustrated she says to Mato Igor got here before us and is trying to escape. He is on a segway on the way to the guest parking lot. I'll help from the matrix but I cannot keep up with you. Move fast and search him for the ring! Trouble will make you even faster. She also asks Trouble to use his movement power to help Mato catch Igor before the parking lot and to help Mato in the bust. "Accelerate Mato and try to verify that the ring is indeed on Igor if you can, other than that help him as you see fit.


AM monitors Igor with the surveillance cameras and leads Mato to him. She also looks at his Matrix icons to see if she can help from afar.

Between Movement and Mato's skimmers it took about 10 seconds for him to get in front of Igor - shortly after AM found the matrix command for the segway to shut down.

Igor looked up when his vehicle suddenly stopped and Mato appeared before him - with a very stormy hairdo.

"What..."

"Sir," Mato says with a short, curt bow.

"Leaving so unexpectedly? Your presence is requested. Sir Pike and the Duchess would like to see you."

Meanwhile, Mato is sweeping Igor with the cyberware scanner in his arm, hoping that it can detect the presence of the ring. Or perhaps Trouble can identify its location.

Mato blocks the way forward, screening Igor and not letting him pass. He tries to let his body language convey that resistance is futile.

C'mon, he tells his sensors. Go baby go baby go baby go!

Mato found something in Igor's vest Pocket that could fit the ring. Meanwhile, Trouble had no problem to confirm that it was indeed the ring.

Igor replied: "Unfortunately, I have to go now. Unavoidable business. I'll be in touch."

He stepped down from the useless Segway and tried to move past Mato towards the parking lot.

Mato nods, having expected as much.

"Come, sir, let's not be disingenuous." He's pleased with the word, uncertain of where he heard it.

"The Blue Admiral is in your pocket. This is the property of Sir Pike and the Duchess. As an avid hunter, you should know it is not your quarry.

"Under the circumstances, I must detain you. Sir Pike may absolve you based on your history and personal friendship, but that will be his decision to make, not mine.

"Please accompany me back to Sir Pike and the Duchess for an audience. I would prefer if you did so voluntarily."

Mato leaves the threat implied and unspoken. He will use his shock hand if Igor becomes aggressive or tries to escape.

<<Found the ring>> he comms AM and Jawsey, although he figures that Trouble has already informed AM.

"How dare you!" Igor blustered. "Do you have any idea who I am, who my father is? Out of my way this moment, or you'll be in for a world of hurt."
Mato could see that the man was under strain and there were cracks in the veneer of his selfimportance.

AM tries to help Mato with a suggestion "Try to bring him in without violence, explain to him that there is a powerful spirit that plainly sees the ring in his possessions, and that matrix security has footage of him taking it. Tell him that he'd better come peacefully without making an embarrassing scene in front of the other guests. "[/color]



She relaxes a tiny bit, and hastily makes her way toward Igor.

"Your name is Igor Kaminzky. Your father is Vladislav Kaminzky, the Russian banking magnate. However, neither of those facts are pertinent at the moment."

Pertinent, that's good, that's good. Where do you get this stuff?

"What is relevant is that you have the Blue Admiral in your pocket, and I will not permit you to leave with it. A powerful spirit plainly sees that the ring is in your possession, and security has footage of you taking it."

Mato holds his palm open. Ostensibly this is a peaceful gesture, but in this instance is openly displays his shock hand.

"You may walk back under your own power, or under mine. Walking under your own power would be considerably more dignified."

Igor was fuming, but obviously understood how terribly outgunned he was. He dug into his vest pocket and threw the ring at Mato:
"There, happy now? You have no right to detain me. You'll hear from my lawyers."

Jawsey dismisses the spirit that was sustaining movement on Jawsey, and calls upon Uncle Laughing Eyes, a mischievous and occasionally cruel spirit whose appearance seem to differ somewhat whenever Jawsey called upon it, except for its vivid and mocking eyes. Uncle, we have a game to play, a game called 'can you fly without wings?'



He quickly messaged Mato for his location, and told him <<I'll attempt to hold him with a spirit, so you don't have to use force>> then flew there astrally. From the auras it was obvious enough who Mato had stopped, and Jawsey pointed out the other man, and asked Uncle Laughing Eyes "Uncle, Please materialize and then levitate that man, if at first it doesn't work, keep trying until it does. If he squawks too much feel free to have some fun with him, so long as you don't let him go anywhere."



Jawsey saw the weak spells that his spirit was trying to cast, and was sure that his aura was showing shame. His own fault for bringing a trickster spirit into a serious situation, he supposed. Should he have it try something else for its last service?

Mato lets the ring bounce off him harmlessly to convey Igor's impotence to him. He then picks the ring off the ground.

"Perhaps, I will, sir," he says to Igor. Unable to think of anything wittier to quip, he decides to kill him with professionalism. "But that is not my decision to make."

He wishes he could comm Cunningham to act as a liaison, but that's not an option at the moment. So he reaches out to Sir Pike directly; if Sir Pike isn't available, he'll communicate have Jawsey ask him. Jawsey is more eloquent anyway.

<<Sir Pike, the Blue Admiral has been recovered. It was in the possession of Mr. Kaminzky, who was attempting to leave in haste. Do you wish me to further detain Mr. Kaminzky?>>

While waiting for a response from Sir Pike or Jawsey, he tries to engage in Igor.

"How did you find out? Did you overheard Ms. Komarova or did she comm the location to you?

"Why would you do it? Why would you betray a personal friend?" He suspects that it's to escape his father's influence, to be independently wealthy and powerful on his own, but he'll let Igor speak for himself.

Pike replied quickly: <<Let him go. I'll deal with him at a later time. For the moment, I don't want him on my property at all.>>

Igor meanwhile fumed - likely more out of shame of having been found out and dominated then of true indignation. "Invictus told me. He didn't trust Katya. And when you told me that Invictus was gone, I knew I had to get out of here. That bitch is crazy. But I certainly wouldn't have let her keep the spoils of her betrayal. I would have given it back once I was out of her immediate reach. And now, get out of my way."

Mato isn't sure that scans. They told Igor about Invictus this morning before the hunt... why didn't he grab the ring then and escape while everyone else was off in the woods? Was Igor's hangover that bad that he couldn't have acted right then and there?

Mato steps aside to let Igor pass. "You are no longer welcome on Sir Pike's property. You may go. In fact, you must go."

Once Igor has been escorted off the grounds, Mato returns to Pike Hall. This time at a walking pace instead of at hurricane velocities.

He walks along a gravel pathway, the icy rocks crunching as he goes. He studies the Blue Admiral closely, reasonably sure that he's not going to get this close to an artifact from a dragon's horde ever again.

What is it about precious stones? he wonders. What's so different between this rock and the ones under my feet? The gravel is more common and the gem more rare, that's for sure. But what is the practical application of the gem, other than adornment? A status symbol.

But for all that, he can't take his eyes from it. The difference, he decides, is beauty. Beauty pays better than any commodity, and always will.

He thinks back to the tarot cards, and wonders if the ring might have any influence over him. He remembers the tarot card speaking to him, telling him to take off, run! No one could be trusted! And, for a flash, he has the same thought about the ring. How quickly could Mato get away? How low could he lay? Could he find a buyer - Urubia or Kalanyr or someone else - and live out the rest of his days in luxurious ease? Perhaps it is the same thought which struck Igor.

But then the moment passes. He's back in the present, walking up the pathway, pulling open the door to Pike Hall. He steps inside, where it is warm and pleasant, and makes his way through the gilded cage that passes for a mansion. He finds Sir Pike and the Duchess and presents the Blue Admiral with a flourish, pinching it between his gloved fingers while he bows. "M'lady, allow me to return this to you."

M'lady, that's what they say, right? That's not creepy at all, is it? I hope not, phew.

Jawsey hadn't decided what to do with his spirit's final service, when the the auras shifted to a less confrontational feeling, and Mato stepped aside to let Igor depart. Jawsey told his spirit to go astral and follow the man.

Personally he stayed with Mato --and the Blue Admiral. He was happy that Mato held the gem on the way. Jawsey enjoyed a chance to fully examine the remarkable magic stone.

As Mato entered the hall Jawsey split off and returned to his body, wanting to be embodied for the follow up.

Jawsey was able to confirm what he had heard and seen so far of the stone. A truly remarkable magical artifact.

The Duchess took the ring with a sad expression: "Thank you. I just wished all this never happened. Today I lost a friend and my soon to be husband two. In any case, you have shown exemplary service.
Thomas, I think we should cut our stay here short and get on with our tour. I don't think I can stand another night here right now."

"Yes Darling. I'm afraid the festive mood is gone for good. Let's take the jet to Maui. The MET can bring the ring back to the bank now. Having it around doesn't do anyone any good."
Pike turned to Mato: "While Cunningham is still absent, we'll stay in the family quarters. It is so vexing to not have him around right now. Seems like I have to ask old Thornton to take care of the preparations. Please relay that to the other staff as well.
As for Mrs. Komarova: Have her deported to her Motherland. I don't want to see her again. The death compensation for Lt. Fines family will come from her severance pay.
Likewise the bonus pay to your firm - for your discretion. This whole business is ugly enough without adding a scandal to the mix and reporters hounding the family."

"Yes, of course, sir," Mato confirms with a slight bow.

"We'll continue to support Mr. Thorton as necessary with any and all preparations.

"I'll relay your instructions for Ms. Komarova as well." Mato does not think that this is a particularly wise move, given Katya's history. He would not want someone so jealous and so competent out there in the wild if he were Sir Pike. Mato would have her stripped for parts to help neutralize the threat, although he would have to admit that his motivation would be to claim some of those parts for himself.

AM follows Mato quietly, it all happens so fast. She listens to the stories and feels a bit overwhelmed. She is uncertain that the ring is safe even now.

About two hours later, the whole house was busy: The staff - no matter how shocked they were - began to clean and close down most of the rooms in the large building. Final paycheques were rendered and the remaining guests politely disinvited.

Some of the staff was retained to keep the manor clean and operational. McElroy called Jawsey into his office:
"It seems as if our short cooperation already has come to an end. I'm going ahead to Maui to get the defenses ready there. Don't hessitate to give me a call should you come across some interesting magical phenomena in your line of work." With that, he transmitted Jawsey a commcode.

Brad, who was one of the Chasseurs that wasn't retained, spoke to Mato: "Nice working with you. Give me a call if your agency needs some subcontracting in security work. I'll likely be around in Seattle for the time being."

Van der Bloom had gotten the boot. He declined to talk to anyone and seemed to be not particularly interested in keeping in contact.

Finally, Cunningham returned - still tender from the shot, but well enough to help in the organisation of the departure.
The team found themselves summoned by him in the evening:

"I'm sorry this whole operation turned out into a bit of a fiasco. You did excellent work and I would have liked to retain your services longer. But the best laid plans...
Anyway, as compensation for your forgone earnings, I was allowed to add a little bonus onto your contracted payment. 5000 Newyen in addition to each of you - and of course you can keep your gear as a souvenir. The rest of the 50k has also been transfered. I probably don't have to specify that all that has happened during the last three days must remain absolutely confidential. Whoever breaks this confidentiality will face serious consequences.
Maybe we can do business again in the future. In any case I wish you all the best until then."

AM says her farewells to Van der Bloom >> Sorry for being such a pain in your ass, but it was a good run. she leaves him her business card but does not expect much.

She stands a little straighter when she realizes that they really are getting paid, and a bonus non-the-less. She sort of expects getting mugged or something on the way back as nobody is allowed to be this lucky without something terrible happening to balance the scales. The road out of debt was a long one, but that job was a step closer to financing her Erika. That outdated deck which was barely a deck for a serious decker... but she was a decker, or at least lucky enough to consider herself one, and her skills were sufficient. Perhaps it is more about risk management and selecting your hacks according to your actual gear and skills, more about the flexibility of approaching the problem with the right tool rather than committing to hacking at all costs.

The novelty though was the ever-present soothing present of the cat-shaped Trouble. With an ally that travels the speed of thought and the freedom to communicate with him merely by thinking about it. He was the best companion a sorcerer can have. A separate being, but still part of her in a profound manner. Perhaps like a child, but different because he was made fully capable, and in many ways complete.

She thanks Cunnigham "It was an honor working for you. and on her way out to pack her bag, she texts the team >>I am glad it worked out... I was beginning to worry near the end. They felt always a step ahead of us. Until Katya lost it. Once at her room, she allows Trouble to materialize and absently pet him, even risking a smile. "You are the best Trouble"

"Welcome back, sir," Mato tells Cunningham. "A remarkable recovery." Of course the recovery was due to the magic, not the man, but might as well give the man credit. The magic won't object.

"Yes, of course, sir, absolutely confidential." This means that Jawsey can't (or can, but shouldn't) flip the information to Lysander and that AM shouldn't be talking to Janet Dime. The bonus should help cover the opportunity costs of discretion.

Mato sees an opening and takes it.

"Are you adequately staffed for your travels in Hawai'i, sir?" he inquires politely. He even adds the little glottal stop, making the name sound like ha-VAI-ee. "We were contracted for the week and are thus available for the week. Our existing arrangement is sufficient to represent our time; we would only require transportation."

Mato is not above angling for a free trip to Hawai'i for the holidays. Better than Katya being shipped back to Russia in the dead of winter, that's for sure.

Jawsey thanks McElroy, and sincerely tells him "Working with you has been very educational. I've never worked alongside a professional mage before." slight emphasis on 'professional' to indicate both 'working as a mage' and 'being professional in approach. "I thank you very much for the experience."

He does what he can to help with the organizing and preparation, and providing security for that zoo. Certainly if he had been working here and wanting to steal something or settle a score, he would have waited for a time like this. (any thought of taking advantage of it himself was rapidly suppressed by the memory of their bonus, and of the size of the spirits that McElroy could summon).

In the end, he supposed things had worked out fairly well. The plotters had both suffered for it, their employers had survived, the SIS team had all survived unscathed. But at the same time there was something deeply unsatisfied inside him. As he stepped out of the way of a maid carting a load of linens, it came to him. He'd always seen his physical limits as more than balanced by his intellect and charm. After all, investigations were more about the mental and the social, right? Except that over the last couple of days that had not been the case. He hadn't been quick to move about, able to pierce the tangled events, charm extra details out of people. And at the end he'd been more of a clown than a player.

A line from a trid came to his memory "When you are in a drek flood, are you going to drown or are you going to put on your hip-waders and shovel your way out?" (geeze, he couldn't even take inspiration from a good trid, this one had been memorable mostly for the terrible writing). His thought had always been "Neither, I'll the one smart enough to stay out of a fragging drek flood." But this job had shown that sometimes there was reason to be in the flood. And if that was the case, he'd better be ready to shovel a lot harder next time.

Then he put all of those thoughts into a compartment to open up again later, pasted a smile back on his face, and went back to being vaguely helpful, occasionally amusing, and maybe on occasion a little flirty. Time to finish up this job in proper fashion, he could mope later.

Cunningham smiled sadly: "Ah generous offer, but the estate there is already fully staffed - and if you thought Hammington was stodgy, you wouldn't believe how stick-up-your-bum formal the tribal security there is. I have your contact number. I'll certainly call upon you again should the opportunity arise."

McElroy nodded at Jawsey: "Keep training that magic potential of yours. You are far from your limits yet. Find some sympathetic spirit and let them help you train. Not to mention, your other awakened team member. If you find another awakened to share with you, you could get an initiation circle going. That would benefit you tremendously.
Until next time."

With that McElroy departed.

The team found themselves much earlier than expected outside the estate, next to their car. The family had departed already and the manor house looked dark and forboding as no longer any light shown from the upper story windows.

The tree days felt like it had been months in a pretty alien universe. The road ahead leading back into Touristville brought with it the smells of the city: Smog, acid rain and teeming, unwashed masses. Time to get ready for a New Year.

Mato nods to Cunningham with a slight bow, and is thus dismissed.

He notices that Jawsey is quiet and, in truth, Mato is feeling contemplative too. He opens up a bit on the drive back to Touristville.

"I hit her as hard as I could," he says of Katya. "Didn't do a thing."

He shakes his head.

"It's tough to come up against something that doesn't even notice when you try to hurt it.

"I've trained with Wildcats. I know there's a whole 'nother level of skill and expertise above me - maybe two or three levels - and that's not even counting the world of dragons and immortals. But, physically, I'm strong as a troll and as agile as an elf. I thought that would be enough to keep me in the game... but not at Katya's level, it seems."

He looks out the car windows at the wet and grey weather in Touristville.

"Maybe this is my game, maybe this is my playing field. Maybe I need some more seasons in the minor leagues."

There is a flash of glory in his mind about his sparring with Chan, but Chan's just an amateur, like Mato. A skilled and able one, but not a professional. The only thing that gives him comfort is that he stayed out of Katya's reach (mostly by luck) and disarmed Katya (twice), although that was primarily due to AM lifting her off the ground.

"Good work," he says, patting AM on the shoulder as she drives. "That was a monster spell that neutralized the threat. I think I would have had to shoot her otherwise. Given how fast she is, success was far from certain. Yours was an elegant solution."

AM drives effortlessly, feeling less vulnerable behind the wheel. She may be small but that is a full-sized car she is driving.
She grins and says It is less terrifying when she is running away. The spell connected mainly by blind luck or because Iktomi found it amusing. Levitation is difficult to connect in that particular manner. You need to guess exactly where the person would be and then I must retain a line of sight to keep her in the air. A miscalculation would have me levitating thin air, and if Katya had a smoke grenade it would have freed her from my influence. Still, it was the best use of nine reagents in my career. I just felt that the Trickster would bless this spell - and Troubles helps a lot too. He intuitively understands what I need years of experience to accomplish. She says with a grin that does not reach her eyes. A deep sadness enveloped her for realizing just how resourceful she could have been to protect her lover. There was no excuse for such cowardice, could she change her nature like that? Were these life still relevant for her? She fled to the Anglo city of Seattle to get away from that Sioux nonsense and of her Shamanic bloodlines... but even in Seattle, she connected with Sioux people. She left the Sioux lands but that culture has never left her. The connection to the great spirits, and to her irrational Shamanic heritage remains, and that connection is a painful one.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable she comments. It was amazing that you picked up the drone, I lost control of it right after ordering it to land. I hoped you'll be quick enough to catch it but I was not even sure if it was visible. None of the sensors has picked but a faint sound out of its operation."