09:16:42 Monday 01 January 2063 - Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo chuckled, resolving to deal with that situation when it presented itself, and not a moment before. It took less than a second to switch from phone call to the main screen and less than three minutes of careful searching to determine that the only saved entry in the p-sec was the message she'd seen earlier that day. Turning the machine off and flipping it over in her hands, she begins the delicate process of taking the thing apart.

Come on, baby .. give me a little something, hmm?

09:19:25 Monday 01 January 2063 - Los Angeles, CFS

While the outside casing is Novatech standard, the innards are anything but. No serial numbers on the boards, the memory, or the processor. The construction is non-standard, something far cleaner and precise than should appear in a piece of consumer electronics. Even something high-end.

09:19:28 Monday 01 January 2063 - Los Angeles, CFS

Too easy, but .. beautifully made.

Barely even sighing as she goes about putting everything back together, Cosmo re-engages the manual steering controls on her little coupe, pushes somewhat insistently on the gas, and continues towards her apartment with a determined glint in her eye. She'd be damned if there wasn't time for a shower somewhere in her agenda.

Ghost knows what was in that goop this morning ....

09:36:48 Monday 01 January 2063 - Riverwalk Apartment Complex, Los Angeles, CFS

Sliding her keycard through the accesspoint at the underground garage, Cosmo taps the steering wheel impatiently as the heavy metal gate scrolls upward. Easing the BMW inside, she pauses next to the information kiosk and slide the card again. A cheerfully fake female face appears on the screen.

"How may I be of service, Ms. Richards?"

"Which parking space is mine?"

"Second level, number 161." The smiling face doesn't miss a beat. It struck Cosmo that only her paranoia and the fact that it wasn't a real live cheerful person kept her from putting a bullet through the face. Instead, she rolled the window up and went to find her parking spot.

A short ride up the elevator, a right down the corridor, and Cosmo slides inside the apartment, closing the door quietly behind her before drawing her weapon. A short hall opens into a large main room, tastefully done in post-modern minimialist. The curtains on the large windows are drawn, covering the room in shadows. Moving forward down the hall, the corner opens up to a small kitchen, with an open bar between it and the rest of the common room. A sliding glass door in the far wall leads to a small balcony, and a short hall leads back to the bathroom and bedroom. All prove to be empty as Cosmo sweeps through.

0340 Saturday January 6, 2063 - looking for a stage or back door

A friendly, but professional female voice answers, "Name and ID please." The camera moves slightly, appearing to attempt to focus in on the two of them as they stand outside the loading dock entrance.

17:57:07 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - 10441 Pacific Court Way, Seattle, UCAS

Tenmou orally recites his checklist.

"Pick up Miss Omura at 1330 at 6461 Woolfes Lane, take her to her 1400 appointment at 905 West Park Ave in Tacoma and return her to her apartment."

Lifting the credstick from the desk, he stands and bows to Mr. Omura. "Is there anything else, Omura-san?"

1245 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

Still speaking in that calm, mechanistic tone, Dragon addresses the shaman again. "We have three choices. One. Leave her to die of a drug overdose. Two. Actively facilitate the process." It was chilling, the detached way that the mercenary said, 'facilitate'. He was saying, 'kill her' in a polite, almost civilized tone. It almost made one forget what he really meant. Almost.

Without missing a beat Dragon continued, "Three. Take her to the clinic with us and let the doctor take care of her. Surprising, I know, but it appears that our other two alternatives may be a bit...inhumane. Besides, if you trust this woman to keep quiet, it may not be so unreasonable to trust her to keep this girl quiet as well. Note also that I am only stating possibilities, not inputing my opinion at this moment. What do the rest of you think?"

17:57:52 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - 10441 Pacific Court Way, Seattle, UCAS

Omura stands and bows as well.

"Not at this time. Arigato."

0340 Saturday January 6, 2063 - looking for a stage or back door

"Hang on a sec, I've got it right here in my purse ..."

Alianna proceeds to fish desperately through her purse. Her shivering is making her a little clumsy though: paper clips, kleenexes, a tube of lipstick, a credstick-sized pencil slip out of her fingers and into the muck at her feet. Finally, in pouting frustration, she turns to Blaze, hands against his chest: "You told me you could get me in to see them!" Everything about her promises, and withholds, and cries out her sheer frustration.

And back to the camera, still fishing blindly through her purse: "Look, hon, please, can't you just cut me a break? He'll make it worth your while ..."

17:58:11 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - 10441 Pacific Court Way, Seattle, UCAS

Tenmou looks at Miss Omura and lightly bows.

"I will see you tomorrow, Miss Omura."

Turning to his employer, Tenmou says "Arigatau, Mr Omura," before turning and leaving the conference room, heading back the way he came.

0340 Saturday January 6, 2063 - looking for a stage or back door

"I know, I'm sorry. Here, listen buddy, we both know how it is, how much is it going to take for me to let my chica see the band?"

As he speaks Blaze carefully pulls a large stack of bills out of one of th coat's pockets. "Come on, I promise we won't do anything, she just wants to see them up close." As a shiver passes thourgh his body, "Just let us in, it's fragging cold out here."

18:03:30 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - 10441 Pacific Court Way, Seattle, UCAS

Downstairs, the anonymous bodyguard holds the door for Tenmou again, stepping inside before closing it this time.

"Have a good evening, sir."

In the short time the meeting required, it has begun to rain, a hazy mist descending across the metroplex. A taxi idles at the curb.

0340 Saturday January 6, 2063 - looking for a stage or back door

The other end of the intercom is silent for a moment. Then a burst of static comes through. After a moment, it clears, and the door slowly swings open. The female voice says smoothly, "Please enter the Paradigm Shift. Enjoy your stay." The open doorway appears to lead into a hallway cum storage area of some sort. The intercom is silent, and the entrance beckons to the pair...

0340 Saturday January 6, 2063 - looking for a stage or back door

With a breathless and tossed out "Thank you," Alianna never hesitates. Or, rather, she hesitates just long enough to notice that Blaze is not quite as fast off the mark as she is. "Well, come on," she says sharply, tapping her foot impatiently as the anticipation floods her aura. "They won't wait for us forever ... and neither will I," she adds, that throaty note of anticipation and promise drifting once again into her voice as she vanishes into the doorway.

0340 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

Blaze's voice is slightly playful, "You know I try to never keep you waiting." As he walks in Alianna can see that Blaze's movements are more fluid than normal, almost as if he was wired, but she knows the mage has no cyber on him.

As he enters the building Blaze's senses are on high alert, wary of any sort of attack.

0340 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

And almost immediately they both run smack into a wall. Not literal of course, but the type of symbolic wall that only a pair of massive individuals, in this particular case, a troll and a human, can convey. About 10 feet into the loadin/storage area the physically imposing duo steps from the shadows, in rhythm with the back door slamming shut, an audible *click*, most likely indicitive of a locking mechanism, following almost instantaneously.

Despite their menacing appearance, the pair keeps both their hands in plain sight. A quick astral scan on Blaze's part indicates that they are both heavily cybered, as he expected. Before either he or Alleycat can do anything, the human nods at him respectfully and says, "Sir, if you will please come with us. There is someone who would like to speak to you."

The troll adds, "It was clever of you, to disguise yourself by using a groupie as cover to your identity, but you will find the security here is very good."

Nodding, the human adds, "Our boss said the girl can go see the band. She has nothing to do with this, and what is to be discussed has nothing to do with her." Without so much as a hint of a leer, he continues, "Your promises to her will not go unfilled, at least, not because of any fault of ours."

Alleycat is impressed. Muscle or not, they are both polite and reasonably well-spoken. They've obviously been trained and polished, and are thoroughly professional in their conduct. Just what kind of place is this, anyway? Whatever it is, there's a heck of a lot more than meets the eye... she muses.

Stepping back and slightly apart, to allow Alleycat to pass, the troll gestures towards the dance floor. "Ma'am. If you'll excuse us, we'll return your boyfriend to you shortly."

Looking over at Blaze , the human asks once more, "Sir?"

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

"Hang on," she protests at once, staring at the two massive shapes who are blocking her way -- "Hang on," she begins again, and again stutters to a halt, so obviously torn between the band and Blaze that her entire body literally sways. "Tiger, what's going on here?"

Blaze spreads his hands, and there's just the hint of a building mana in them. "Your guess is as good as mine."

She turns back to the others, the hunger overt in her: "I'm clear to jive?"

"Yes, ma'am," the troll repeats levelly, without emotion. "If you'll excuse us?"

"And you'll return him shortly?" Her head's cast back as she looks up at them, her body's completely open to the two of them, her hair spilling down the nape of her long neck, pale against the black dress and the artificial lighting. "I need him."

"Yes, ma'am," the troll repeats again. "We'll return him to you shortly."

But just before she leaves she presses suddenly very tightly against Blaze and kisses him, deeply and thoroughly. It surprises him enough that the spell dies uncast. "Don't keep me waiting," she whispered.

18:05:49 Wednesday 03 January 2063 - 10441 Pacific Court Way, Seattle, UCAS

Tenmou nods a quick thanks to the bodyguard before hunching over and hurrying to the cab waiting for him.

He quickly steps into the cab and gives the cabbie an address not far from his place of residence.

1246 January 6th, 2063 - Alley outside of Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

Watching the child trembling within Tiffany's embrace the reality of her condition set in. . .Cold be damned, warming her up isn't going to do much for her if she doesn't get medical help immediately.

Even more depressing than the sight of the sickly girl were the recesses of Virgil's own personnel introspection. Hearing the detached tone in Dragon's voice only made Virgil painfully aware of the fact that, had he made but a few different choices in his life, he might be holding the same cold judgement.

"We can't leave her to die like this, not on my watch. We'll bring her to the clinic with us, I'll call
Juliette and Galina from the car so they can be ready for her."

Maybe his companions would not agree with the action. Someone has to stand up eventually.

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

Still caught slightly off guard by Alleycat's action Blaze does manage to grab her arm before she walks away.

"Unless you two have specific orders to stop her I'd like her to acompany me." Turning towards Alleycat "I know you wanted to see the band, but I'd prefer if you came with me to finish this first. Would that be ok?"

As he speaks Blaze continues to try and at least pretend Alleycat is nothing more than a friend, or "groupie" disguise. Staring at the "guards" the entire time they can feel Blaze's personality radiating off of his body, it is almost a palpable force.

1330 Saturday, January 6th, 2063 - Alley outside of Virgil's Redmond Safehouse

"Clinic, then. Sybersnake, what is the status of the car?"

Pulling her head and shoulders out of the back seat, the Latina gave him a short nod: "I think that's as good as I can get it. Good thing you didn't spring for fabric seats."

I did. That's another thing the dealership stiffed me on. But the other part of Dragon, the part that had stepped back from his statements of fact long enough to listen to them; that part was starting to wonder if a scanky car dealer in a bad suit was really such a big deal, here and now. You have much worse problems, Dragon -- starting with what you see in the mirror.

He didn't glance at it, just closed the door and pulled away the moment they'd dealt with the sheets as Virgil suggested and had all piled in, the shivering kid between the two women in the back. Sybersnake was looking very good for someone who'd nearly died a couple of hours ago. The kid stank.

We've got that meet at the clinic anyway. We can ditch the kid there.

As he drove he picked up the harsh sound of Virgil's voice, calling ahead to warn of their arrival:

"Hello, Juliette? Oh, she's not in yet? Who am I -- Trank? Ah. It's Virgil. What do you mean, which Virgil? The one who was -- Well, if you knew, why did you ask?" The shaman closed his eyes. "Look, will you just -- no, that is -- look, is Galina around? No, I -- How about Father -- Look, can you just tell her we're heading in, and we've got someone with us that needs her? Thank you."

Closing the phone, Virgil allowed the sigh to escape. "That was Trank. He can be a bit weird sometimes. Galina's around, but she's with a different patient right now, not our woman. Juliette's due any moment. But he'll tell one of them we're coming in."

Dragon nodded acknowledgement, just as a second call came in -- or more exactly, something resembling nothing so much as a visualised text message: by itself enough to identify the sender, but only to someone who already knew him. In person was one thing, but over anything which could become an open circuit Global had always been cautious, almost never letting anything of personality slip. Probably that degree of paranoia came with the territory, being an ex-spook.

• Tiffany report obtained, tracing. Age analysis confirms that baseline voiceprint is at least five years old, with current overlays. Further analysis pending.

Automatically Dragon checked the chrono. Slightly less than an hour. Not bad. Not bad at all.

• Pieter deVeers SIN on open market 1217. Construct, not original. Tracing.
• Hawkeye freelance longrifle, member of Red Team, listed as on-contract. Tracing.
• Other members of Red Team: Calla, leader; WhiteNight, hermetic mage (confirmed dead [ref: L-S 1-6-63-14a] - Virgil?); Jorgen, rigger; Sonny Boy, close combat expert (confirmed DocWagon pickup [ref: DW resc. 10-17//63]), You-Jay, decker. Contact through Calla. Contact?

As the message scrolled down the mercenary closed his eyes. It had been a long time since Dragon had pulled a job for the information broker who'd helped him in the shadows and whom he'd helped to establish in turn. It had been even longer since their paths had crossed for long enough that they could just talk. He couldn't even claim that all of it was duty; he'd been finding ways to re-define duty around his own independence of will enough times. I wonder if I ever told him about Christina.

• Heads-up: something major going down in Seattle, < one month projection.

A sharp message end, no message sign-off. Global never does.

As Dragon pulls up outside the clinic, he catches a glimpse of a couple of street kids outside, watching him. Waiting. Remembering the swarming from last time, this time as he steps outside the car he lets his coat swing open and starts to draw the Savalette. It's enough: the kids scatter instantly, and word would be around almost as fast. Had it had been necessary, would he have carried the action all the way through? Dragon is honest enough with himself to admit that he really doesn't know.

Virgil helps Tiffany out with the kid, and within two steps is carrying her -- or struggling to carry her, she's shaking too hard to make an easy burden, and she's not got the strength in her to walk. Blood has started to drip from her, nose and ears and eyes. As Sybersnake is about to step out of the car, Dragon sharply tells her to stay inside, out of sight.

Maybe, just maybe, they'd lost the drone, or maybe there never was a drone -- but Dragon wasn't about to count on it, especially now. It would have had difficulty picking them up in the alleyway in any case: but the car -- that was identifiable enough, once it had been marked. Unconfirmed target. Sybersnake steps even once into view, and she'll make it certain.

"Got to pee," she hisses urgently. "Want me to do it in a can? -- wait, don't answer that."

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

The troll and the human look at each other, just slightly, not enough to be distracted, but enough to get a confirmation. Something seems to pass between them for a moment, and then the troll turns smoothly and says, "Follow me." Waiting for Alleycat and Blaze to fall into step behind the troll, the human brings up the rear.

Apparently unconcerned about whatever potential threat the pair of them might pose, the troll strides swiftly down the hall, leading them out into the main dance floor and then along the wall. Following behind closely, the human keeps enough space between himself and Alleycat, who's following Blaze, so as to be respectful, but close enough that if she was to try something suspicious, there's no doubt that he'd be on her like white on rice.

Leading them back to the main area of the club, the troll leads them to the elevator, the same one they took to see Mr. Fan. Packing themselves into the elevator seems positively claustrophobic, the mass of their escorts seeming to expand to fill the bulletproof glass walls.

With a soft ping, the elevator opens, and once again the group falls into formation. Leading them back to the VIP rooms that line the back wall, the troll strides into the room and casually takes up a position leaning against the back corner.

Awaiting them inside is a well dressed elf. His sharp, angular features and his shoulder length silvery hair are complimented by a sleek, black pinstriped suit. Power business all the way, the outfit practically screams. Rising, he motions the pair into the room, and once they're both inside, the human steps in as well, closing the door and then standing just slightly to the side of the doorway. Stepping forward slightly to greet them, he offers his hand in greeting.

"I do not believe we have met. Perhaps we can rectify this injustice immediately, yes? My name is Atriel, and you sir," he nods to Blaze, "would you do me the honor of introducing me to yourself and your lovely companion?"

Playing her role to the hilt, Alleycat, or should that be Alianna, lowers her head slightly yet makes eye contact nonetheless, and blushes, seemingly on command, the slightest hint of a pleased smile on her lips.

Dear sweet fragging Leopard! How the frag did I go from a quest to find my cousin to playing patty cake with some poncy elf bastard who's hitting on my gir...er, Alleycat?

Blinking, a languid, catlike, sort of blink, Blaze immediately processes his previous thought before responding. Girlfriend? What the frag am I thinking? That kiss felt real though. Either she likes me more than she's letting on, or she's a really good actress? Out of our crew of what, five, six, she's the only one who's here. What is her game anyway? And why the frag am I thinking about this when there's biz right on the table. Damn it all...

And then it snaps to him that in the millisecond or so he's been thinking, the elf has still been holding out his hand, waiting for Blaze's response...

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

Alianna opens her mouth again, you just know that what's about to come out again is another, possibly more irritated "What's going on?!?" but somehow everything after the "wh--" seems to die away into a sort of strangled sound.

I knew it, I just knew it, it was too good to be true, there had to be a catch somewhere. Although as catches go, he's still not half bad. A smile begins to play around her lips. I guess I'll just have to go along with it for now ...

Trailing Blaze, trailed in her turn by the human, she only casts a single, slightly desperate glance down toward the dance floor through the bulletproof glass of the rising elevator. As metaphors go, it beats the hell out of Dante's Inferno.

As she examines with interest the elf who'd suddenly appeared in her life, he extends a hand and asks Blaze to introduce the two of them. She blushes and lowers her head slightly, and extends her own silkily gloved hand out to him. "Alianna," she says lightly. "You seem to already know my date."

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

Extending his hand Blaze shakes Atriel's hand, firmly, in an obviously corporately trained handshake. "My name is Blaze, and as you heard my companion would be Alianna. But you apear to already know a fair amount about myself. What can you tell me about my cousin."

What's am I thinking, "Girlfriend?" No, This must be part of her cover. I wish it wasn't though, she's nice enough. What am I on?! Bussiness, especially family bussiness before any thoughts about my personal life.

With that thought Blaze's attitude shifts visibally, he has once again taken on almost the embodiement of the Leopard's Ideals.

1845 Monday, January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

Dial ... stir ... dial ... add in more of the radical carefully, the powder must dissolve completely ... dial //

-- Arriving at Sara's that first day with Henry Castile, long before he'd really understood in himself what "Awakened" meant and what it was to mean, eighteen years old and thinking he knew everything -- old, in the way that everyone over thirty is old to a teenager, but still youthfully beautiful -- and then he'd sneezed, it was autumn and the fragging pollen was all over the place, and she'd smiled at him and handed him a hankerchief, not a disposable thing but a sturdy square of cloth edged with lace --

// Andie started. Vivid that had been, not so much remembering as re-living. He'd never experienced anything like that before in his life. At one and the same time he felt energised, as always when the mana was flowing through him, and drained as though he'd been casting.

His first thought was for the circulation, too much invested in that. The golden globules indicating the beginning of the next stage, which he'd been hoping to see now for some time, were textbook-perfect.

Outside, the time on the chronometer was blinking 2005. Solomon had left. The place was locked up for the night.

Somehow, he'd lost over an hour of time.

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

The elf looks at him quizzically, and both Blaze and Alleycat sense genuine confusion on his part. "Pardon me, but perhaps there has been some mistake? It is you who have come here, quite obviously with intent to do something other than relax and have a good time. I do not know who you are, and I certainly have no idea who this cousin is you refer to."

Gesturing to them both to sit in soft, cushy chairs across from him, he takes a seat himself. "I admit, it is odd for me to be so forthcoming about what I do and do not know, but in this particular case I feel I have nothing to lose by being honest with you."

Steepling his fingers in front of him, he continues, "There, I have laid out my position for you and answered your question. Perhaps you will be so good as to answer one of mine? Who are you and what do you really want here at the Paradigm Shift?"

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

As though it were on an invisible string and with just a wisp of regret, Alianna's gaze drifts involuntarily back toward the back wall -- and is brought up with an abrupt halt by the two massive forms still there. With a sigh she gives it up, settles deeply into one of the chairs and crosses her legs. "Whatever else," she says, "your two men there recognised him," and her hand slips across to enlace itsef in Blaze's, "and that's why they brought him up here. If you're being honest with him, why aren't you telling him why you wanted to meet him?"

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

With a thin smile, Atriel replies, "My dear lady, you will find that the security here at the Paradigm Shift is quite good, since that is after all one of our major selling points. Your friend here is... distinctive , and made quite an impression the last time he was here. When it was made known to me that he was trying to sneak in, naturally I assumed that his intentions were somewhat less than benevolent, and decided that it would be in our mutual interest to discuss those intentions in a non-confrontational way."

The two massive goons crowding the room seem to contradict this statement, but Alleycat decides not to press the point for the moment. "Allow me to reiterate. You are quite obviously a competent individual, Mr. Blaze, and you sought illicit entry for more than just wanting your lovely companion here to see our band backstage. So I ask you again, why are you here, and what do you want with the Paradigm Shift?"

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

*ooc: after Alleycat/Alianna's comment*

"I told you the Leopard's truth. I'm here to find my cousin. I have been tracking her for a few days now. I had found where she was hiding from the people who were after her. However, when I arrived I found her hiding place empty and burned. The only thing I found in that building, whether astral or physical, was a half used pack of matches with this institution's name on them. So naturally I followed that lead. I am here to discover her where abouts, and right now, this building is the only lead I have."

While speaking Blaze's mind slips quickly to his hand, now intertwined with Alleycat's Is this part of her cover, or for real. No, bussiness and family first. Focus Blaze, focus!

"So now I ask you for the truth, why was this pack of matches in a building that had been severly burned, except this one pack?"

0341 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

"Oh, I can definitely believe he made an impression," smiles Alianna. "You're the owner of this place? Wicked cool! Pleasure to meet you," and you can tell she means it. "You've got an amazing place here." She laughs, pulling out the half-burnt book of matches and lighting a cigarette. "Me, now, that's different: soon as we get out of this I'm so there -- but why would you think he'd want to sneak in?"

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

Bursting through the double-steel front doors of the clinic Virgil was barely aware that Dragon was still at the car with Sybersnake . . .barely aware because their was someone who needed help far more urgently. At the curb in front of the clinic the girl's sudden convulsing had forced Tiffany to hook under her shoulders as Virgil grabbed her legs.

Crossing the threshold into the chess-board tiled reception area, a waiting Trank pushed a wheeled stretcher towards Virgil and Tiffany. The girls convusions were now violent enough that Virgil was sturggling to keep her legs grasped and the chance to lie her down on the stretcher did not come an instant too soon.

Trank begins fumbling with Tiffany to try and strap the girls legs to the bed. Standing over the violently sick girl Virgil could only feel helpless to come to her aid . . . and the helplessness bore out in his shout.

"Juliette, Galina we need help now!"

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

In seconds the small reception area is a hornet's nest of activity, as three, four gloved, masked people join Trank and Virgil in forcing her onto the stretcher, strapping her down and covering her in some kind of plastic tent. Galina joins them then, identifiable only by her build for she too is gloved and masked.

"Another one," she sighs. And then roughly, unquestioned command: "Virgil, you --" in Tiffany's direction "-- come."

With a sudden, sinking feeling, Virgil realises what that moment of hesitation had been before Trank had wheeled out the stretcher to meet them: he'd stopped to put on elbow-length surgical gloves and the mask.

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Entering the Paradigm Shift

Atriel shrugs nonchalantly. "We have many customers, and those packs of matches are available right by the front door as well as the bars. If you want an unburned one, I can get you about fifty of them in seconds."

Looking directly at Blaze he adds, "I am sorry about your cousin. But you are looking in the wrong place, my friend. Many people by now probably carry those matchbooks, and while it is quite logical that you would come here seeking answers, I can assure you, that while someone who has been here may hold the answers you seek, the Paradigm Shift itself does not."

Idly flicking a speck of lint from his sleeve cuff, he concludes, "The next time you have reason to come, please take the front door. I assure you, there is nothing here that you want any part of," and his tone quite clearly conveys the double-meaning behind his words. Smiling once again, he finishes, "Now that that's been settled, is there anything else I can do for you? Perhaps get a VIP room for you and your lovely companion here for the evening?"

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

Blaze shifts his attention over to the astral plane, Studying the Elf's aura, trying to see if he's speaking the truth, or lies.

2005 Monday, January 8, 2063 - Land's End Magic Shop

I wonder why I thought of that particular memory just now. I hope Sara is alright.... He thinks to himself.

Andie shakes himself awake, stands up, and stretches his cramped muscles from sitting on that stool for so long in one position. He finds the phone and the number Solomon had given to him and trys it again. Dial...

The liquid within the furnace crucible is percolating nicely. I may have to run a separation process soon on the batch as more material is generated over the next week which is a good sign...

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - A Street outside the Puyallup Street Clinic

Without allowing himself to be riled by Sybersnake, (or was it just his increasing inability to feel?) Dragon calmly stated the obvious. At least, to him. "We don't know if there was a drone in the sky at all. We don't know if we lost it when we stopped at the safehouse and took off. The alley covered us pretty well along with the spirit, and for all they know we're just a decoy. But if you step outside and there is a drone, we've just marked ourselves as a confirmed target."

Angrily, the decker began climbing out of the car, starting to retort, "Oh, you mean we aren't targets already? I almost got killed not a few hours ago, so don't talk to me about..."

Staring down at her, through sheer force of will Dragon stared her back into the car. Of course, it helps when one's eyes are mechanical and don't need to blink. And when one talked about killing an innocent, or at least, relatively innocent child, as one might discuss the weather, or what they would wear the next day, that helps too.

"Sit. Down." Each word carried the force of a sledgehammer, as Dragon made it crystal clear that despite their earlier emotional discussions throughout the day, this was business, and all business. "I received word on the crew that's coming after us. There's still five of them left. We killed their mage back at the restaurant and we almost killed their street samurai too. You think they're happy about that? Hell, they'll have an even more serious mad on for you now, and us, because it's personal now.'

Staring at him fiercely, the Latina refused to back down, despite her obedience to his wishes to stay in the car. "If that's not enough for you, if you're willing to be careless with your life and ours, consider this," he went on in that same dreadful monotone. "These people ambushed us outside a restaurant in broad daylight during lunch hour. They were using elementals and sniper rifles, and if we hadn't taken out their mage when we did, high powered magic as well. Do they strike you as the types to care about human life? You think they'd even give it a second thought before coming in here and burning this place to the ground if that's what it took to find us? Or slaughtering everyone here after we've gone in the name of 'interrogation' just to track us down?"

Sitting back in the car, her silence acknowledged Dragon's words as correct, but the pouting stillness that lingered showed she wasn't happy about it.

Keeping his eyes peeled on the street around them, one hand rested easily on the Spas, which was concealed underneath his coat. Not very subtle, but this was the Barrens. He didn't have to be subtle.

"Planning on shooting anyone with that anytime soon?" Sybersnake couldn't resist lashing out, just a little, to vent her frustration.

Absently, Dragon replied, "Is this about having to go to the bathroom that badly, or is there something else here that you're not saying? You seem to be doing a lot of that today, and honestly, I'm kind of busy trying to keep you alive. So why don't you help me out and fill in the holes for me, cause I don't have time for these games right now, ok chica?"

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - A Street outside the Puyallup Street Clinic

"Give me my deck and I'll fragging well try. Oh, wait, you can't do that now, can you -- because they bloody well shot it! Ah, chingalo!"

But with that last "fuck it" she subsides, and disappears back fully into the car, back, shoulders, entire posture crying out her frustration -- and even Dragon can tell that, this time, it isn't really focused on him. He can hear the sound of her hands and her head striking the headrest in front of her as he turns to contemplate events at the clinic.

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

"In that case I'm sorry, and you have my deapest apologies for taking you away from whatever work you have tonight. How much will the VIP room cost us, and will my compnanion still be able to see the band?"

Blaze's voice has an element of resignation in it. However, as he speaks his one hand is still intertwined with Alleycat's.

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

Rising to his feet, Atriel replies, "Normally 200 nuyen an hour, but for the sake of clearing up this unpleasantness, 150 nuyen an hour. As for the band, have no worries." Reaching into his coat, he pulls out a pair of backstage passes. "Please, take these with my compliments. Enjoy yourselves tonight, and I wish you luck in finding your cousin."

Exiting the room, the two goons fall into step behind him, leaving Blaze sighing over the hit on his credstick tonight.

It is only then he realizes that despite the fact there's only the two of them still in the room, Alleycat is still holding his hand.

1332 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - A Street outside the Puyallup Street Clinic

Dragon turns to walk into the clinic, when it occurs to him that perhaps it is better, maybe even more important, to stay out here with Sybersnake. Not because he needs to, or has to, but maybe...because he actually wants to.

Hesitantly, not wanting to anger Sybersnake anymore, he takes a firm grip on the Spas with his left hand and extends his free hand into the open door of the car.

Holding his hand out for what seems like an eternity without a response, his face burns with embarassment. Angrily, Dragon starts to withdraw his hand and go into the clinic. This is a dumb idea. I can't believe I even bothered to try. I'm wasting my time out here. I may as well go help in the interrogation.

Before he can leave, he feels Sybersnake's hand latch onto his and hold it tightly. Closing his eyes for a second, he allows himself to appreciate, to feel the warmth of her hand against his own. Suddenly his eyes snap open and his body tenses with alertness as he feels a warm, wet liquid begin dripping down onto his hand.

Frantically looking around, he immediately thinks, Drek! Sniper! Where the frag is he hiding! How could I have been so fragging careless???

Then his enhanced hearing picks up a small sniffle, and it hits him what the liquid really is. Like a ton of bricks just fell on his head, Dragon is stunned not only by the raw emotion, but that she's actually letting him see her like this. Silently he squeezes her hand, being careful not to look into the car, preserving Sybersnake, no, Selina's pride and dignity. A gentle, tender squeeze is returned, and in the silence that follows, Dragon stands guard over the car and the woman inside, as her tears fall gently on his hand.

12:32:12 Thursday 03 January 2063 - Seattle, UCAS

Checking his bag from the day before, Tenmou swapped out the SCK for the more compact Ingram Smartgun. He transferred bullets from one clip to the other, ensuring to pack a equal number of regular and gel rounds. He hoped the weapons wouldn't be required on a job that sounded straightforward, but he had been in the shadows long enough to know that nothing was straightforward.

He wanted to head out early to check out the destination before heading to pick up Miss Omura. If he knew exactly where it was, it would help him make a direct line to the building. Plus it might give him some insight as to whether he might expect some resistance from Miss Omura herself.

Tenmou locked up his apartment and walked out to the waiting cab.

"905 West Park Avenue, Tacoma, please."

0342 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

"You know," she says quietly, "I've lost a bit of the mood."

Blaze doesn't nod, but he knows what she means: the one lead they had, completely dissipated.

"Listen," she says then, emphasising it with a slight squeeze of her fingers, "why don't I hit the dance floor for a bit, while you go sit at a table or something and make yourself visible? I've got to wait until they finish their set before I go backstage anyway."

And then it hits Blaze what she's really saying. Bait.

Just maybe ...

1333 Saturday January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

With an almost military efficiency -- Dragon would appreciate this, flashes through the shaman's mind, anything to keep him from thinking too much about what all this really means -- the two of them are stripped bare and shoved -- well, it was probably intended as a slight push, but coming from Galina -- into a small, cold, cubicle just slightly larger than a medium-sized shower. There go the rest of my clothes. "Er -- there's things I need in there!"

The reporter's not really embarrassed, more puzzled and just the barest edge of frightened. "What does she mean, 'another one'?"

"I don't know, Tiffany." Last he'd seen of the girl being wheeled away, she'd started vomiting -- vomiting blood; and blood was pouring from her eyes, ears, mouth.

"This looks like some sort of decontamination chamber," she muses as she studies the tiles and the narrow bench built into one of the walls, a professional examining and explaining her surroundings out loud for her audience. "I suppose that's a good sign."

By the time her examination's reached the intercom, Galina's voice comes out of it: "Sterilise, mojo, drug. Mist safe, breathe in, deep. Got to get it in everywhere."

At her words a soft cloud begins billowing from the ceiling vents.

12:55:12 Thursday 04 January 2063 - Seattle, UCAS

"Right away, mac." The cabbie accelerates away from the curb into the rain. Earlier in the day it hinted at sunshine, but that quickly faded into a misty gray afternoon. The wind is fresh and chill from the Sound, though, cutting through the midday lunch crowds as they bunch and cluster around the street shops and vendors. The trip across town is complicated by the noon traffic snarling the streets, taking at least ten minutes longer than usual. The address turns out to be located in one of the many working class slums of Tacoma, a roadway narrowed by homeless squatters and abandoned cars, littered with trash and refuse. Narrow, hungry faces peer out from shadowed doorways. The building with 905 stenciled on it in white reflective tape is otherwise unlabeled, windows dark and doorway unlit.

0343 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

"Yeah, that sounds good, I think we might as well head down, the room is a little expensive for me, and unless you see a good reason to take it, we might as well pass."

Still holding Alleycat's hand Blaze stands up and the two of them head down to the floor.

A few minutes and a short elevator ride later Blaze and Alleycat step out of the Elevator and onto the dance floor. Scanning the room Blaze looks for an empty table for two.

0345 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

Even at this late hour, the Paradigm Shift is still nearly full, and Alleycat quickly finds herself laying claim to a small square of dance floor as her own. Her moves and sensous with a tinge of the exotic, as she moves her body to the music, it is quite obvious that she is a crowd favorite to watch.

Meanwhile, Blaze finds himself a seat where he can see and be seen, scanning the dance floor for anyone who might be suspicious. Unfortunately for him, pretty much the entire crowd qualifies. Letting his gaze roam, it finally ends up settling for a bit on Alleycat, just in time to catch a glimpse of some interesting events.

Out on the dance floor, Alleycat is losing herself in the music, moving with it, letting it flow in and through her. Despite this, she's keeping a careful watch out for anything interesting, and as such, is neither surprised nor taken unawares when a tall, well-muscled, and even neatly groomed ork comes up to her and begins grinding against her from behind. Whispering into her ear, his voice nonetheless sounds clearly in her ear against the music, "Hey chica...you got some serious move. You here with anyone? Maybe you leave them, get to know me, we have a good time together, you know what I'm saying?"

Blaze can't hear the ork's words, but he thinks he's got an educated guess. A hot flash of jealousy surges through him, and he immediately thinks Who does that guy think he is, getting all up on her like that. I oughta...wait, wait...calm down man, just calm down. Ah crap. Calming...down...not...going...so...well...

The frustration of looking for his cousin, watching this skeeze hit on Alleycat, the emotional surges from their little 'act' upstairs (and was it even an act?), the wrestling with himself over what (if any) feelings he has for her...it all adds up, and pretty soon, sitting in his booth off to the side, Blaze is seeing red. And it isn't from the lights.

0345 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

"Oh, yeah?" says Alianna gently, allowing her gaze to drift downwards in poorly concealed amusement. "Think highly of yourself, do you?"

The ork either ignores the hint, or else it goes right over his head: "Oh yeah, chica. You better believe I got it where it counts."

He's behind her, breathing heavily into her ear. Alianna's already searching out dance floor allies in front of her and she thinks she's found a couple: Get me away from this guy, say her shoulders and arms, he's bothering me. "Now what on earth makes you think that I could possibly find a good time with you?" she asks coolly. This time, her voice carries.

1335 January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

The thin cloud of mist billowing around them carries an pungent yet familiar scent. The aroma of a kitchen that has just been scrubbed down, the aroma of 'clean'. The reality of his nakedness sinking in , Virgil turns away from both Tiffany and the small observation window into the chamber. Chuckling to himself a bit to lighten is own mood . . .I have know this women for less than a day and now we're naked together in a cramped room. And Dragon thinks that I cause odd things to happen.

Raising his arms up over his head Virgil turns his face back towards Tiffany and motions for her to do the same. Breathing in the mist brings on a small fit of coughing, the lungs of a person not wanting to take on any outside fluid.
At least this mist is warm . . it could be worse.

Lowering his eyes to the ground so as not to allow an errant gaze to spend time upon
Tiffany's obviously stunning figure, Virgil attempts to de-mystify the situation for her.

"The girl we brought in is not suffering from a simple drug overdose as we thought, she has contracted some sort of disease which Galina and her co-workers have noticed in at least one other patient. It may or may not be contagious, but the limited resources of this place require that no chances be taken."

Virgil had pegged Tiffany for being quite intelligent soon after meeting her and he was glad to see that her better sense kept her from drifting into anything that could be called a paniced response.

"Just worry about wiping your body down for now. We'll be given plenty of explanation soon enough."

Shooting the shaman an awkard smile, Tiffany proceeds to scrub herself down as thoughly as possible, or whatever can be passed when adults are shoved into a chamber built for one.

0346 Saturday January 6, 2063 - Paradigm Shift

Blaze manages to cool his temper slightly, the red fading slightly, but only slightly from his vision. Alleycat can take care of herself, and unless this ork decides to do something else I should sit back. As he tries to force his instinct to believe this he continues scanning the crowd, but his gaze keeps drifting back to alleycat and the ork.

1340 January 6th, 2063 - Puyallup Street Clinic

Tiffany flashes him a Thank you so much for the explanation look -- "Nice to see you think I'm intelligent for an ... girl" -- then quickly covers the statement with an awkward, if professional, smile. The lighting of the chamber is absolutely pitiless to the fine canvas of lines around her mouth and the corners of her eyes. Unlike Virgil, she seems not really to be aware of her own nakedness at all -- or else she's so far elsewhere focused that it doesn't matter to her. As far as he can tell, she hasn't even checked him out. Figures. Although considering the size of that chip on her shoulder ...

The cycle of mist and rinse ends, and the door sighs open. "Negative pressure," comments the reporter as she quickly pulls on one of the threadbare clinic robes waiting for them. "I'll bet this entire area is sealed off." Her gaze quickly evaluates the place around them, catching briefly on the small monitoring camera and again on each of the bubbled-glass doors entering into this area -- not cybereyes, but just as cool and calculating. When her hand twitches, Virgil can almost see the camera she should have been holding.

They're not left to wonder long before Juliette enters through the door they'd come in, carrying a plastic milk crate filled with various items they'd been carrying ... and once again the rest of the room fades away in the presence of her eyes. It really isn't the same, even with a vidphone. The slight hissing of air pressure equalisation tugs the door closed behind her.

"Just how many cases of Ebola do you have here?" asks the reporter suddenly. She'd retrieved her glasses and the hand cam and was now staring owlishly at Juliette.

"One active," answers Juliette quietly. "We've had four, but three of them are dead. You're welcome to film her, if you'd like."

"Mind if I interview you first?" The camera had already clicked on.

Juliette smiles at the shaman, but her words are addressed to Tiffany: "Galina says I'm to help you any way I can ... but if you want film footage of the girl you brought in, you'd better hurry. I don't think she's long for this world."

The reporter stares at her, then quickly pulls on mask and gloves and leaves through the door Juliette indicates, still wearing only the clinic robe.

"She'll have to go through decon again when she leaves," says Juliette, her gaze on the shaman slightly unfocused, as always, "but we all think it's important that the story gets out. And if you can find out who's doing this ..."

"You said nothing about this three days ago!" finally bursts out the shaman. "And what about yesterday ..."

"This is since yesterday," says Juliette quietly. "First one came in just after you left. We've talked to some of the other shelters and clinics in the area, and warned the ones that didn't know yet. Some of the street kids, they've seen something that could be this around for weeks, but for whatever reason those didn't spread. So far we've been lucky ... maybe it's the weather ... but now it seems to be transmitting through body fluids. Thanks to -- we've got the ventilation and decon equipment here, and Galina's absolutely anal about isolating active cases and decon of everyone who's been exposed. Just the spell itself doesn't always seem to do it. I don't know why. I'm sorry, Virgil, but we had to burn your clothes. They're hunting through the donations for something that might fit you and her."