00:41:30 Saturday January 13, 2063 - The Funhouse, 206 5th Ave N, Seattle, UCAS

Through the windshield, Ludmilla looked at Scratch walking away. She looked at him vanishing in the shadows of the night. The hacker was probably half her age. He was just a kid... and tonight, he had already seen more violence than most people would see in their lifetime.

But that was his choice.
Just like it was hers.

She pushed the idling car back into gear and pulled away from the curb.

It was getting late. Lana was, without a doubt, sound asleep since quite some time.

Sleep.... Now that was a good idea.

01:37:01 Saturday January 13, 2063 - The Soren's Apartment, Renton, Seattle, UCAS

Unlocking the maglock, Ludi slowly pushed the door opened. She took her time, and put all her efforts in making as little noise as possible. It wasn't out of paranoia. It wasn't out of fear of what might be lurking in the darkness of her apartment. It was simply to avoid waking anyone up.

If she woke Zina up, she would be faced with not only a barrage of question, but probably another long and heated argument about the failures of her life. If she woke Lana up... well... she would just feel twice as horrible as she was, and then some.

The ex-soldier slipped out of her combat boots and ballistic jacket in total silence, stashing the Roomsweeper up and high into the closest... well out of reach of Lana's little hands. The shoulder rig and Predator went with it... and a few seconds after, they were met by the lighter Colt. Closing the closest, Ludmilla sighed to herself, in the dark, silent and sleepy 4 room apartment.

One day... we'll all be out of this drek hole.
One day we'll all be comfortable and safe.
One day this will all be over.

Someone had once told her that there was a bullet for everyone out there in the shadows... that the trick to staying alive was to out run that bullet long enough to die of old age.

Old age.
What a luxury.

After a quick shower to scrub out any remaining bits and pieces of the late Ms. Johnson, Ludmilla unfolded the living room's sofa bed, crept under the itchy brown sythwool cover. Her body felt sore all over. Her hands were cramped up. Her skin felt tight. He lips dry. She was tired.

It only took her a few minutes to fall asleep.

The night was filled with bad dreams and spooky monsters creeping out from under the bed.

06:42:29 Saturday January 13, 2063 - The Soren's Apartment, Renton, Seattle, UCAS

The RPG-9 round hit the BTR-80A at a slightly oblique angle above the second set of roadwheels. The standoff probe collapsed harmlessly against the steel armor, not finding any reactive armor to detonate because of budget restrictions and supply problems at the factory in Novgorod. The main warhead went high order, the jet of hot plasma formed by the sublimation of the copper lining the explosives cavity skewering through the thin skin of the Red Army APC with ease. Superheated air pistoned open the crew hatches, smoke pouring out into the chill air of the Kazahk steppe.

Ludmilla's world was a kaleidoscope of pain, her ears ravaged by the explosion and her skin punished by the overpressure that blew her clear of the armored vehicle. Precious seconds ticked past as she labored to breathe against the restriction of her load bearing gear and the acrid smoke pouring from the wreckage of the APC. Red tracer fire snapped overhead, raking the surviving vehicles of the patrol. Return fire sounded close, 30mm A72 cannons from the APCs burping out eight and ten round bursts. Ludi rolled over onto her stomach, low-crawling towards the boulders which marked the edge of the gravel road her patrol had been following prior to the ambush. She found, to her surprise, that her AKS carbine was still slung at her side. Another RPG round detonated somewhere close, heat whipping over Ludi with a physical presence. Putting her back to the largest rock she could find, she slapped her weapon off safe, yanking out the folding stock and locking it in firing position. Three of the patrol's APCs were burning and out of action, now, and she could see the Separtist rebels pushing forward from their ambush positions, spatter camouflage cloaks flapping open in the wind.

Holding her carbine in low ready with her right hand, she keyed the handset on her R392 backpack radio. The bulky nine kilo unit was originally designed for Cold War era paratroopers, but had been pressed into service by the Red Army when supplies of more modern radios ran out. As her platoon's radioman, it was Ludi's burden alone. She?d never been more thankful for its weight.

"Battalion, Patrol Three West One, under heavy attack, request immediate air support!"

Static greeted her shouted request. She repeated the call, eyes scanning the ridgeline and road. A hollow voice broke through the hash on her radio.

"Three West One, Skorpion Six Four, pushing Novoya, forty five seconds your posit, request mark and ordinance."

A bullet whined peevishly off the rock Ludi sheltered behind. She sent six back the way it came while her mind processed the radio call. Novoya was the marshalling point for her Brigade's close air support aircraft. The Skorpions were SU-25KMs, upgraded ground attack aircraft loaded with a mix of smart/dumb weapons.

"Skorpion, Six Four, Three West One, target is northeast of my position, dismounted infantry in the open, expend all ordinance first pass, clear to engage."

That only the platoon commander had the authority to give that order didn't even cross Ludmilla's mind, what remained of his body after the shaped charge charred his hips to carbon was burning in the wreckage of the BTR. Someone had noticed her firing before and now her rock was under a constant pepper of 7.62mm rounds.

"Skorpion Six Four, roger, clear to engage, fifteen seconds."

Ludi dropped the handset of the radio, pulling her carbine in close to her body. She could already hear the scream of the jet?s engines, watching behind closed eyes as the aircraft nosed over into a shallow dive.

Skorpion Six Four released four weapons, a pair of 250 kg unguided bombs and a pair of 100 kg napalm canisters. By chance or skill, the iron bombs bracketed the Separtist forces, while the napalm splashed up the center of their formation. Heat and overpressure washed over Ludmilla, the sickly sweet smell of gasoline from the napalm canisters making her retch. Faintly, through the ringing in her ears, she could make out the snarling full power turn as Skorpion Six Four flashed past, headed back to the marshalling point. In the wake of the aircraft's attack, all gunfire had stopped, and only the crackle of flame filled the night air. Then, as nerves awoke from shock, the screams of the wounded rose, higher and higher until it seemed an impossible sound for a human throat to make. Especially one burned raw from inhaling air the temperature of red hot steel.

Behind her rock, in a corner of the universe still sane and not immersed in the madness of constant war, Ludmilla pressed her hands over her ears and wept, rocking gently back and forth.

"Momma? Momma?"

Something damp pushed against Ludi's face, and she awoke with a start, eyes flashing open and hand groping for her weapon. The sight of her daughter, kneeling next to her on the bed, though, brought her up short.

"Lana? What?" The dream images, still vivid after waking, crowded around the angelic face of her daughter, and she chased them away with a shake of her head. Only then did she realize that her cheeks were damp with tears.

"Momma you were crying in your sleep. What's wrong?"

Ludi smiled, gathering her daughter into her arms.

"Nothing's wrong, baby, momma had a bad dream is all. Everything's going to be all right."

22:25:30 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 - Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Without hesitation Aidan took her hand and led her around the perimeter of the club towards the exit, circling away from O'Halloran. She saw him talking into his cellphone, apparently telling the rest of his crew to meet them outside. Through the distorted still frames created by the strobe lights, Lana saw O'Halloran storm out of the booth towards his crew, moving his hands harshly.

Fortunately, it was difficult for him to see them, since he hadn't even gotten a good look at Lana's face, what with the darkness and strobe lights and all. Once the couple made it outside, the rest of the crew joined them seconds later. Apparently they weren't so engrossed in the dancers that they had forgotten the real reason they had come, and for that Lana was profoundly grateful.

They had only made it about a block from the club when Aidan suddenly yanked her into an alley, with the rest of the crew tailing close behind. "What are you..." was all Lana could get out before one of the others clamped a hand over her mouth as Aidan pulled her deeper into the alley before ducking down behind a dumpster near a doorway, providing some cover from the street.

The other guy slowly pulled his hand off her mouth as Aidan held a finger to her lips. "Shh," he whispered quietly, "we don't know if any of those guys followed us out of the club."

As the rest of the gang watched the entrance of the alley for any signs of pursuit, he turned to Lana and said, "OK, now tell me what happened inside the club. And don't you think we should wait for Kat? If things got that bad, I don't feel good about leaving her to get home alone after her shift ends." He paused, waiting patiently for Lana to gather herself and give him a more accurate assessment of the situation.

22:25:46 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 - Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

She resisted biting down on Dash’s fingers as they went to cover her mouth just long enough for him to pull away and for Aidan to say something to her, to ask her a question. His voice was distorted in her ears as her heart was racing, blood pumping hard and throbbing in her ears like the bass line to one of the dancer’s songs inside the club.

“That sleaze, that… styervo!” She started fuming and her volume was obviously greater than the guys surrounding her would have liked and she quickly quieted down under their glares.

“Sorry. He’s just a creep, da? Tried to tell him to tell me what his interest was in Kat. Asshole seemed to think I was her girlfriend or something and that got him all kinds of excited. Tried to push him a little and he freaked. He wanted to “play rough” and as much as I care about Kat and her safety, I’m not about to give him a Happy Ending just to get an answer. He tried to grab me, so I kicked him. Now we’re out here.”

With her brief explanation complete and before Aidan could chastise her about what happened, she had to see for herself that the alley was still clear. She leaned forward slightly from behind the dumpster and peered down the concrete half expecting to see O’Halloran’s face along with his goons stomping down the way.

22:28:33 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 - Back Alley near the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Much to Lana's relief, her paranoia was unfounded. The only people on the street in front of the alley were those walking to their dens of debauchery, relaxation, and pleasure of choice. O'Halloran and his goons were nowhere to be seen.

Rubbing his eyes, Aidan said, "OK babe, I sure as frag don't blame you for not giving the guy a Happy Ending just to get what he wants. But were you able to learn anything at all about why he wants Kat so bad other than just to bang her brains out? I mean, yeah, Kat's a serious looker, don't get me wrong..."

Catching the deadly glare in Lana's eyes he quickly backpedals to the snickers of his friends, "Not that I would look or anything," he 'clarifies' before continuing, "but seriously, all this trouble for her? There's got to be plenty of tall, blonde babes with killer bodies who would happily get it on with this O'Halloran fragger. So why Kat?"

22:28:51 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Back Alley near the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

All Lana could do was shrug in response to Aidan’s question.

“Not sure, Kat wasn’t exactly forthcoming with information about this guy, he’s got her seriously spooked that much is certain. The creep wasn’t any better more concerned with getting his rocks off in a violent manner than being a chatterbox about his obsession.”

She quietly wondered just who this asshole actually was and other than making Kat’s life a living hell by breathing in the same vicinity as her, just what more he could possibly do.

“The guy doesn’t look familiar to any of you right? Like none of you know what his deal is outside of his unhealthy obsession with Kat? Earlier over coffee she mentioned something about a Bunraku parlor and him being a nobody who was “connected” or something.”

Oh jesus fragging Christ, please please please just let that little bit about him being connected be some big talk, a rumor because if I just pissed off a made man… oh shit oh shitohshit.

Lana took a few quick breaths and looked across the expressions on the guy’s faces that stood around her.

01:00:03 Wednesday, 10 January, 2063 – A Warehouse in the Barrens

Scrapheap's boots had barely touched the catwalk when he wrenched his body around violently and launched himself towards his niece. He knew that he'd pay for all this activity in the morning; he wasn't young anymore. At this point though, he just hoped there was a morning.

The lopsided grin he had allowed himself at the astonished expression on Nora's face faded in confusion as she suddenly began to rise into thin air as if held by a gigantic, invisible hand. He ran towards her, intending to try and pull her to safety when a thought struck him. Glancing over the railing he saw the Professor standing near the swaying shelves, determination written across his pale face. His eyes were locked on Nora.

He allowed himself another grin. Reaching beneath his armored jacket, Scrapheap drew his twin Manhunter's from his concealed rig. As he began to scan the area for potential threats he spoke to Lady Dove. "When she lands, cover her and follow me. We're gettin' tha frag outta here."

06:42:29 Saturday January 13, 2063 – The Soren’s Apartment, Renton, Seattle, UCAS

Still half wrapped in her covers, Ludmilla held her daughter with all her strength. She held her like she never planned on letting go. Last night had been another one of those close calls, and the reality of hit hadn't quite hit home until right now. Her greed had taken the best of her and, against all her instincts and training, she had walked straight into a fragged up job. Sure, she had made enough cred in a single night's work to pay for the whole month's rent. If she ducked enough lead, maybe they'd be able to move into an actual house by the end of the month.

Lana could probably feel something was wrong with her mother, but she didn't bother asking. She was just glad to see her. It wasn't that often that Ludi was home in the morning, or at night for that matter. Her lifestyle didn't usually allow for a healthy family life. But Lana didn't know anything else. It was normal, at least in her frame of mind, to have a mommy that comes and goes in the middle of the night.

Letting go of Lana, Ludmilla watched her jump off the sofa bed with a warm smile on her lips. The short night she had gotten had left her even more tired than before. The meet, the nightmare, the early hour of morning... everything was against her. She felt sore and beaten. She felt like crap.

Rubbing her tired cybereyes, Ludi's hands ran through her hair back and forth, trying in vain to shake away her grogginess. From the kitchen, she could hear Lana hum some song to herself. With a heavy sigh, the Russian woman simply dropped back flat onto the bed. She had barely 5 hours of sleep, and a drek day ahead of her. Sascha was expecting her at 8:00. On any other occasion, she would have simply told him to go frag himself, and showed up when it was convenient for her. Sunday morning, she always went to mass. Zina made it a required activity... not that Ludi minded very much. Lana hated it, like every kid of her age should, but both her aunt and mother always insisted on going. Every time she set foot in a church, Ludmilla felt both terribly relieved and guilty. Relieved because she could let go of all her anger and sin. Guilty because she knew that people like her would never be truly forgiven by God. She could never atone for her sins. She could never wash off all the blood she had on her hands.

Pulling the covers up to her shoulders, she turned on the side and curled up on herself closing her eyes. She wanted so bad to tell Sascha to go frag himself. She wanted so bad to spend the day with her daughter. She wanted so bad to just live and enjoy the moment.

“You either do as I say, when I say, all the while keeping your nose down and your mouth shut, or I turn Yuri over to our superiors and send an anonymous tip into Lone Star...”

Ludmilla opened her eyes back up. There was just no way around it. Mass would have to wait. If there was a way out of the drekhole she was now in, she'd find it. She had to. Being Sascha's lapdog the rest of her life wasn't part of her plans. She could tell Miki of the op Sascha had her on... on how he was going behind his back. She could track down Yuri and make sure he never talked. Or she could go straight to the source of the problem and take out Sascha.

Telling Mikhail would be simple, yet terribly difficult. And it could backfire. It would give the chance for Sascha to take her out.
Tracking Yuri down was doable, but difficult. It would require resources Ludi didn't have at her disposal...
Taking Sascha out wouldn't be all that difficult. It would be getting away with it.
There had to be a way out. There always was one.
Well... almost.

Getting up, Ludmilla pushed the image of a dead Sascha in a garbage bag into the back of her mind. She now had to face Zina.
No going to church with them was going to spark one hell of an argument.

08:11:17 Sunday 14, January 2063 – Outside “The Bakery”, Renton

For the last 20 minutes, Ludmilla had simply been sitting in her car, smoking cigarette after cigarette. Her conversation with Zina had finished with her simply slamming the door behind her hard enough to break it off its hinges. Bringing the smoke back to her mouth, she pinched it tightly between her lips. Her hand, now free, went under her jacket from where she took the Predator out. Last meeting with Sascha, she had felt under armed. Now, she was packing something a little heavier. Even though her smartlink informed her the weapon was fully loaded, she popped the magazine out to verify herself.
If Sascha started any drek, she would be sure to end it.

She holstered her weapon back.

19:34:01 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Pasha’s, 3900 Bryn Mawr Road, S Downtown Seattle, UCAS

Good. There’s a diner on 58th called the Sundowner. Meet me there in about an hour; gives me time to make sure you’re who you say you are; if this is just a big joke, I’ll let you know I know people. People that can make your life miserable if you're fraggin' with me. he said, trying to make his voice lower and more ominous. Leo didn’t think he pulled it off as well as Roderick thought he did.

Roderick cut the connection on the line.

19:02:21 Thursday, 11 January 2063 – McHugh’s #1739, 19 West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS

Freya waved her head back and forth while chewing her food. “You know how it is. The money, the life,” she said after swallowing, more maturity coming into her face than Leon remembered her having. Have to grow up quick out here he though, but his heart still panged to see his little sister with that kind of look on her face.

“They’re talking about sending me down to Portland in a few weeks or so. Good training, they say, good contacts to make. I just don’t know if it’s what I want to do,” she finished, popping a fry into her mouth.

“Enough about me. What’s this place we’re going to par-tay at tonight?” Freya said, tucking her multicolored hair back behind her ears and leaning forward, smile on her face.

19:04:24 Thursday, 11 January 2063 – McHugh’s #1739, 19 West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS
Leon Mordred

Leon heard what his not so little sister had said, but it didn’t quite register right then. Her first nine words had thrown him completely off guard for the nonchalant way she gave him the big news. It wasn’t until Freya had finished and sat there looking at him expectantly with a smile on her face before the gears in the changeling’s brain kicked into place.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!”, he exclaimed excitedly, waving his hand as to break up a cloud hanging between the two siblings. “Did I just hear you right? Portland? As in the Tir?”, Leon continued as his feline ears perked completely alert.
For a second, the mage just looked back at him with a confused look on her own face, similarly matching her brother’s. She replied to her brother’s question with a frown, “Um… yeah? Is there any other Portland out there? Well, worth anything I mean.” Letting out a sigh, the elf continued, “Like I said before, I’m not sure if it’s something I want to do…” Freya took that time to create a pause in the conversation by popping in another fry. “Aaaanyways…”, she stressed out to force a subject change, “Where are we headed tonight? Is it someplace good?”

Leon took that as a perfect opportunity to take a few draws from the straw of his drink, if only to let him quickly sort the news out and compose himself. After a few seconds, the elder of the two siblings set down the soda and let out a contented sigh before continuing. “The ‘Tooth and Nail’.”, he let out, flashing a mischievous grin and a suspenseful pause. Without waiting too long, he continued with the smile showing in his voice, “Is it good? Hell yeah! There’s a bunch of huge dance floors with kickin’ beats on each one. The place also has some damn good bartenders. Since I know ‘em, I can get you hooked up tonight.”
Leaning forward a bit, Leon lowered his voice some as he indicated the area around him with his offhand, “Best of all, I don’t have to deal with this shit.” Looking around, Freya notice the people around them taking glances at them while trying not to be obvious, but there were still kids and people who didn’t care to be discrete that were staring blatantly at the pair. “It’s a place where people like me can go to hang out and relax.” Even though he still kept smiling, Freya noticed a slight droop in it as well as his voice.

01:00:03 Wednesday, 10 January, 2063 – A Warehouse in the Barrens

Straining under the pressure of the levitation spell, Max fought to hold his concentration and continue lifting Nora as bullets whizzed all around him. He felt a conjuring taking place, summoning a spirit of vast power into the fight, and he prayed to Gargoyle that it was on their side.

Meanwhile, Blaze was moving faster, smoother, maneuvering himself towards the northeast corner of the warehouse and the stairs to Lady Dove even as he hurled magical death at the attackers. His bodyguard was living up to his job, unleashing a fully automatic hail of death at the attackers and providing a wall of cover fire for those fleeing towards his position.

Leaving a bloody trail in his wake, Cao Jaan alternately crawled and staggered towards safety even as Knight finished summoning up his earth elemental and gave it orders to attack the intruders, hoping to provide cover for his employer.

Scanning the battlefield from the catwalk, Scrapheap didn't like what he saw. Although several of the attackers went down under the furious assault led by Blaze, ETG, and the earth elemental, he was unable to tell if they were permanently out of the fight or just injured.

And the invaders weren't idle either. Several of the 'allies', as he had subconsciously pegged them, were hit as the attackers pressed forward, not stinting on the full auto as they methodically closed in the northeast corner. Cao Jaan was obviously wounded badly, and he thought he'd seen Knight and Blaze take minor injuries as well. Unsurprisingly, only ETG seemed unfazed by the return fire.

Luckily, John hadn't made much of a target out of himself when he'd quickly ascended to the catwalk, staying low to avoid attracting attention, and Max...well, at least he'd shaken himself out of his earlier (and entirely forgiveable, John had to remind himself) funk to manage to do something. At least the upside of that earlier combat paralysis was so far no one appeared to be putting the professor as a high priority on their 'People to Kill' list.

Still, their situation wasn't all peaches and cream. A team of the assailants was moving up the southwest staircase towards higher ground, moving quickly towards him, Nora, and Lady Dove. Although their submachine guns weren't quite within effective combat range just yet, the bullets they fired at him were getting closer and showing that the goons were starting to get the range down. In a few seconds, they'd be in position to riddle his exposed form with a barrage of SMG fire.

On the oh-so-close to positive side of things, Lady Dove had just finished nodding at Scrapheap's instructions and was preparing to help Nora over the edge when the glass skylight exploded into thousands of tiny shards of glass, scattering throughout the warehouse and raining down on the inhabitants inside.

At the exact same instant, someone blew what was left of the already poor lights in the warehouse as the rain from the storm outside came whipping in through the open skylight. Between the now non-existent lighting, falling glass sprinkling through the warehouse, and sudden deluge of rain that poured into the exposed area under the former skylight, Scrapheap couldn't look up to scan the situation very well as he covered his face to protect himself from falling glass.

Slowly, he heard a sound that made him grow cold inside, a chill that had nothing to do with the rain that had suddenly drenched him. The low, whirring sound of a helicopter hovering gradually made itself known to his enhanced hearing over the roar of the storm above and the bloody gunfight below.

As the glass dispersed and his eyes adjusted to the light, he was gradually able to look up and see a helicopter of a model he couldn't quite make out. What he could quite clearly make out, however, was the muzzle flashes of the new attackers entering the fray, rapidly descending from the chopper via rappelling lines.

His heart sank as he realized that despite the fact he had just told Lady Dove they were 'gettin' tha frag outta here', as far as probable future events were concerned, that statement had now fallen squarely into the 'things that were beginning to look extremely unlikely' category.

Gripping his Manhunters tighter, he cursed furiously under his breath as he tried to figure out how he, Max, and Nora were going to make it out of here alive.

22:29:14 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Back Alley near the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

As soon as the words 'Bunraku Parlor' and 'Connected' left her mouth, Lana wondered if she'd made a serious mistake mentioning it. The guys turned pale and one of them even started sweating a little as they looked nervously at one another.

"Uh, baby," Aidan nervously ventured, "what's this about being connected and bunraku parlors? That's some heavy fragging drek and if this guy's made..."

He didn't finish his thought. He didn't have to. Angrily, Dash yelled, "What the frag is this about connected guys Aidan? You never said drek about that!"

The source of their nervousness was clear. Although they talked tough and postured like lots of gangs their age, Aidan and his crew were strictly small time, maybe not even that, and they all knew it. If the Mob wanted them dead, it wasn't a question of if, only when and how much it would hurt before they'd beg for it to end.

"Shut up Dash!" Aidan snapped at his friend. Turning back to her, he said, "Maybe you better tell us everything you know about this fragged up situation babe. Before this situation gets uglier than it already looks."

08:29:43 Sunday 14, January 2063 – Outside “The Bakery”, Renton, Seattle, UCAS

The temperature inside her car was approaching ambient by the time Ludi recognized the black Mercury Comet that belonged to Sascha turn down the alleyway that ran along the back of the bakery. Running her hands through her short black hair, she checked up and down the street one last time. All she needed now was for a Lone Star cruiser to happen by at an inopportune moment, or even just a random drive-by of a go-gang. Although at this early hour either scenario seemed unlikely.

The street shivered beneath the chill January wind, devoid of pedestrian traffic and nearly empty of cars. The wind snatched away even the normal sounds of the city, leaving an empty, eerie hollow in her senses. As she stepped out of her car, the wind caught the hem of her long coat, whipping it out behind her. Her eyes travelled the sidewalks one more time before heading across the street to the Bakery. Ludi took one last drag from her cigarette, the exhaled smoke streaming from her mouth, before she flicked the butt into the sewer.

The bells hung from the inside of the door rang with tinny cries as Ludi entered. She moved to the side of the door immediately, a reflexive action to clear the fatal funnel and allow the rest of her stack to enter the room. For a moment she longed to have the comforting weight of five other soldiers at her back. But that would mean that she was back in the bad old days, the days of bivouacking on the open steppe, of clearing houses by flamethrower and grenade, of ambushes and bitter, sudden hand to hand combat.

For a moment not even the heady scent of fresh bread and pastry, of flour and dough, of sugar and dark coffee can overwhelm the remembered smell of blood and cordite, unwashed bodies and raw animal fear. Ludi shivered, cold to the bone despite the heat of the tiny restaurant. The moon faced girl behind the counter, the same blonde from two days prior, stared at her in confusion. The only other individual present was an older gentleman, engrossed in a hard copy news flimsy printed in Cyrillic. His eyes, when the swept past her, were a pale watery blue. Straightening, Ludi ignored both of them, striding across the narrow room and through the swinging door leading to the kitchens.

The warmth from the ovens finally banished the icy grip of winter from the knuckles of her hands and her cheeks, but a cold nervous serpent still coiled at the base of her spine. This business with Sascha still rubbed all of her senses the wrong way. The sooner it was done, the better.

Unlike two days ago, Lev was waiting for her at the head of the narrow hallway leading back towards the meeting rooms. Petr still manned his post at the surveillance monitors, but made no motion of recognition. The hair at the back of Ludi's neck prickled, especially when she noticed the barrel of the shortened AKM submachinegun poking out from beneath Lev's armored jacket. Apparently she wasn't the only one who'd felt underarmed at the last meeting.

"Let me guess: the big room?" Ludi did her best not to sneer, not really in the mood to fight this early. Lev nodded wordlessly, motioning her past. With a sigh, Ludi hunched her shoulders and slipped by the heavy Vory bouncer, pressing herself against the plascrete wall to avoid brushing against him. She paused outside the door to the big room long enough to light up another cigarette, exhaling towards the ceiling before opening the door.

Sascha didn't look up as she entered, busy as he was with squeezing some kind of moisturizing liquid into his eyes. He shook his head, growling low in his throat and wiping away the excess which tracked down his cheek. His eyes still looked bloodshot when he finally fixed her with his gaze. Ludi blew a stream of smoke at him.

"Rough night?" she asked, her tone arch and uncaring.

"That's what she said when I left this morning." Sascha grinned, flipping the small plastic vial back into his desk drawer and pulling out one of the thin black cigarettes he favored. The two thugs in the corner snickered loudly at their bosses joke.

"Your taste is improving then, finally picking ones who can at least talk." Ludi dropped into the chair across the desk from him, propping her boots up on the corner. Her left hand flicked ash from her cigarette while her right dangled carelessly from the arm of the chair, a location which put it dangerously close to her Predator should the need arise. A dark shadow flickered across Sascha's face at her barb, gone as soon as it appeared, though. Say what she might about the Vory lieutenant, he was slick and smart. You didn't get to a position like his without being able to control your emotions. He was suddenly all business, though.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?"

22:29:32 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Back Alley near the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Lana spun her just-over one and a half meter frame around and her green eyes burned into Dash’s face.

“zasun’ sebe v zhopu!”

The more unglued Lana got, the more she relied on Russian to get her point across and right now with the whole situation starting to unravel in front of her she took out her frustration on Aidan’s best friend and silently cursed herself for thinking she could “protect” Kat in any way. When Aidan placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a slight squeeze to calm her down a bit she just continued to glare but the insults ceased.

“Told you everything I know. Showed up for class this morning and Kat’s outside looking like drek warmed over and edgy. Looking around I could see the jackass from the club watching her from a distance. She gets spooked, tries to get me to go to class, which should tell you something right there, we go for coffee.”

The tempo to her speech is increasing as she tries to recall all the details as few as she had from the morning.

“She says she doesn’t want to get me involved but you could tell she was in trouble, she needed to tell someone about what was going on and what was I going to do, say frag off? So she spills the story about this creep, how he’s been stalking her at the club and obviously he’s started following her around on campus. Apparently he thinks she’d be perfect for some scheme he’s cooking up and that’s when she mentioned bunraku.”

She shrugged.

“That’s about it, I mean other than what just happened inside…” Her nose wrinkled in distaste as she thought about it.

“All I was trying to do is make sure she was safe. She was the one that suggested you guys come down here, I was just the messenger. Seems like the jerk spends enough cred at the club that the owners and the bouncers aren’t about to really do anything to help Kat out that could alienate such a good customer. I just thought maybe we could scare a little sense into him, y’know show him that Kat had some “friends” who were looking out for her.”

She ran her hands through her dark hair and sighed heavily feeling like it was her fault that everyone was wrapped up in this even though Kat was the one responsible for putting the ball into motion.

“I was just trying to help her out of a jam.”

22:32:14 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Back Alley near the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Trying to calm her down, Aidan gently rubbed his hand in small circles along her back, talking in a soothing tone, "Hey it's ok babe, no one's blaming you. We're all just a little spooked right now. I mean, dealing with connected guys and bunraku parlors is a little over our head, you know?"

Without backing down from her glare in the slightest, Dash snapped, "Damn right it's over our head Aidan. So what the frag are we gonna do now?"

Taking a deep breath, Aidan takes his hand off Lana's back and turns to Dash. "What we're gonna do is go back there, meet Kat after her shift, and make sure she gets home safely. After that, we'll put our ears to the ground, try to see if this O'Halloran guy is actually connected or if it's just so much talk. Once we know the truth of that score, we can figure out where to go from there."

He glances around to see if anyone will disagree with him. It seems the rest of the group is willing to go along with it, but after a few moments another of the gang steps forward. Lana cringes inwardly when she sees who it is.

Razor is one of the most respected guys in Aidan's crew, and although no one's ever actually talked about it, the general consensus is that if anyone in the gang is going to move on to bigger and better things one day, it's him. Truth be told, she's not even sure why he hangs around with the group. With his talents, he could easily have jumped to a serious third-tier, maybe even a second tier gang. Why he stuck around was a mystery to her, and mysterious guys like him made her jumpy.

Easily one of the best fighters in the group, what made him scary wasn't the knives he preferred to fight with but his mind. Quick thinking, level headed, and always calculating, unlike most small timers he had the brains to go with his fighting abilities, and that was always a dangerous combination. He didn't speak very often, preferring to sit back and go with the flow, but when he talked, people tended to listen.

"I agree with with the first part of the plan. We said we'd come down here and keep an eye on things in exchange for a free show. We got the show, so we have to deliver on our end and make sure Katherine is safe. Fair is fair."

Looking over at Lana, he says, "No offense to you or Kat, but if this guy is connected, even us asking around could lead to big trouble. Odds are good they'll hear about it, and they'll come looking for us to find out why."

Turning back to Aidan, he continues calmly, "No offense to you either Aidan, we're chums and all, and if we get in a fight you know I've got your back to the end. But I don't want to get killed over your squeeze, and I sure as hell don't want to end up on the wrong side of a Mafia interrogation over her friend. I mean, is Kat worth that much to you?"

19:37:55 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Pasha’s, 3900 Bryn Mawr Road, S Downtown Seattle, UCAS

"You shouldn't find any problems, I will be waiting there," Leo said, then logged off the dataterm. The trip wasn't far to 58th, but best to make sure he got there on time. Grabbing up his things, Leo made his way out the cafe and into the cold outside. The traffic in the streets wasn't too bad as he walked, rush hour having come and almost gone during his visit to Pasha's, and he made his destination with time to spare. Once again it was time to play the waiting game and meet the trouble he had gotten himself into.

22:33:15 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Back Alley near the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

When Dash piped in again she shot him another icy stare from over Aidan’s shoulder.

“Be a man Dash, grow some balls.”

She piped down after a stern look from Aidan that had “Shut Up!” written all over it. She complied but she damn well didn’t look too happy about it. When Razor stepped up however she knew any argument was over. At least the guys would get Kat and now even her home safely, tonight. After that, all bets were off and she didn’t exactly see Kat walking away from this job because of the cash she raked in.

She sighed heavily and relented trying to figure out what else she could do to help Kat with the creep since the guys didn’t want to touch this with a ten meter pole, and she couldn’t really blame them if the guy really was connected. How she’d go about finding out anything was going to be a challenge, it wasn’t like she could stroll to the dataterms at the Uni and look up info on the Mafia and expect to find out where this asshole ranked in the food chain.

19:08:53 Thursday, 11 January 2063 – McHugh’s #1739, 19 West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS
Leon Mordred

The conversation stalled a bit on that last note, but it gave them a chance to finish off more of the cooling food on their trays. The relative silence was broken not long after though as the multicolor haired elf spoke up. “So… Do they play that new band there? You know, ‘Ethereal Heartbeat’”, Freya asked while easily saying the band’s Sperethiel name.
After a slight pause to swallow and look a his sister for a second, Leon replied with a slight groan in his voice. “Unfortunately, yes. There’s a floor that plays their stuff and I usually avoid that one if I can”, he said with a dismissing wave of his hand. “Hey, what’s wrong with their music?”, she shot back at the feline male. “Come on! Being a guy and listening to a boy band just don’t mix!”, he retorted with, with the conversation quickly degrading into something that wouldn’t be out of place between a brother and sister.


19:21:34 Thursday, 11 January 2063 –West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS

After finishing their meal and conversation, the pair had left the crowded fast food joint to brave the chilled night. As Leon zipped up his jacket and put his goggles over his eyes, he looked at his sister and noticed her just watching him. He didn’t think much of it until they walked outside and received looks as they made their way towards the club.
At first, he thought they were looking at him, but it was happening more than usual. Wondering what was up, he watched the eyes of people as they passed the pair and saw most of them weren’t lingering on him long at all but focusing to his left. This drew his gaze over to see his little sister and her more bared skin than covered state. It didn’t take him long to put two and two together and let out a sigh, which billowed up over the tall collar of his jacket to blow back behind him.
“Aren’t you a little cold there?”, he asked sarcastically to the young woman beside him. To which she replied with a smile, “Nope. I’m quite warm, how about you?” Leon couldn’t help himself but shake his head and let out another sigh. ‘Yeah, you’re able to use magic and all that… but would it kill you to act a little less obvious?’, he thought, but wisely didn’t say out loud, knowing it would just start something up between the two.

“So… About this thing they want done. Do you know anything about it?”, he asked Freya as they moved into a less densely populated part of the sidewalk. 'Best that I know everything I can before the meet to really discuss this thing.', he thought to himself.

22:33:41 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Back Alley near the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Aidan avoided Lana's eyes, and waited a few moments before answering, "Let's just get the girls home safely tonight. We'll worry about tomorrow when it comes."

Everyone knew he ducked the question, but then who could blame him? Even Lana couldn't get upset that Aidan wasn't quick to put himself in the path of a potential Mafia bullet for Kat. Still, that didn't solve her problem with O'Halloran, and then there was still that problem with the ThinMan from earlier today.

God, and the day wasn't even over yet. What was she going to do about all this? Stuff like this only happened on the trid, not in real life, and certainly not to her! Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing, and when she picked up, she saw it was Kat.

"Hey Lana, it's me, I'm done. I don't see O'Halloran or his guys anywhere in the club, but would you mind swinging by to pick me up? I want to hear what happened, and I could use a ride home too if you don't mind."

"Sure girl, we'll be right there. Look for us out front. See you soon."

Hanging up, she turned to the guys and relayed the conversation. Still speaking for the group, Razor said, "OK, Aidan, Lana, and I will pick up Kat in Aidan's car. The rest of you follow behind us as we drop them off, just in case. Keep an eye out for anyone who looks like they might be following us, ok?"

The guys nodded, and moved quickly to the cars. A few minutes later, they swung by and picked Kat up as planned. Climbing into the car in the back next to Lana, she smiled at everyone before greeting Lana with a hug. "Thanks so much girl, I felt so much safer tonight." Leaning back she smiled excitedly and asked, "So, tell me, how'd it go?"

22:34:21 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

When Lana untangled herself from Kat’s hug, she tried to have the most optimistic look on her face, but considering all that had happened in such a short time and everything that now weighed on her shoulders she wasn’t sure she was all that convincing. She hesitated to say anything at first, glancing up towards the front of the car where she could see Razor turned slightly in his seat to face back towards Kat and still keep a good look on things happening around them and in the mirror she could see Aidan’s eyes on the pair as well.

“I’m not gonna lie girl, not well… not well at all. I think you owe these guys any and all info you have on O’Halloran before we get you home.”

She sighed heavily. Undoubtedly O’Halloran already knew where Kat lived, but she wasn’t relishing the possibility that if he was really connected, he very well might know where she lived soon enough as well. She didn’t want to go home tonight, but the whole issue of talking to Niki was still looming over her head.

06:21:07 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

The eastern sky was still dark at this hour, only the very earliest traces of gray appearing over the ridge of the Sierras that fenced the greater Los Angeles basin. Cosmo wondered idly when the next opportunity for sleep would present itself. As welcome as her bed looked, every time she crawled between the sheets, her skin shivered in rememberance of the vicious awakening just over a week ago.

Two years.

The incessant ringing of her trid pulled her thoughts from that particular downward spiral. HardBitten's icon appeared in the upper left corner of the screen, while an overhead satellite surveillance shot filled the remainder.

"Not quite sure what you're cooking, lady, but that address probably isn't where you want to have a picnic. The coordinates read out as the western entrance to Death Valley Maximum Security Penitentiary. It was, until a couple of years ago, the only Super Max prison in Cal Free State. It also operated in something of a unique fashion as the CFS Prison System allowed other countries to incarcerate prisoners at Death Valley for a hefty fee. As you can see, almost ninety percent of the prison is underground, but a few above ground structures remain."

22:34:58 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Kat's face turns pale, and her eyes widen. "I swear Lana, I already told you everything I know. He's been stalking me at the club for the last several weeks, and when I told the boss about it and asked him to do something, he only told me he couldn't do anything about it cause O'Halloran 'knew some people'. A little while ago he asked me if I was interested in something he was setting up, something about a bunraku parlor. I told him to frag off, but he started following me even when I wasn't at work, like waiting for me when I got off work and even showing up at school this morning. That's all I know, chip truth. Hell, you think I wanted to know more about this guy? I just wanted him the frag out of my life. What happened tonight? What's going on?"

06:24:19 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo's eyes narrowed as she focused on the surveillance still of the Super Maximum Security Penitentiary. It was true that there were few buildings visible but she still shuddered, imagining what life would be like in the bowels of Death Valley Pen, all traces of Megan Trainor and the runner known as Cosmo wiped from existence and only the word of one deluded prisoner to prove that she'd lived at all.

The expletive that spat from that finely shaped mouth was vile and heartfelt as she turned round and stalked from one end of her little safehouse to the other and then back to face the trid screen, eyes more than a bit wild. Who the frag do they think they are?!

"Lovely."

Just bloody lovely.

"How difficult would it be to forge the necessary documents to bury someone in a Super Max pen, HB?" Cosmo forced herself to exhale.

06:24:39 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

"Significant, in this case. Death Valley Super Max was closed two and a half years ago after a deadly riot inside killed one hundred and sixty eight of the almost five hundred inmates incarcerated there. The buildings were condemned based on the structural damage incurred during the riot and the subsequent police action to retake the prison. It's been abandoned ever since."

22:35:09 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

“You have to admit Kat, you can’t casually toss around things like bunraku and imply the guy’s connected without bristling some hairs. Even these guys don’t need or want that kind of hassle or the kind of trouble it could bring. And of course none of us want you to have the hassle either.”

She looked up towards the front seats for some verbal backup here, but the guys were keeping rather tight-lipped.

“Look Kat, I basically tried to talk to the guy and find out what his deal was. It didn’t go well and I got a good look at just how much of a sleazy creep this guy really is. Add to that he’s got a violent streak and he might be connected? It just goes from bad to worse. There’s got to be a way to get him to lay off, but I don’t think it’s gonna come from someone like me.”

22:40:09 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Kat doesn't say anything for several long minutes after Lana speaks, instead just looking down silently into her lap. When she finally starts talking, her voice is quiet and subdued. "I know Lana. I know. You tried your best. I just...where am I going to get anyone else to help me? It's like you said this afternoon. I can't pay someone to help me with this guy. I don't have anyone I can call to deal with this, no fragging knight in shining armor to save my hoop."

Practically spitting out the last few words, she turns and stares out the window. "Thanks again for trying everyone, I'll...do what I have to do I guess. Why don't you just take me home now, or," her voice turns slightly bitter, "is there anything else you need to know from me first?"

08:33:44 Sunday 14, January 2063 – Outside “The Bakery”, Renton, Seattle, UCAS

Whipping her head around to look over her shoulder, Ludmilla gave Lev a good long look. The thug hovered not too far away from her, clearly prepared for any more outburst from her part. The speed he had displayed last time had indeed pushed the ante a little higher.

She smirked at him, her cigarette dangling from the corner of her mouth. The day was still early, and the woman already had a lot of aggression to vent out... or maybe it was just Sascha's presence that made her feel twitchy. If she could get someone to make the first move, it would give her plenty of an excuse.

“Hey cookie, why don't you go fetch me some tea?” she said to him, turning her head back to face Sascha.

Even with her back turned to the goon, all her senses were aimed at him.

“What I want to talk about, Sascha, is money. I need 5 grand to get the gear for your little side job. I need it before Monday morning.”

She took a long pull on her cigarette, making the tip glow in a fiery red.

08:34:05 Sunday 14, January 2063 – Outside “The Bakery”, Renton, Seattle, UCAS

Lev didn't move from his position by the door, grunting something disrespectful under his breath in Russian. Sascha leaned back in his chair, taking a long drag from his cigarette before exhaling the stream of smoke towards the ceiling.

"Five thousand nuyen, you say? I was hoping to keep the overhead down by utilizing in-house talent, but I see that your services do not come cheaply. Very well. If it is one thing that the rotten capitalists taught us is that you have to spend money to make money."

The slim Russian mobster withdraws a credstick from his jacket pocket, checking the balance on his commlink, before flipping it across the desk to Ludi. He takes one final drag from his cigarette before crushing it out in the ashtray next to the lamp. His cold, flat gaze stares at Ludmilla.

"Don't make me regret making this investment. You, of all people, should know the numerous and painful ways we have of recouping our losses."

19:24:01 Thursday, 11 January 2063 –West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS

“Jacob didn’t say anything about it to me.” Freya said, continuing to walk down the street, gathering looks while Leon blew on his hands to restore circulation.

“Nothing?” Leon said, ignoring the obvious looks for a moment.

“Nothing.” Freya said, “but I did find out a few things. You know how drek gets ‘round. I think that they’re wanting you to find out some stuff, follow someone, something like that. Something that they don’t want to do.”

“Jacob’s keeping it close to him, and I don’t think many people know about this thing. You sure you don’t want me to help you out? That coat doesn’t look like its doing much good. Wind’s pretty stiff out here,” she said, smiling an infuriating smile, or so it seemed to Leon.

19:37:55 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Pasha’s, 3900 Bryn Mawr Road, S Downtown Seattle, UCAS

The bus was late, but Leo planned for it. The semi-packed metahumanity in the drone driven conveyance bounced along, leaning along with the stops and goes of the MidSouth line. A few patches of skiddy ice didn’t help, and Leo idly wondered, while looking out at the skyline on the 5, as to some of the tactics used by the UCAS as the Arcology loomed over the horizon. The hoi polloi on the bus rode the waves of the bus as it made its stops, being passed by about every car in the 5.

20:18:55 Wednesday, 10 January 2063- The Sundowner Tavern, 14640 58th Ave S. Seattle, UCAS

Leo walked into the Sundowner, radiating cold off in almost visual waves in the well-heated diner. Early in the evening, none of the late night after party crowd had made it in the place yet.

“What’ll have, hon?” a slim ork waitress with a nametag that said Cortney asked as he settled into a small open stool at the end of the counter, not having seen anyone that came close the to what he imagined Roderick would look like in the sparse patronage.

10:32:01 Sunday 14 January 2063 - outside The Green Papaya, 600 East Pine St, Seattle, UCAS

Ya, and I'm in here tryin' da order something for breafast. Jou wanna give ma a hand here with dis menu? Got somedin may interest you, methinks. Roscoe said.

10:32:21 Sunday 14 January 2063 - The Green Papaya, 600 East Pine St, Seattle, UCAS

"Hold what you've got, I'll be right there."

Vedic closed his commlink, shutting down both the call and the text window he'd used to post to Shadowland. He scanned the street once more, moving left to right, high to low. Mentally he compared the current image with the one he first generated ten minutes ago after arriving. Nothing about the changes in the scene aroused his suspicion, and he turned up the collar on his longcoat against the rain before stepping out of the car. Moving quickly, he slid through the front door of The Green Papaya, noting the table occupied by by ex-special forces mage but not heading directly towards him. Instead, he snaked his way towards the counter in back, only moving laterally to where Roscoe sat after a scan of the restaurant revealed no overt interest in his presence or movement. Vedic brushed his longcoat back as he slid into the seat opposite his contact, clearing the way to his weapons if the situation required. He didn't bother looking at the menu.

"Stay away from the tom rang me, the tamarind sauce is a bit on the extreme side. Bo kho is more likely what you're looking for."

22:40:25 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

“Jesus Kat, I didn’t mean I was gonna throw you to the dogs or anything. I just meant I don’t have the pull or the resources to get him off your ass myself. I can’t speak for Aidan or Razor but I’m not planning on just walking away from you and saying good luck or something. I just don’t know what more I can do besides try to help you find a way out. I’m just worried about the costs to everyone involved.”

She sighed heavily and continued in a much softer tone, more for Kat’s ears alone.

“Besides, I’m sure after tonight my own hoop could eventually be on the line if I really pissed him off.”

22:41:08 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Kat shakes her head. "No, you're right Lana. The last thing I want is for him to come after you too. I know what he wants from me. I don't want him to get pissed at you, because who knows what he'll want from you then?"

Forcing a smile, she adds, "Let's just forget about it, ok? I appreciate what you guys did for me tonight, but you're right, if he's connected none of us have the jam to do anything about it anyway, so why sweat it, right? Whatever happens happens. Why don't you guys just drop me off and we'll forget about it? The guys got a good show, and I got an evening of relative safety. I'll just see what happens and deal with it as it comes along."

It's blatantly obvious that Kat is scared spitless, but she's trying to be chill and brave about the whole thing. It's equally obvious that despite their cool demeanors, Aidan and Razor feel just as guilty as Lana about the possibility of hanging Kat out to dry. At the end of the day though, the problem remains. None of them have the pull to really do anything about it, especially if doing something about it involves crossing the Mob.

"Well babe, do we take you guys home?" Aidan's voice cuts through the tension like a wire, taut and wound tightly.

22:41:45 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Might already be too late to not have him pissed off at me, but then again he doesn’t exactly know who I am either..

But he had to have seen her with Kat at school today, even if he was blitzed out of his mind tonight he could easily put two and two together and figure it out. Hell he could lean on Kat hard enough and she’d likely give up info if the guy played his cards right.

A chill ran up and down Lana’s spine, one that lingered for a long while afterwards.

Like it or not, she was already wrapped up in this mess. Being a friend to Kat was seriously starting to have it’s downsides when it came to her personal safety it seemed. All kinds of trid-inspired dark thoughts raced through her mind until Aidan spoke up from the front seat. She thought for a bit before answering.

“Lets head back to my place. Kat can crash there if she wants for the night.”

22:42:13 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

"No thanks Lana. Just take me home Aidan," Kat interrupts.

"But..."

"It's fine Lana, don't worry about it. Seriously. I don't want to drag you into any more trouble than I already have."

"Home Aidan," she repeats with finality as she turns to the front seat to face him.

Catching Lana's eye in the rearview mirror, Aidan looks at her questioningly, unsure if this is one of those times he should ignore what Kat wants or give in to her demand.

22:42:33 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

She shrugged. It was all she could do. She was caught between a serious rock and a hard place. On one hand she didn't want to leave her friend out to dry, but on the other she didn't want to exactly invite any more trouble to her doorstep, literally for that matter. Besides she still had to have a conversation with Niki about the creepy ThinMan from the mall earlier.

She ran her fingers through her long dark hair and leaned back against the seat which seemed to swallow up her small frame into the shadows.

"So what am I supposed to do Kat? Pretend like tonight never happened?"

22:42:54 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

"I don't know Lana, I don't know! I don't know anything, ok? I've got this fragging stalker trying to turn me into a mindless sex toy, no way out that I can see, and I'm trying to avoid getting you involved, all right! I don't want this to turn out like..."

She abruptly cuts off, her escalating volume suddenly silenced as she realizes Razor and even Aidan might not know what she's talking about, but she knows Lana knew exactly what she was about to say.

Like last time with the acting gig was what Lana knew Kat had stopped herself from saying. Suddenly she realized her friend was still carrying around a lot of guilt from a very, very close call that hadn't been all too long ago.

20:19:13 Wednesday, 10 January 2063- The Sundowner Tavern, 14640 58th Ave S. Seattle, UCAS

"Hot tea, please," Leo said, still discreetly scanning the dining area for Roderick. The patronage didn't offer many likely candidates. In the corner was a ragged human, his jacket leaking the newspaper he had stuffed it with in an effort to stay warm. He nursed a coffee, capturing as much of its heat as possible by cradling it in two hands and almost burying his nose in the steaming beverage.

Three college girls had taken another booth as far as possible from the homeless man, oblivious to the other patrons, chattering about a recent vacation to places with fairer climes. Near them, but seated at a stool like Leo, was a Lone Star officer, a troll of all things, using the only seat in the place designed to accomodate a meta of his size. The same couldn't be said of the design of the silverware, and Leo half-smiled as the giant clumsily poked at some pancakes with toy utensils.

It was a motley assortment, but along with the ork waitress even the least empathic person could sense one similarity - they all wanted to be somewhere else.

Leo agreed with the collective emotion as he sipped his tea and tried to patiently wait for Roderick.

06:26:27 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

The fact that she didn't consider that particular possibility first was mildly disturbing, just another indication of how well and truly stressed she'd become. Cosmo nodded curtly and stepped closer to the trid screen, examining the stills with a more critical eye.

"Understood. I have some work for you if you're up for it, then." Naturally, she paused a second, waiting for some sort of answer in the negative. When none came she proceeded, rattling off items from the checklist that existed only in her well-ordered mind.

"First, I need an eye kept on this location for any signs of activity. This place is significant and I need to know why. Second, I have a list of licence plate numbers registered to five Rolls Royce Phaeton limousines owned by Elite Limousines. I need a list of where these cars are headed this week, when, and with which drivers. Schedules are a plus and I'll pay extra for a rush on this. Third, and this is low priority for now, I'm going to forward notes that I've taken this week .. some crazy drek but maybe you can make more sense out of some of this than I've been able to."

"Sound all right?"

06:26:41 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

"I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but it isn't like I've got twenty four hour access to mil-spec satellite recon. But don't despair! I've got one or two tricks up my sleeve that I think will cover what you need. For the rest, twenty four hours. Rush billing is double my usual exorbitant rates."

HardBitten's digital static icon grins wolfishly.

22:43:01 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Lana winced slightly as she expected Kat to keep talking about their very ugly close call that she had never told Aidan anything about for fear he'd go off and do something macho and in that right, stupid. When her friend stopped herself she shot Kat a thankful glance and nodded all too clear about where she was going with her words.

"Kat, we'll find an answer. Maybe not tonight but there has to be a way to get this creep off your back that doesn't involve you sacrificing your life to him. I'll help you find it, Ok? Just tonight especially I want to make sure you're safe so quit arguing and just come crash at my place already?"

06:27:09 Wednesday 10 January 2063 - 862 Lucile Ave, Apt. 2C, Los Angeles, CFS

Cosmo slipped one arm out of the flexible kevlar suit and shrugged lightly.

"I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you could handle it, sweetheart. Why do you think I keep coming back to you?" The smallest trace of a smile quirked across her lips as she pulled the other arm free and turned her back to the screen, pulling at the confining gray fabric until it hung more comfortably around her waist. Long fingers threaded through her hair until the mass was secured into a single high ponytail. The blonde runner chuckled without humor.

Spend a day in this dump? I'll go insane....

"Twenty four hours. Stay chill, HB."

22:44:12 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Sighing heavily, Kat leans back in her seat and answers in a tired voice, "OK Lana, ok. You win. I'll stay at your place tonight. Aidan, you mind swinging by my place so I can grab some stuff before going to Lana's?"

"Sure Kat, null perspiration." Looking at Lana in the rearview mirror, he asks, "Hey babe, you want me to stay with you ladies tonight at your place? You know, just in case?"

19:27:52 Thursday, 11 January 2063 – West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS
Leon Mordred

The taller of the two siblings just let out a slight snort through his nose and shoved his gloved hands back into his jacket pockets. “I’m good…”, was all he replied with as he silently cursed the cold again. He thought about the gloves he had on and how they weren’t doing a damn thing about keeping his hands warm, but he could only shake his head as he remembered that they weren’t designed for warmth but for something else entirely.
“When do you think this place is going to warm up? I’m tired of all this damn cold weather.”, Leon asked with a air of annoyance clear in his voice as he looked down to his left. He only saw his sister give a slight shrug and a toss of her head as a gust of wind blew over them both and flipped her hair around. “I’m guessing it shouldn’t last much longer, maybe a few days… but I’m not sure. I know it sucks for you, with your bike and all, but it doesn’t bother me much.”, she reiterated with a slight smile and an indication of her lack of warm clothing.
“Come on… now you’re just showing off. Yeah, not everyone has the ‘beck and call of the universe’ at their fingertips, but you don’t have to rub it in.”, the brown haired man voiced while waving his harms out to indicate something great and huge. “Sheesh… maybe they can teach you some humility in that mage school thing.”, he continued as he rolled his eyes before looking down at the grinning young woman.
“Aww… Your sooo cute when you’re annoyed and preachy!”, Freya mocked her elder brother while reaching up to scratch behind one of his cat ears. He hated to admit to himself that it did actually feel good, but had no hesitation in batting his sister’s hand away and rolling his eyes again. From that point on, the banter between the two devolved into something akin to what happened at the McHuge's.

19:35:32 Thursday, 11 January 2063 – Tooth and Nail, West Galer St, Downtown Seattle, UCAS


The conversation cut to a halt as the pair were forced to weave their way though a massive blob of people waiting around on the sidewalk. Leon was halfway used to this, as the changeling sometimes decided to use the subway instead of ride when the rain was too heavy in his mind. He didn’t even have to look at the building to know it was the right club, as the patrons outside sort of gave it away.
Changelings of every race, shape and color were interspersed with normal people as they waited for entry. Leon did glance at the bouncers at the door to see who were working tonight. The vision that greeted him was slightly entertaining no matter how many times he saw it and it made him feel a little guilty since he knew both of them were good people.
At the door a stand had been set up, which a man stood behind, his large horns sticking up like a stag’s. The problem was the fact that the man had to use a large stool to stand on just to look over, fore the man was a dwarf. The woman standing beside him was quite the opposite, with the troll woman a bright shade of blue skin and hornless, which was quite odd for the race.
“Jack and Marie tonight, huh? Not a bad pair really.”, Leon mumbled to himself as he thought about the pair. Talking to them both in the break lounge during the slight break they could pull every once in a while, he found out they were part time lovers, but it had been getting deeper for them both recently. It’s an odd combinations, but he could only shrug it off cause it was an odd situation.

Still, with only that glance, he and his sister made their way through and away from the crowd, moving towards the edge of the giant club and the alleyway that ran alongside it. “You have a way in other than that mob or you just taking a pretty girl into a dark alley alone?”, he heard Freya whisper up at him with amusement. “I’m going to try the worker’s entrance and save us some time and trouble.”, Leon replied with a low voice as they moved into the alley.
The alley was pretty clear of trash and bums, with only a couple of chip heads leaning against the walls in pure bliss, so they pair had little trouble walking down until they got to a door which was pretty non-descript bar the ‘Staff Entrance’ sign and a small sliding window. Looking around for a second, the long haired changeling reached out and knocked loudly on the door before saying, “Yo! It’s Leon. Open up.”

22:44:18 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Lana nodded in satisfaction to Kat's relenting to stay at her place. At least she could feel better about knowing what was up with her for a few more hours. When Aidan offered to stay over she smirked slightly. The only times Aidan had ever actually spent the night were the ones he snuck over in the middle of the night and up the fire escape through her window and out again before her sister ever found out.

"You're more than welcome to chill out babe, you too Razor if you've got nowhere else to be. Course the second Niki pitches a fit I have to toss you both out of your butts." She smiled softly, trying to lighten the dark mood in the car in any way possible.

22:44:43 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Outside the Klassy Kat, Second and Virginia, Downtown Seattle

Shaking his head, Aidan makes a face. “Ugh, I forgot about your sister for a second there. No way I want her pissed at me for staying over at your place.”

“Isn’t she just a suit? What’s so scary her?” Razor glances at his fellow ganger curiously.

“She is definitely not just a suit buddy. You meet her and you’ll see what I mean. She’s just got this thing, you know? Like, you do not want her to get pissed off at you kinda thing. It’s hard to describe, but trust me when I say you do not want to get on this chick’s bad side.”

Lana stifled a small smile at Aidan’s description of Niki. Her sister didn’t actually dislike Aidan, but it was never a bad thing to have your man walking on eggshells around your family once in a while. Kind of kept him in line, and it was cute to watch.

“All right then Mr. Tough Guy,” Lana giggled, “take us to Kat’s and then back to my house. You can even drop us in front so you don’t have to meet my big bad sister.”

The girls looked at each other and giggled, the tension in the car gone, at least for the moment.

23:21:11 Wednesday, 10 January 2063 – Metropolitan Park Apartments, 601 S. Washington St., Seattle

After grabbing Kat’s stuff from her apartment, the four of them drove back to Lana’s place. As they turned onto Washington Street however, Aidan slowly cruised to a stop as they approached a police barricade sealing off one end of the street. Looking down the street, they saw there was an identical barricade sealing off the other end of the street, cordoning off the area.

Within the cordon were several fire trucks, a few ambulances, and numerous Lone Star Cruisers. People were milling around in their pajamas as officers swarmed the scene, getting witness reports and trying to keep people at a distance from one of the buildings. Though it was hard to make out, thick clouds of dark smoke billowed out into the night sky from one of the buildings up ahead as firefighters worked on putting out the remnants of what must have been a roaring fire. Paramedics helped people with blankets, quick checkups, and ever present cups of soykaf.

As they stared at the chaotic scene, trying to make sense of it all, Kat suddenly leaned over and shook Lana’s shoulder, pointing with her other hand. “Look Lana!, isn’t that…isn’t that…your apartment…” her voice trailed off.

With growing trepidation and a steadily increasing feeling of horror, Lana followed Kat’s pointing to note that the smoke was indeed coming from her apartment building. And not just anywhere on the apartment building. Somehow she knew even before her mind began numbingly and automatically counting off the floors. The fire had been on the 13th floor, and although she hoped against hope that it was just a coincidence, that nothing had happened to her apartment she shared with Nikol, her mind raced back to the conversation with ThinMan earlier today and wondered if this could really be just a coincidence…

11:52:33 Thursday, 11 January 2063 - Outside the ABC Convenience Store #2071, 6350 Woodridge Road, Renton, Seattle UCAS

Laughing uncontrollably for a few moments at the woman's reaction, Litany took her lunch and skipped outside.

Lord knows I'm a Bad Girl...

Chewing on the sandwich while leaning on her scooter seat she scanned the street. This was a place where she'd gotten a minor hit, not much, but it was something to pay attention too instead of sitting around waiting. Given the exit and path the targets had taken she was going to take the risk and narrow the fly spy coverage and have it focus on the path taken by the people exiting the shop. She'd lose some overall coverage, but she really needed to get some better visuals to help identify the targets. With a nod to herself she sent the commands.

The whole situation was beginning to wear on her. Feelings reminiscent of her hunting days with the family men in the tall wet grass churned inside. Back then the boys would always be counseling her to wait for the best shot, let the ducks get flushed first and hit them when they were clear of cover, but not yet up to a speed that was hard to hit. They'd been indulgent about her shooting at the ducks through the reeds on sight, the bullets served to flush them out as much as the dogs would. And she'd been smart enough not to shoot when the dogs got close. The boys did start getting annoyed when she'd gotten good enough that the number of times her shooting wouldn't flush anything, because it was already dead. They'd eventually asked her nicely not to go hunting with them.

Waiting for a good clear shot was all well and good while hunting ducks you could flush, but a brain wiped Red Samurai assault team was an entirely different matter. They weren't going to be flushed by anything, and they tended to shoot back. Better to take your shot when you could.