22:05:26 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma Demilitarized Zone

Studying the situation, Daedalus calculated what would be the most effective action given the layout of the opponents and allies. He then willed Talos to move off the roof and down to hover in front of the mouth of the alley the goon had entered.

If the goon heard the whir of the drone's rotors, he would simply be able to turn and see Talos preparing to fire upon the rest of his team. Daedalus kept an eye on the goon as he prepared to fire.

If he missed the whir, he definitely won't miss this...

22:05:26 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma Demilitarized Zone

Dragon could barely suppress a savage grin as he mentally switched the shotgun’s mode to burst-fire. He’d had a rough couple days. Dodging ambushes, missiles (twice, no three times now!) plots, schemes, and all sorts of random drek coming his way. It was time to dish some punishment back out, and the poor fraggers across the street were going to be some nice stress relieving objects for him to take his pent-up aggression out on.

As he chambered another shell into the chamber after his last shot, he heard Daedalus’s message in his head. Instinctively he yelled, “Erebus! Incoming around corner!”

Then, returning his attention to the task at hand, he calmly aimed, letting the smartlink’s crosshairs guide his shot, and let loose with a burst at the first goon. The shotgun roared and bucked in his hands as three shells launched themselves out at the target. Easily keeping the weapon on track and noting with satisfaction that the shells should demolish that foe, he smoothly turned to the other goon and let loose another burst, the shotgun again roaring as it let loose with another killing barrage…

22:05:26 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma Demilitarized Zone

Dragon's shots come too quickly after the blast for the two attackers next to the building. The first one, already wounded by Erebus, is quickly reduced to a red puddle of once-living tissue. The second one, makes a valient effort to raise his submachine gun, but falls to the ground, bleeding out from three neatly stitched holes in his torso.

The lone remaining attacker, hearing the loud blasts, pokes his head around the corner of the building Erebus is running towards...

22:05:27 Sunday January 7, 2063 Tacoma Demilitarized Zone

Erebus' hesitated waiting to see if someone came blasting around the corner, but conscious of the time ticking by, he couldn't wait. With a quick move he popped out from around the corner, sacrificing the benefit of cover so that he could protect his weapon from anyone attempting to grab it as he came around the corner.

22:05:27 Sunday January 7, 2063 Tacoma Demilitarized Zone

The Predator in Erebus's hand booms out two shots that both hit the attacker in the upper torso. Struggling against the hard impact of the gel rounds, the attacker doesn't fall to the ground but instead launches himself with a roar at Erebus. Striking out with a wild kick, the attacker, maybe because of the impact of the rounds doesn't make contact with Erebus.

22:05:27 Sunday January 7, 2063 Tacoma Demilitarized Zone

Tenmou stepped out onto the street and surveyed the area. His companions had cleared most of the area already. Seeing the bleeding thugs laying in their own blood and the blasted front of the bar, he realised that in the time it took him to round the bar everything had been taken care of.

Moving as fast as his injured body would take him, Tenmou crossed the street, checking shadows with his SMG. He collapsed against the wall of the alley across the street, wincing in pain as his injuries reminded him of their presence. He scanned the alley and the street for signs of hostiles.

22:05:27 Sunday January 7, 2063 Tacoma Demilitarized Zone

Nodding grimly to himself in satisfaction, Dragon takes cover by the nearby wall, and while scanning for any more threats, thumbs fresh shells into his shotgun. After a few moments, although not fully reloaded, he takes a moment to make sure there's no more incoming threats, at least for the moment. "Daedalus, give me a sitrep. What do you see up there?

22:05:27 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Drek Strewn Alley in Tacoma

Erebus felt the air breeze across his face from the speed and force of the attacker's missed kick and took a half second to look down at his Predator, feeling slightly betrayed.

I gotta use bigger bullets.

The extraneous thought flitters across the edges of his mind while the rest of him floats within the Void, feeling the rhythm of battle, the give and take of hand-to-hand combat.

I step inside, hands flashing into a blur, punches and elbows blasting through the human's weak defenses. Blood arcs from split lips and lacerated scalp to add his own brand of graffiti to the alley walls.

The heavy pistols booms loud in the alley's narrow confines and the attacker's face goes pale as the gel round impacts hard enough to push the wind from his lungs. He tries to keep upright but all he can see is the still smoking barrel come into line with his face.

Or. . . .

The various scenario play themselves out in his head in an instant, like a movie projected inside his eyelids, but the reality reflects Erebus' upbringing in the gangs on the streets of Berlin.

As the man's foot touches down from his missed kick Erebus steps forward and boots the poor slob square in the groin, for all the world looking like a place kicker going for a field goal.

All thought of attack seems to leave the fellow's face as he clutches the offended portions of his anatomy and begins to retch and whimper.

22:05:27 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Just Outside a Drek Strewn Alley in Tacoma

Daedalus zeroed in on his targets accross the street, the soon to be recipients of a hailstorm of bullets when mysteriously, one of their heads exploded, then the other collapsed spraying gore all over the sidewalk.

Well, that saves me some bullets.

He then whirled Talos' sensors to the conflict arising in the alley just in time to see Erebus seriously reduce the goon's chances of ever fathering children.

Daedalus smiled wryly and ascended in Talos to regain a high vantage point and transmitted to Dragon and Virgil:

"All apparent threats neutralized. Looks like Erebus even got a live one. We'll probably need to transport the guy for him. Lets get moving, I'll move out when you can cover Erebus."

Glad to see we've got a pretty good team here, we'll need them for when the big guns come out.

22:05:30 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Drek Strewn Alley - Tacoma

Erebus recovered from the kick and glanced over the downed man, searching the alley for other possible threats, assuming the man would be out for awhile.

He was too deep in the Void to be surprised by anything but, it took him a full second to realize the heavy managed to pull himself up off his knees and was actually trying to resume a fighting stance.

Tough fragger.

The Elf warrior never gave the man a chance to get set, a quick front kick to the chest blasted through the goon's weak defenses and sent him crashing into the alley wall. This time there was no question of the guy getting up, he fell into a boneless heap on the pavement.

Moving as quickly as possible Erebus did a one handed frisk, keeping his pistol up and pointed down the alley the way the man had come. He stripped the man of a submachine gun and a Predator and the clips. Finding no additional weapons he started to get up when he noticed the elaborate tatoos on his ersatz opponent.

Realizing that the rest of the team might have no idea where he was he stepped back and yelled down the alley he'd so recently raced down.

"Over here!"

22:06:15 Sunday January 7, 2063 - A Suddenly Calm Tacoma Battleground

Taking advantage of the lull to finish reloading the Spas, Dragon received Daedalus's status update, and immediately after, heard Erebus yell from the alley, "Over here!" Looking around the street one last time to make sure it was clear, he moved back into action.

Striding towards the alley, he radioed Virgil and Daedalus, "Virgil, get the car and pick up Daedalus and Tenmou, bring the car around to Erebus. I'm going to go meet up with him on foot. Daedalus, make sure the street is secure, and stay in the sky. Give us a warning if we have any more incoming. I'll meet you guys at the other end of the alley."

Jogging down the alley, shotgun held in his hands still, he switched over to the police bands. Knowing that missiles fired anywhere were going to attract official attention, he wanted to be clear of the area before the law, or what passed for it, showed up.

Nearing the end of the alley, he slowed as he saw Erebus kneeling over the body, apparently searching it. Noting that the man was still breathing, he nodded in approval of the elf's efficiency. "Good job taking him down in one piece. The others are on their way with the car. You all right?"

22:06:17 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Alley Near Ground Zero - Tacoma

Erebus stood up, the SMG dangling from his left fist, and the goon's Predator shoved behind his belt.

"Ya, we're clear here. Have we searched the area the attack came from? If you can load this drek head into the car then I'll haul hoop down there and look over the other bodies and see if we can find any additional clues as to who these jokers are."

Seeming to suddenly think of something, he gestures to the opening on the downed man's shirt and the tatoos that are revealed.

"That suggests Yaks to me but I'm not taking anything for granted. We'll need pics of these guys to run through various databases, they might have connections that will tell the story."

Extremely conscious of the time going by he starts to drift down the alley towards where the ambush came from, still talking to Dragon.

"I'll go check the bodies and bring back anything I find then I'll head to my bike and meet up with you back here, okay. Here, can you put this in the car with you guys."

Erebus flips the SMG over to the big runner then not really waiting for a reply the young elf takes off down the alley, headed towards where the goon's original attack came from, moving along at a run and listening for sirens.

22:06:25 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Burned up car - Tacoma

Running over to the still brightly burning wreckage of the car that the ambush started from, Erebus sees the long launch tube of an Aztechnology Stryker, a throwaway weapon that Max could have gotten for him in time to shoot back at the men if he had been able to get ahold of the fixer on his way over here. Looking around for any more such tricks, he doesn't see a single car on the road; only the glowing dome over the edge of the shipyards off in the distance.

Moving over to the goon that got fried by Virgil's mojo, the only tell-tale sign of death was the nearly fist-sized hole drilled neatly thru the Asian man's upper abdomen, and the steam the drifted up from it. He was dressed similar to the other bushwacker, with less armor but with a more upscale series of tattoos; interlocking scales in a myrid of colors tied together with kanji characters clearly visible on fingertips and along the sides of his neck up to his ears in the firelight of the car. Some bags hang from loops on his coat, but only a small pistol comes up in Erebus's quick search.

Dragon, monitoring the police freqs, doesn't notice any upswing in the Star's calls yet

22:06:30 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Launch Site - Tacoma

With quick, sure hands Erebus rifled the dead man's pockets, snatching up the tiny pistol and the bags and pretty much anything that might hold some clue as to the who and why behind this attack. That done he snapped a quick photo with his p-sec of the dead man's face and tats and called it good.

Expecting to hear sirens at any time the young Elf vaulted the car and ran back into the street towards the bar that had suddenly turned into ground zero for a military engagement, heading for his bike. He began to hear the wails and screams from inside the bar and could smell the unique scent of toasted flesh but ignored it, none of his team mates were down and the rest were expendable.

He'd check to make sure that the bodies where being searched by the others then hop on his bike and head back to the prisoner. It was time to leave.

22:06:45 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Mouth of the Alley - Tacoma

Making sure the goon is incapacitated, Dragon looks around for something to tie his hands with. Finding a bit of wire in a trash can nearby, he binds the goon's hands tightly and then lifts him up, easily slinging him over his shoulder and hauling him out to the mouth of the alley.

Once there, he dumps him unceremoniously on the ground and withdraws back into the alley ever so slightly to provide cover in case of another ambush. Keeping his eyes peeled for any signs of potential trouble, he radios, "Daedalus, Virgil, I'm at the mouth of the alley with the prisoner. Bring the car around."

22:06:48 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Mouth of the Alley - Tacoma

Though Dragon had just sounded all was clear Virgil still crouched down as he darted from the wall of the building across the short distance to the beater they'd been driving. Glancing at the shiny new dent adorning the rear driver's side door Virgil felt like a teenager who would have to tell his buddy that he'd crashed his car, only Juliette might be a tad more forgiving . . . wouldn't she?

Slinging himself into the sedan Virgil eased on the gas, no need to sqeaul the tires, and drove around the corner pulling up next to the awaiting Dragon. Hitting the trunk release while lowering the passenger side window Virgil keeps the conversation as quick as possible.

"Throw him in the trunk. You drive."

22:06:45 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Rocket Ravaged Bar - Tacoma

..."bring the car around"

Daedalus watched the car pull up to Dragon and the hostage get dumped into the trunk.

Well, I have to get into that car at some point too.

"I'm coming out of the bar, eyes in the sky are going out for a moment."

And with that, he pulled out of Talos leaving the drone keeping watch over Erebus and his search.

Reengaging his body was always a dissapointment compared with the exhilaration of gliding through the air percieving nearly everything around, Daedalus especially felt some new scrapes and aches from the rocket explosion.

Standing up from under the table, Daedalus casually looked around, then strode out the gaping hole in the front of the bar as if absolutly nothing in the world was wrong and quickly crossed the street to get to the car.

22:07:45 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Mouth of the Alley – Tacoma

Tossing the body into the trunk and shutting it firmly, Dragon climbs into the drivers seat as Virgil moves to the back. Placing the shotgun within easy reach next to him, he smoothly pulls the car around to where he sees Tenmou quickly and efficiently searching the bodies, just in time to see Daedalus casually stride out of the gaping hole in the bar’s wall.

Keeping the car down the street a ways, closer to Tenmou, so as not to allow any of the bar patrons a clear view of their car, Dragon transmits to the rigger, ”We’re down by the south end of the street, away from the bar. You just couldn’t use the door, could you?” Even though he knew the rigger couldn’t see him, he just couldn’t resist grinning. Some things never changed.

22:07:49 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Outside What's Left of the Depot Bar & Grill - Tacoma

He was hauling hoop across the street about the time Virgil and Dragon got the prisoner secured in the trunk of their car. He saw that Tenmou was already searching the other bodies so he altered his course towards his waiting bike.

He slidded to a stop next to his ride and mounted up. Just as he slide his electronic key into the ignition slot Erebus saw Daedalus come walking out through the hole in the wall at the front of the bar, for all the world as if nothing unusual had happened.

He could hear adults cursing and kids screaming in the sudden quiet that always follows gunfire. Even in the relatively rough and tumble neighborhood surrounding the Tacoma docks missile fire was highly unusual so Erebus was pretty sure every PANICBUTTON system in the area had been pressed. Gunning his bike's engine he wrestled it through a quick turn and pulled up alongside the car where Virgil and Dragon were waiting for the others.

"What the frag?!? Missiles!!! Where to from here, we need to hole up and find out what's going on."

He glanced around nervously.

"Whatever we do we need to clear the area immediately. I thought we were attracting too much attention in Vinnie's restaurant, and we were just using small arms there. This is insane."

22:08:15 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Outside What's Left of the Depot Bar & Grill - Tacoma

Dragon grins at him. "The way this day is going, we might want to just find an abandoned warehouse or vacant lot somewhere. If we're going to make getting shot at a habit, we may as well find somewhere that's tactically advantageous for us to hole up. Besides, all we really want to do right now is talk anyway. Don't need to risk exposing one of our safehouses just for that."

He looks meaningfully at the smoldering remains of the Depot Bar and Grill. "And right now, I'd say our exposure level is pretty high."

22:08:15 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Outside What's Left of the Depot Bar & Grill - Tacoma

Tenmou hears the all clear from Erebus and makes his way back to the fallen goons. He sifts through the remains using his wakazashi as stick, to avoid leaving any traces of himself in the pooled blood. He carefully liberated any clips and weapons that weren't caked in the perp's blood before returning to his companions.

Seeing Dragon nearby, he stashed his weapons back into his backpack. Dragon nodded toward the smoldering remains of the Depot Bar and Grill. "And right now, I'd say our exposure level is pretty high."

"Agreed," Tenmou. I need to have some downtime to rest my injuries somewhat and to find out who is after us. I have a friend within the Yakuza, who might be able to provide us with some discreet shelter..."

22:08:41 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Outside What's Left of the Depot Bar & Grill - Tacoma

Dragon thinks about it for a second, then shakes his head. "That's very generous of you Tenmou, but that guy we caught in the alley was heavily tattooed, which means we have to at least consider the possibility that these guys are potentially associated with the Yakuza. Before we get into any dealings with them I'd like to know if they're connected to this at all."

He gestures towards the trunk. "Or at least, I'd like to strongly encourage our friend in the trunk that if he knows anything, he'd better talk. Then we can go from there. We're already in it with the Mob. Let's not get into trouble with the Yakuza as well."

Motioning to them both, he says, "Let's continue this in the car while we figure out where to go. I'll tell Erebus to ride rear guard and let us know if we're being followed."

Getting into the driver's seat, he pulls away and heads for the highway, careful to obey all traffic laws and stay under the speed limit. As they leave, he dials up Erebus, "We're going to clear the area before the law or any other interested parties show up. Will you ride rear guard on us and let us know if we're being followed? Do you have any ideas on where we should go for the time being? Tenmou suggested a Yakuza friend but I'd like to avoid getting entangled with any more syndicates until we get this biz with the Mafia squared away. Let's not drag the Yakuza into this just yet. Any thoughts?"

22:08:43 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

Erebus slipped the earpiece into his ear then pulled his helmet on over it, more to cover his face than for any other reason.

"Dragon, I've got a friend I can call down in Puyallup who might be able to help. Head south on I-5 towards Lakewood and then head into Puyallup. I'll ride rear cover and call my friend and get back to you."

The young elf programed in the other runner's LTG numbers to his various speed dials and then told his phone to dial Doc Hammerclaw an Elven street doc down in Puyallup. Doc used to run with the Princes before he started his shadow clinic and he remains connected. He left a quick message with Doc asking if he knew of a quiet place they could squat for a couple of hours, a place without noisy neighbors and if he wouldn't be willing to make a quick housecall. Doc had trouble turning away anyone hurt but tonight's work would still cost. Realizing the cost, Erebus dialed another number, this one from memory.

Hoi, Elan, its Erebus and we need to talk about a deal. I'm laid my hands on a cyberdeck, but I'm in need of more liquid assets right at the moment." Knowing the next sentence was going to cost him big time, he added, "I'm in a time crunch here chummer, so call me soonest."

A quick voice command had him back on the line with Dragon in the car ahead of him. They were proceeding along the streets towards the nearby on ramp, at the posted limits. The I-5 ramp would quickly blend them with traffic and make it nearly impossible for Lone Star to find them, Erebus had picked this bar for a reason.

"Dragon, I've gotta stop by my apartment for a quick second. I've contacted a street doc friend of mine who is a Bear shaman, I'll see if he can find us a squat. I've got to hit my place to pick up some stuff that I'm sure we'll need, either we can go together or I'll go alone and then meet up with you."

22:08:41 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

Pulling out, Dragon looked in the mirror at Daedalus in the back seat, "Hey, tell that blimp of yours to get goin toward Puyallup, it's gonna need a head start." And with a wry smile, "And see if we can't get some missiles of our own onto that thing eh? It'd be nice turn the tables for once."

Daedalus smirked, "Yeah, if we ever get a chance to sit down without these fraggers crawlin out after us."

He gave the orders to Icarus to start traveling, then jumped back into Talos and flew around to each of the bodies on the street, snapping off pictures of them before catching up to the car.

The intercom built into Daedalus' cyberarm croaked to life with a slightly mechanical version of his voice, "I've got pictures of each of the perps, just in case. And I'll have Talos take up a discreet flanking position till we get there."

22:08:48 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets – Tacoma

Following Erebus’s driving directions, Dragon radioed back, ”Erebus, if it’s ok with you, we’ll go back with you to your apartment. There’s been a few too many fights, ambushes, and other nasty surprises in the last couple hours to make me feel comfortable about splitting up. Unless you strongly prefer otherwise, I think it would be prudent for us to stick together for the time being.”

22:08:55 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

Erebus's phone rings as he drives down the street. "It's Doc. Your message was pretty rushed, you need a place to stay, right?" the shaman asks, concern evident in his voice.

22:08:55 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

"Hey, Doc, thanks for the call back. What I need is an isolated spot, preferably abandoned, where me and a couple of chummers can hole up for a few hours. Utilities are optional. I've also got a couple of people who could use your services. I know you're in tight with the Princes so I thought somewhere in their turf would be appropriate. You let me know the price tag and directions and I'll be there."

Erebus wanted to keep Doc's involvement to a minimum, knowing that he was putting the shaman at risk. The less the Princes' were involved the better since that was going to cost some cred.

Still, the elf thought as he headed his bike towards Milton and his apartment there, I'd rather pay and live instead of be tight and die.

22:09:19 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

" 'Use my services' meaning they're shot up, right? Never mind, I know the answer to that," the shaman says with a sigh. After a moments pause, he continues. "Go ahead and bring them then, I'll tell you what you owe me when I see what you've got. I've got a place off of 7, an old warehouse off of the Eatonville Highway. And loose any heat you've got on you before getting there. These guys down here are even more paranoid than usual lately. " Doc says

22:09:19 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets- Tacoma

"Thanks Doc, we'll be there as soon as we can. I'll let my crew know that the hardware will have to stay in the car."

Erebus immediately relayed the information to Dragon including the address for Doc and the restrictions. They were moving well now, and wouldn't be too long until he got back to his place and picked up the rest of his gear. He'd grab his deck and his AK too, as well as a couple of grenades, things were getting nasty fast around here.

22:09:55 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets- Tacoma

Virgil had almost convinced himself that this recent ambush was not connected to the attacks outside of Tommy Wong's or Juliette's clinic. It was more likely that the goons outside of the bar had been waiting to ambush Tenmou and Erebus as part of their involvement with Vinnie. Not to mention that they didn't seem to be as well trained and coordinated as the ambush squad from earlier today.

Discussing things with Dragon and Daedalus would help to solidify things as Virgil was sure that they had additional thoughts on the latest battle that were not obvious to him. But before he could bother to talk with his companions, another far graver concern was scratching at the back of his mind.

Juliette . . . galina . . .we were spotted at the clinic once . . .

Not even finishing his thought Virgil whips his phone from long-coat's inner pocket and immediately presses the button to speed-dial Julitte.

"Beeeeep . . . beep"

That's one. .. come on, please be OK

"Beeeeep . . . . beep"

All he can do is wait, and hope that the agonizing sound of the phone ringing will be ended by the sound of Juliette's sweet voice, mocking him for worrying so much.

22:10:41 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets- Tacoma

"Beeeeep . . . beep"
"Beeeeep . . . beep"
"Beeeeep . . . beep"
"Beeeeep . . . beep"

Nervousness is starting to give way to outright panic by the time the cellphone is finally answered by Juliette -- almost a minute later. And the first words out of her mouth are: "Don't use names!" And then, deliberately keeping it light: "How is my car?"

22:10:41 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets- Tacoma

The trash littered suburb that was Tacoma flashed by in the night. The few tall building there were stood out like beacons in the darkness. The putrid smell of the 'Tacoma Aroma' waifed on the cold air reminding you all where you are.

For an instant Tenmou sees the reflection of a single headlight in the night behind them. He glances at Dragon to confirm what he saw. The big samurai nods, he had seen it too.

22:11:46 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets- Tacoma

"In much better condition than our last car, in fact I am riding in it as we speak. We got jumped again a short while back, no idea if it is related to our last incident. I just wanted to see if everything is OK on your end."

22:13:12 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

It seems a very long time before Juliette speaks again: "Depends. We still need what you're looking for. How're you doing with that?"

22:13:32 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

A bit confused as to why Juliette seems so odd on the phone he considers his next phrase carefully: "Fine thus far, I just wanted to be sure that you were safe . . . . and I wanted to ask you . . . do you remember what my brother does for a living?"

22:14:58 Sunday, January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

Again the lengthy pause. "Yes, it is me," she says finally, quietly. "I know he's crossed over. So would anyone who knows you. But Vi' -- we're supposed to be laying low, here -- and we're running out of time." A very short pause, this time. "So why are you calling me anyway?"

22:14:11 Sunday, January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

He had thought he was being clever in trying to ensure that he was talking to Juliette, now Virgil just felt sheepish. "I just called because we were ambushed again and it seemed possible that your location might have been threatened again. I just wanted to make sure that you were all safe."

22:20:15 Sunday january 7, 2063 - Steets of Milton - Tacoma

Erebus watched carefully for anything amiss in the area as they approached his apartment, hoping that everything remained quiet. He re-dialed Dragon's number as they turned the corner onto the street his apartment building was located on. He couldn't see the building from here, they still had several blocks to travel, but now it was simply a straight shot without any further turns.

"Hoi, Dragon, my apartment building is just up this street on the left, there is an underground parking area where we can park that's discreet. At least there it would be hard to be observed. There is only one entrance though."

He knew the big samurai would understand all the tactical implications of taking the parking lot. It would get them off the streets and out of sight, almost impossible to be spotted without giving any observer away, but it would also mean they could be trapped in there too and have to flee on foot through the building. On the whole he would prefer to park inside and rely on the drones to provide a timely warning of trouble, but he still wasn't sure how much the other runners would trust him not to lead them into a set-up.

Either way he had to get back to his apartment to pick up his cyberdeck, he also wanted to grab his AK and ammo with as rough as things had gotten on this drek eating run.

22:11:00 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Streets of Milton – Tacoma

As he catches Tenmou’s eye and notes they had both observed the same thing, Dragon says, “Daedalus. We might have someone following behind us. One headlight, back in the distance. Can you get a drone up there and check it out?”

22:20:29 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Streets of Milton – Tacoma

They sit in silence for a few minutes while Daedalus goes back to check, at least in theory. Meanwhile, replying to Erebus’s call, Dragon answers, ”Hold on. We might have someone trailing along behind us. I’ve got Daedalus in the sky right now to check it out, but until then, we might want to wait on heading back to your apartment. Maybe we should cruise past it first, or even split up? How long will it take you to grab your stuff?”

22:20:30 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Streets of Milton - Tacoma

He refused to look back or make any indication to whomever might be following them.

"It'll take me maybe six minutes inside the doss, plus travel time to the apartment, maybe 10 minutes total from the time I get out of the saddle. If you want to split up that's fine with me, I'll stop and see if I can ID the trailer then run grab my gear. Or we can all move into the doss in force and see if who ever is following is stupid enough to try us on for size."

Erebus tried hard to think his way through the problem, work the angles to find whatever edge he could. He had his bike, and his Yamaha in the parking lot, they could put another rider out as a skirmisher, someone who might not be connected to this crew immediately. Plus, if he could lay his hands on the AK and the Neurostun grenades in his apartment he'd have more available firepower to play with in case of trouble.

Now that he was looking for it Erebus could see the one eyed vehicle following a few hundred meters back. It could be a harmless local, out for a midnight drive in gang infested streets....

22:20:30 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Streets of Milton - Tacoma

Daedalus glanced over the rooftops to see the car he, Dragon and the others are traveling in and spots the car he mentioned. He then changed the course Talos had been cruising at to hover over the street.

"I'm on it Dragon. We may want to see about taking a couple extra turns, just to make sure that this guy is following us. Man, this is like Aztlan, the action never stops. We may need to seriously reconsider this whole operation."

Talos eagle eyes spye the oncoming headlight with robotic efficiency. The information is than relayed through the radio signal that leashes Talos to Daedalus.

The driver is young, perhaps 16, with close croped hair except for one brain in front. He is dressed in monk like robes and doesn't apear to be armed.

22:20:50 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Streets of Milton - Tacoma

Daedalus made sure to keep Talos reasonably out of sight as he scrutinized the rider.

"It's a teenager on a motorcycle, dressed like a monk, single braid of hair. Is there a monastery around here or something? He appears unarmed, physically anyway. Maybe we can just pull over at some random place and see what he does."

He glanced briefly into Icarus's cameras flying high above the street to note the general street traffic following them, ahead of them, and anywhere else in the vicinity.

22:25:50 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Streets of Milton - Tacoma

Its late, your in a less than savery part of town, the streets are nearly deserted.

22:17:15 Sunday, January 7, 2063 - Tacoma City Streets - Tacoma

Again, after the pause: "We've not been ambushed again. We're trying to keep it that way, so I'm going to have to keep this brief. Just -- be careful?" And with that the line disconnected.

22:30:45 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Streets of Milton - Tacoma

While driving, Dragon spoke through his radio, "Tenmou, you should be able to hear this through your com on this frequency. Daedalus, when we get there, camp out the alleys, we gotta give Erebus some time to get up and get back. Only one entrance so we need to keep it clear."

"Beautiful, how much you wanna bet we DON'T get Juilette's car back to her in one piece." Daedalus replied as he prepared to move his drones into position while keeping Talos' watchful eye on the monk behind them.

22:30:45 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Streets of Milton - Tacoma

Tenmou was briefly startled when Dragon's voice was relayed through his transducer, but quickly recovered.

"Read you loud and clear, Dragon. Glad to know you're capable of silent communication. Where do you need me?"

22:31:15 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Streets of Milton – Tacoma

”Since when do we ever return anything in one piece? This is getting to be a bad, not to mention potentially expensive habit,” Dragon muttered sourly.

After gathering all available data and forming a plan in his mind, Dragon continued, “All right, here’s the plan.”

Speaking aloud for the benefit of those in the car while he transmitted to Erebus, he said, “Erebus, park your bike in the parking garage and run up to get your stuff. Tenmou, you and I will go down to the parking garage itself and hold the entrance, as well as to back up Erebus when he comes back down or in case trouble’s already waiting for us. Daedalus, keep the outside clear and keep us informed of what’s going on outside. Virgil, if you can’t do magic stuff and there’s no one to talk to, you’re worthless.”

They all cracked a smile, even if it was a serious issue. Without Virgil, their magical backup was exactly zero, and that was never good. They needed him back and functioning at full capacity, because it was pretty obvious their enemies weren’t skimping on the heavy artillery.

“Thanks,” Virgil answered dryly. “I suppose you’ll want me to run around on the street screaming and waving my arms to draw their fire?”

Grinning at him in the rearview mirror, Dragon answered, “Well since you volunteered…I was going to tell you to drive, but if you want to be our decoy, who am I to say no?”

Getting serious again, he said, “All right, we’re here. In and out as quickly as possible and then on to get to this hideout Erebus mentioned. Let’s go.”

Pulling up in front of the parking garage just as Erebus sped down into it, Dragon quickly got out of the car, immediately looping the Franchi Spas around his shoulder and hiding it as best he could under his coat, while Tenmou did the same thing with his SMG on the other side of the car. Meanwhile, Virgil moved to the front seat and drove down the street into a nearby alley for concealment.

Jogging down into the parking garage and taking up positions on the opposite side of the entrance, the two of them got there just in time to see Erebus hop off his bike and start running up the stairs. Taking cover and keeping a close watch on the street, there was nothing left to do but wait…

22:33:24 Sunday January 7, 2063 - Concealed in a nearby alley – Tacoma

"You know Virgil, you could always use my SMG. Not the same as drilling a hole in some guys head with your will, but it'll do in a pinch." Daedalus offered from the back seat.

He moved Talos into an alley accross the street from the parking garage, then jumped into Icarus far above the street to keep a broad perspective on anyone entering the area.

Then he recalling that he had never actually seen Virgil fire a gun, he added, "... or you could just drive and tell me when to come back and where to shoot."