- Chapter 1 - Prologue -
8.28.64 Somewhere in the swamplands outside of New Orleans

As Perry sped along the outlying roads that stretched ever forward deeper into the swamps, he saw a broken down pickup with beautiful woman standing along side it. He slowed down the Westwind turbo, clicking off his high beams, and pulled up behind the old truck, it had seen better days but Perry thought he wasn't alive when it had. The woman who now seemed very pale in the headlights turned and began walking towards him, he shifted his weight to accent certain parts that would help him pick this girl up.
"Howdy, stranger my truck broke down, can you give me a lift into town so I can get a new belt," the woman held up a shredded drive belt and gestured with it.

"Sure, hop in," perry motioned to the passenger seat. The woman walked around the car and slipped delicately into the car, Perry would remember later how careful she was not to touch anything. He backed away from the truck and began driving in the same direction he had been going, fairly sure that there was a gas station with a mechanic about four miles down the road.

"So what's your name, I'm Perry," he thought it was good to start with the basics and then move on to more challenging topics.

"I know," she said slipping her hand behind his neck. She moved with a grace the was uncanny even for the elf she was, and Perry felt a little prick on the back of his neck.

"Ow, what'd you-," Perry's entire world went black, and he drifted off into a swirling abyss.

8.29.64 10:30pm Seatle

You awaken in a cold sweat from a dream of you and your team traveling down a staircase that seemed to be endless. After what seemed like an eternity of downward progression along a staircase that likely stood in the ancient times where no history exists the stairs finally plateau into a vast and dark cavernous chamber, your footsteps echo deep into endless depths. It's too dark even for low light to work and you hear a member of the team’s voice echo through the underground ruins, “Aw shit, my lowlight isn’t working.” Suddenly a vision of the hoary ghoul who had told you of the castle in which the stairs you just emerged from lie, flashes to you. “My friend, I’ll give you piece of parting advice, if you encounter dead zone you may just need this.” Dawning understanding of what that ghastly figure of a man had meant floods over you as you fumble blindly for the Zippo the ghoul had given you. Thumbing the cover off of the light you tell the rest of the team to find something to burn. A loud beeping seeming to come from everywhere and no where at the same time tares great fissures into the very fabric of existence, flinging you out of your dream and into the waking world. Wiping the sweat from your brow you discover have received a message.

Message:
"Meet me at the usual place, 12:05am. I have a job for you"
-Mr. Grey

8.29.64 10:31pm to 11:00 Seattle, my appartment.

I take a shower to make sure the smell of a hard night sleep is washed off. I put on my armor and clothing on, lowest concealability is 10 for the long coat, the rest is 12. Make sure my sub vocal mike and transceiver are in place under my armor. Finally my survival kit is spread out in different pockets in my long coat. I keep my phone, beeper and cred stick in pockets on my armor.

Once I am all packed up, I lock my door and start walking to the usual place. On my walk I will keep an eye out for any trouble or a chance to stick my noise in some one's business.

OL' SCRATCH
August 29th, 2064 · 10:30pm · Casino Corner, Seattle

"Christ," Scratch's drink-ruined voice hissed out. He drew a slow hand across his face as if to wipe the slate clean of the last vestiges of sleep. "What the frag was that about?" A phlegm-clearing cough forced itself out. "You've got to lay off the juice, old man..."

After a few moments of building up his willpower, the satyr somehow managed to find his way to his hooves and half-walked/half-stumbled towards his fridge to retrieve his morning beer, apparently having already forgotten that he had just told himself he should quit. He popped the lid off with his thumb and stretched, his aging body groaning in protest the entire time. It wasn't until he had made his way into the john that he noticed the flashing light in his field of vision indicating he had some messages waiting -- he had just figured it was the neon lights outside fragging with him up until that point.

A few more hacking coughs preceeded his vocalized command. "Damn, what the hell did I do last night? Anyway, Jeeves," the pocket secretary built into his arm chirped merrily in response, "access my voicemail and playback my messages."

It took the little gizmo a few seconds to process out the twenty-six amazing matrix business opportunities, cybernetic penis enlargement implants, and other similar advertisements. Two messages remained and the p-sec decided to play them chronologically. The first was a curt message from Nova indicating that he'd be out of reach while dealing with some 'personal problems' but that he'd get back in touch as soon as he could. The last one was from Mr. Grey who had set up a job offer a few hours from now.

Flushing the toliet, Ol' Scratch starting heading back into his bedroom to figure out what he wsa going to wear today. In the interim, he had Jeeves compose the following message to Petty.

"Hey you coon-ass, it's Scratch. Since you're taking your sweet time finishing up with those mods on Maybeline, you're going to have to come by and pick me up for that meet tonight. And you better get your ass here early, too, since its your turn to buy breakfast and I'm fraggin' starving." He flashed his usual grin into the camera before having Jeeves encrypt and transmit it to the rigger's account.

He threw a few articles of clothing on the mattress and headed back into the shower for a quick shave and shower while he waited for a response.

It was cold. Why am I cold? And wet, definitely wet. What is that slimy… oh yeah!

Sinjin opened his eyes to look a Sea Otter strait in the face. The little creature hovered in the water in front of him, its big black eyes taking in the lil guy with a bemusement that implied intelligence.

He had been working his day job keeping the bottom of the otter tank clean when he had decided to take a nap. Decided less than just fell asleep while he was doing it. The Oxygill provided by the Seattle Ares Aquarium kept him comfortably alive while he did so.

Whoa. What a dream, I need to lay of the Soymilk and cookies brfore diving.

He scratched the Otter under the chin as a goodbye. He liked the little critters and they seemed to enjoy his company. Pushing of with his stubby little legs he made his way to the surface.

The aquarium was closed. Most of the light s were off and he could here the sounds of the harbor at night.

The otter popped his head above the surface next to Sinjin. The little fur covered head mimicked the dwarf and slowly panned around before dropping silently back into the water.

Maybe I should stay and play a bit. But I did promise Petty I would be over to help with the RV’s air filtration system. Dangit all. Stupid work.

Sinjin pealed of the oxygill and casually tossed it over the fenced enclosure that protected the Otters from the visitors. Concentrating for a moment Sinjin let the mana flow through him. It curled around him and lifted him out of the water. Water fell off him like rain fall as he lifted him self into the air.

Time for a spin dry.

The little dwarf spun himself around in the air till centrifugal force had his long hair and beard going out parallel to the ground. He came to a sudden halt and wobbled in the air.

Whoa.

He slowly lowered himself to the outside dock but was unable to maintain a strait line or an upright posture. He collapsed to the ground in a heap, laughing hard enough to choke.

Got to remember that as a party trick.

Once he was able to walk he grabbed the train to the end of Alaska way then marched up the long flight of stairs to Pikes Place. The tram seemed like a long way away to him with his little legs. He passed the time by amusing himself with various thoughts and imagined adventures. Before he knew it he was on the Tram heading for down town.

From downtown it was easy to catch a bus To Petty’s garage.

August 29th, 2064 · 10:31pm · Petty's Garage, Seattle, UCAS

Petty woke up with a start and bumped his head on the underbelly of the car he was working on. Last thing he remembered he was under Maybeline, Scratch's muscle car, finishing up the oil change. Damn. Musta dozed off there fer a sec.

Scanning the work he'd done and checking the system read out, it seems that the work got finished at least. Crawling out form under the beast, the old racer carefully stands, favoring his bum knee. Limping slightly as he walks, Petty moves accross the old werehouse towards his RV to check in on Billy. Half way there, a red LED lights up in the corner of his vision, informing him of an incoming call.

"'Ello? ... Scratch, are you ever gunna stop bein' a pain in my rear? ... Didn't think so. See ya in a bit buddy."

Stepping into the RV, Petty hobbles over to the fridge and pulls out a beer for himself. "Billy? You up and at em, pal?"

August 29th, 2064 · 10:31pm · Petty's Garage, Seattle, UCAS

Ever a light sleeper, Billy reguarded Petty with a look of annoyance. He had never slept well on the road, and he had been trying to catch up. "I am now...remind me just why we're here again..." he responded when he shifted to human form. He fumbled around for his clothes. He still had yet to grasp the concept of modesty, but being clothed seemed to make others more comfortable.

"Work my friend, work. Gotta pay them bills. We've got a meet in a bit. Gear up and we'll swing by to pick up Scratch on the way."

Petty makes his way into the rear of the RV and gathers his 'running gear'. Armed, armored, and ready to go, he steps out of his private quarters.

"Ready to roll?"

Having gathered up the trappings of humanity, Billy headed out to join Petty. He missed being in New Orleans already. Seattle just smelled wrong, even to human senses. Well, at least there were people to see and places to go. Couldn't say the city was boring.

"We're riding in Scratch's car. Come on."

Dropping down into Maybeline, Petty leans his head back and connects the vehicles dataline into his jack. He runs a quick systems check, everything clear. Waiting for Billy to buckle up, the old rigger powers up the Remote Control Deck installed in his cyberarm and sends a signal out to his own car and fires it up. As Maybeline comes to life, the old rodster's personality chip comes to life, "Hey baby! Where's ol' Maybeline takin' yal tonight?"

Petty can't help but smile as the car speaks to him in the old black lady's accent. "Evenin' mam. We're gunna take a ride around town t'night. Got a few stops to make."

"Sure thing sugar-pie! You just let Maybeline know if yal need anything."

Billy got in the car and fastened his seatbelt. He wasn't used to riding in Scratch's car, and was surprised to hear it speaking. He looked around, wondering where this other person was. "Huh?"

Petty just chuckles and lets Billy wonder. He sends out a quick radio signal that opens the bay doors of his shop and fires the muscle car up, pulling out into the night. Just at the last second, Petty spots a small figure walking in front of the doorway and breaks hard to avoid running into it. Realizing who it is, Petty sticks his head out the window and shouts, "Damnit Sinjin, what the heck you doin'? I nearly ran yer tiny ass over!"

Pausing for a second, the old texan grins wide and motions to the dwarf, "Hop in buddy, we're just heading out to pick up Scratch and run over to tonight meet."

The cars hugely over powered engine startles the little dwarf and he just sat there looking at the headlights.

"Wow, just in time, can we stop at Hooligans on the way over, I could use a double stuffed super sub."

"Yeah, no problemo little buddy. We've got an hour ta kill anyhow. Lets grab Scratch and we'll all grab some grub before the meet."

With Sinjin in the backseat, Petty floors it, smoking the rear tires and sliding out onto the street.

"Yeeeehaaaa!"

In the course of my walk, I start to wonder if any members of the last team I worked with would be involved in this next mission.

With that I call Sinjin on my cell phone. He has always been one of the more understanding people I had met in regards to...my condition.

[ring.......ring.........ring]

Not yet buckled in Sinjin tumbles across the deep leather back seat and slams into the side of the curvy car. His little fingers quickly grabbed the interior grooves and held on as Petty roasted the tires down the block.

"I meant to do that," he mumbles to no one in particular. When Petty finally puts the car onto the freeway he releases his grip and grabs the seat belt. Unable to figure out how it works though he just ties the ends together.

Sinjin looks around perplexed at the sudden buzzing noise.

"Hey you guys hear that?"

"It's yer phone little buddy, answer it," Petty says form the front seat.

"Oh, right. I still have water in my ears so you know... it kinda sorta sucks. Hate water in my ears, always getting in my ears and screwing things up. Don't get me started on the stupid bacteria and the little fishies. Damn those little fishies."

Seemingly running out of things to say he picks up the phone.

"Hoi Dude, you coming with us?"

Shocked that he did not get voice mail after the large amount of rings.

"With Us? I take it we all got a page? If you guys are heading to the meet I would not mind a ride, I am only three blocks from my apartment, walking."

"Walking, why would you be walking? It's not like you can walk anywhere really in this city. Ok so thats not true, I walked to the Tram, but at least I was going to the Tram. Were you goingto walk downtown cause its awful late to be walking to the city? Wait hold on let me give you to Petty."

"Petty, Draco wants to talk to you."

Sinjin tosses his phone over the front seat in the general direction of Petty.

The phone bounces to the floor, as Petty is currently jacked into the vehicle and lacking control of his physical body. Sighing, he jumps out of rigging control and reaches for the wheel with one hand and the phone with the other. Finally fishing the phone from under the breaks, he puts it to his ear, "Talk to me bud."

Trying to hear the sounds and figure out what in the world is going on...

"Are you guys on a run already? I hear some very loud noise and you all seem a little preocupied. Anyways, I was walking to the meet and just wanted to see if you guys were invited to this job as well, thought maybe I could get a ride...If its not to much trouble..."

"Sure thing amigo, where ya at?"

Getting the address from David, Petty calls up his system's map of Seattle. "I'll have a car there in fifteen minutes."

Hanging up the line, he tosses the phone over his shoulder into the back seat and jacks back into the hot rod. He gives directions to pick up David to his other car which had been following the group. Petty's own car hangs a sharp left behind them and speeds off to pick up the next addition to the party.

Five minutes later, the gang screetches to a halt out front of Scratch's place. Petty sticks his head out the window and yells, "Come on man! Move yer ass, we're hungry!"

Fifteen minutes to the second, Petty's Race Car pulls to a stop in front of where David was waiting to be picked up. The door opens up automaticly and it becomes clear to him that the car is empty. Over the car intercom, David can hear Petty's voice clearly say, "Get in and buckle up."

Now sitting on the curb so David does not confuse my Petty. David waits for his team mates to arrive.

Seeing a car pull up, David quickly gets up and walks over to the car. He opens the passenger side door and freezes in confusion.

"Um hello, any one in here?"

"This is a big change from all the noise I heard on the phone...I hope Petty sent you...or this is going to be the start to a bad night."

David sits down in the car and shuts the door, waiting to see if anything happens.

As soon as David's butt hits the seat, the rear tires start to smoke as the engine nears red lining and takes over down the street. The intercom speaks up again, "You better buckle up faster than that partner!"

Before David hears the voice he is already asured that this is Petty's driving.

He pushes his legs out to the floor and his back hard onto the back of the seat. This helps him stay in the seat until he can connect what I can only guess would be a 5 point harness.

"Thank you for the ride Petty, will we be going straight to the meet or will you and the other be in need of a meal?"

The intercom replies back, "No problem good buddy. I've got the car in route over to Joe's Pizza so we can all grab some grub before headin' over to meet up with Perry. I've got Scratch, Billy, and Sinjin with me, we'll see ya at Joe's."

Trying to keep his speech as calm as possible and not let the near death driving both him.

"Wow, the whole gang is on this one. Oh wait, what happened to Nova, I know he was a little odd but I kinda liked him."

"That guy? Eh, what the heck, give 'em a call and see whats up."

Picks up his phone and dials Nova.

"I will do that, and I'll see you soon"

[ring......ring....ring....]

Ol' Scratch sees Maybeline pulling into the alley way behind the Booze & Broads stripclub just before he hears Petty calling out for him as if he were looking for a cheap slot to fill for the night. The satyr just pinched the bridge of his nose at the redneck's subtly while he finished pulling on his aging leather jacket, then locked his apartment door behind him. A distinctive clickity-clackity sound heralded his trotting down the metallic fire escape staircase just before he came into view of the rest of the coterie.

"Hey sugah, long time no see... that hayseed treat you nice?" he asked the car as he pulled open the passenger side door and squeezed into the backseat behind Billy while waiting for her response. He flashed a smile and nodded a hello to Sinjin as he made himself comfortable. Once satisfied, he reached into his jacket, pulled out a pack of Red Apples, and lit one up.

"So where we headed? We got a couple hours to kill til the meet, and my stomach is ready to stage a coup if it doesn't get some satisfaction soon." Almost as an afterthought, he added, "oh, and have you heard from the other guys? Nova left me a message saying he was gonna be out of commission for a bit, but otherwise I haven't heard a peep from anyone 'cept youse."

"Oooo whee! This cracka can drive baby! Fixed me up real good too."

Petty rubs the dash and gives it a little pat, "I sure did Maybeline."

Turning in his seat to face Scratch, Petty says, "I got the General picking up David right now. I thought we'd all head over to Joe's for some pizza, sound good?"

Reving the supped up engine, Petty peels out of the alley way and heads towards the eatery.

Back in the General, the intercom chimes in to David, "Scratch says that Nova is out of commission right now, but he'll be catching up with us eventually."

Scratch just made a sour face at the mentioning of pizza, but it quickly shifted into an indifferent shrug. "Whatever man, at this point I'd eat just about anything. And that just leaves Brandon out, eh? Here's to hopin'..."

With that, Scratch leaned back in his seat and turned to Sinjin. He paused for a moment, just staring in admiration at the menehune's proficiency at buckling his seatbelt. "So how's things goin' at the sealab, shorty? Anything new with that quest to find Atlantis or whatever it was?"

David Hangs up his phone and sits back in the sit.

"Well I guess I will stop trying to call him."

"Petty, I just had a thought, I heard they have good food at this club and I really enjoy the atmosphere. Would you guys be opposed to just going to the club early and eating there?"

Sinjin shakes his head sadly.

"No, and my fund are low again too so this job comes at a good time. I just need sixty thousand to purchase time on a relay frame for a few hours. With that I think we could probably make some good head way to getting the tablet cracked. Till then it's cleaning time in the Seattle Ares Aquarium. And runs with you guys."

Assuming I can hear what is being said through the intercom even know the engine is obscenely loud....

"Don't worry about it Sinjin, if you are a little low I can spot you for dinner. I only eat once a day, so I have a little extra in my budget for friends"

...Oh great not that I am woried or anything. I will find Atlantis, And those bastards at the foundation can kiss my dwarven feet them and the damn fishies I swear everytime I get close to finding a clue I get turned down for funds or my boat gets lown up some times with me on it last time I was in the Med I found the most gorgeous temple but it was guarded by little blood sucking fishies and the mana was so over charged there it was tough to cast spells oh man you wouldn't believe the cool ideas I have for spells once I of course get some funding I think I have a way of transporting people underwater very quickly if you combine levitate and water shoping along with oxygenate and alter pressure of course the strain on the mage could be devistating but I think I can handle it yeah. Yeah man I could use some pizza.

"You found fishes? Yum..." Billy commented. It was always amusing when he paid a visit to the aquarium. If he had been in cat form, his ears and ears would be twitching as he intently followed the movements of the creatures that, had they been in the wild, might have been his lunch.

Half of that just flew over Davids head, but to be polite to his friend he says.

"Well...um, that sounds like a lot of fun and like you are making some great movement on your goals. So then you guys really want pizza instead of eating at the club. I don't really care, I am just grateful for the company."

At this point David grips onto the door and center consol with all his might.

"Hay Petty...What kinda safety mods does this thing have?"

"Safety mods?"

Petty pauses, letting that sink in on David, then bursts out laughing, "Just kiddin' partner. Its got the works, vehicle armor, APPS, and a Roll Cage. As far as where we eat, thats up ta yal... What does everything think?"

Davids heart stops after he hears "safety Mods" He quickly begins to unbuckle hopping that he might be able shift and be thrown free in case of an accident.

One he hears the our burst from Petty he starts to buckle back in.

"Ha Ha Petty, you had me for a second. As for eats, you know my thoughts on the matter."

"I don't care where we go, just gimme some fraggin' protein pronto."

"Yeah the fishies, the li'l buggers swim in your ears and nip at your skin. You can have the fishies Billy, just leave all the other things alone. Lets just stop at the stuffer shack real quick ok? We only have a little time before the meeting."

"No way little man, I want some good eats. Lets just head over to the club and grab a bit while we wait for Perry to show up."

Petty inputs the route into each car and sends the team towards the meeting point.

"'Good eats' is a completely subjective term, yanno. Few things in this world or the next beat a half-frozen nuked burrito and a cherry SoySlurpee."

"Screw that man, I wanna good steak. Why the 'ell you think Ah'm in this biz? Gotta support my real food habbit."

Not too much later, two cars pull into the parking lot of The Lonely Hearts Club.

"Last stop yal. Lets eat."

Petty throws the door open and slides out of the hotrod.

(And so we progress the story line our selves)

David gets out and quickly checks to make sure he is not sweating or has wet himself. Once he makes sure he is presentable he walks towards the group.

"Hay chummers, every one ready to go in? I am looking foward to my stake being 25% off for not toting around any heavy mettle."

Patting down his shirt after crawling out of his Buick Oldsmobile 442 Classic, Ol' Scratch casually cases the exterior of the club while replying to David. "Hey, it's Petty's turn to foot the bill, so who cares about a discount?" He flashes that devilish grin of his again before turning strolling boldly towards the front entrance.

David looks at Petty with concern, "Don't worry, I have Sinjin and myself covered."

David checks his coat and takes the small little survival knife from the kit out and places in in the car. Then he walks quickly to ketch up to Ol' Scratch.

Petty reaches into his jean jacket and pulls out his Predator. After stuffing it under the drivers seat, he follows the group into the club.