For the Casual Roleplayer (Pt. 4)

[LilWhiteMage]

[OOC]
Yay ^^ New thread! Let's get this on the road (hopefully with less spamming this time around) ^^;

[GatoFiero]

[OOC]This was repost from the part 3 thread.[OOC]

A man burst through the window of the bar, shards of glass flying for several meters in every direction. Gerek (who had just returned to the table with his ice), Isis, and Tenjin looked at the man laying on the floor.
Gerek thought to himself, this is why I hate bars!,
Isis thought there is the shit, now where’s the fan?

Odd man on the floor: "I need to get a god damn label for those cases. God damnit!" Latmov looked at the bar patrons, who were, naturally, staring at him, "I suggest ducking, and somebody get me a drink!"

The trio at the table looked at each other and uniformly dived under the table, upturning it toward front wall. Almost as if on queue there was an earsplitting explosion from outside. Isis thought, and there is the fan.

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin didn't even flinch as things went to hell outside. Glass went everywhere as a strange man dove through what was left of the window. He brushed some of the glass off his suit calmly and looks at the man on the floor in front of him "wow that was most certainly stupid, now you have 20 angry clanners after you"

[LilWhiteMage]

Stephanie looked up quickly as there was a sudden explosion not that far away from where she and Ryan were. "So much for seeming to be normal... If someone finds us here now with THAT going on, whether we're acting casual or not, we're in trouble."

She peered out from the alley, seeing a billowing cloud of smoke rising up from a few streets down. "This is most definately not good now.."

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin slowly rises to his feet and sees only dead, dying or KO'ed clanners "I stand corrected stranger you have no-one to try and kill you...except for me for making such a stupid move" He wanders outside and looks down the street " well this is going to draw some attention. GEREK! Tell your informant that the meeting place was "rendered usless" and suggest another place to meet" Tenjin glances down the street and sees somone stick their head out of an alley "what is she doing?" he mutters. Tenjin shrugs and wanders back inside.

[GatoFiero]

Gerek: "Agreed, Isis, does that ava. comes equipped with com equipment, quiaff?

Isis nods and begins to send a transmission.

Gerek: Have him set up another place, this is not Clan Wolf territory so I do not really know another adequate spot...one thing though, make sure it's not a bar!

Gerek gazes at one of the bodies laying on the ground, poor Jade Falcons, I would avenge your deaths if it were not for the fact that you are crusaders and I am a warden, meh, this just means that much less scum in the gene pool.

----------
Note: Warden and Crusader clans have an intense rivalry, although it almost never shows as outright hostility. Think of it as being akin to the hostility between the republicans and the democrats.

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin looks near the table they had been using as cover. He lets out a sigh of relief. "if someone had taken my bag there would be hell to pay" He didn't even bother looking at the corpses as he wandered out they wern't worth his time anyway.

[LilWhiteMage]

She quickly pulled her head back as she noticed someone in the bar down the road look directly at her. "Crap! I think someone just saw me..."

[Dante]

OOC: Geh, I thought Neverwhere's base was in the mountains? How did everyone get to town so soon? nevermind, I'll retcon the previous ones...

Just as he was about to reach the door, Kojiro was thrown off his feet by a man bursting through the window right next to him. He hit his head on a nearby table, and for a second he saw stars. No, belay that - he saw the entire galaxy.

As he supported himself up one-handed, the pain of the broken glass on his hand focusing his cosnciousness, he drew a small knife from inside his coat.

Bloody bastard... you'll pay for that...

Then he was knocked off his feet again by a large explosion. He slipped on the glass and right into Tenjin, sendign the ninja crashing to the floor. As Kojiro looked at the person he had had the bad luck to crash into, he cursed again.

* * * * * *

The oil had been easy enough to find once he located the lubricant storebox, but Virgil questioned the logic of keeping the automobile supplies so far away from the vehicles.

Ah, fuck it, drive on, he thought. He gunned the engine and flipped up the kickstand, then raced down the steep, twisting slope with about as much concentration as he would have needed to take a stroll. He cut a sharp turn and raced past a bar, noting in the split second that he was next to it that a clanner was threatening what looked like a freebirth with an assault rifle. He ignored in and drove on...

...and he almost spun out of control when the shockwave of the explosion coming from behind him hit him squarely in the back, jolting him forward across the handlebar. A lesser driver would have been thrown clear of his vehicle - Virgil managed to hang on, but just barely. He stole a quick glance behind and saw the clanner lying dead in a pool of blood and a large hole in the bar's glass window.

Then, as he turned back to the front, he saw Stephanie pulling her head back into an alleyway. He almost jammed on the brakes when he did, but iron discipline instead forced him lower, to make the bike more stable, and to rev the engine up even more.

Damn. Xypher's base must have multiple exits. Can't let her see me...

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

As Tenjin leant over to pick up his bag he saw a small pool of blood. He got some on the end of his finger and sniffed it "Your still here Kojiro, only your blood could ever smell like shit" Tenjin wipes his fingers off and picks up his bag "so Gerek what does this contact of yours look like anyway? I just want to know what to look for"
* * * * * * * * *

Kojiro was half way down the street already by the time Tenjin had noticed his blood on the floor. He cursed "Stupid stupid STUPID. He could have caught you and then it would have been lights out" He glances at his hand "and I am in no position to fight with my sword-hand cut up like this. Why did I kill that old bastard anyway?!" Then Kojiro's mind kicked in because your a raving psychotic. "no I am not"
yes you are and it would explain why your hanging around with Danae Kojiro clutched his head "shutup, shutup SHUTUP" He found the street and tried to get as far away as he could "Stupid Tenjin..."

[GatoFiero]

[OOC] gotta post fast, i'm just about to go to bed[OOC]

Tenjin:"so Gerek, what does this contact of yours look like anyway? I just want to know what to look for."

Gerek explains what species Xypher is and other relevant identifying details.

[LilWhiteMage]

Stephanie tried to remain calm as all of this was going on. Oh hell.. who was she kidding?

Lucky for Virgil, she hadn't noticed him ride by on the bike, having been to busy panicking over the fact that someone from the bar had seen her.

Wouldn't someone had come if they had IDed her?

Again she peeked around, this time seeing Kojiro running right towards her. "Gah! Someone's coming!"

[Tor]

Walking towards Steph he started to laugh silently

-You know... The best place to find Xypher and Virgil would probably be inside of there, wherever we go theres an explosion or other weird happenings. Lets go

He strted to walk towards the alley reloading his guns and then conceiling them again

[LilWhiteMage]

"And you were saying I wasn't acting right..." She slipped out behind him, trying to catch up. "That may be just the place for Mr. Thelitram or ..Virgil.. but that will also be where probably just about every Clanner this side of the city will be."

[Tor]

He looked towards Steph...

-Thats right, and it is therefor I have to go there, can't just leave them to die now can we?

His smile dissapeared and a stern look came over his face turning towards the burning wrekage

[LilWhiteMage]

"But Ryan.." She had caught up and was now walking alongside him. "We don't even know that it was the both of them involved. And us being in the vacinity of an explosion is NOT what I would consider keeping a low profile. This is just asking for trouble."

[Tor]

He stopped and looked towards Stephanie again

-Yeah you are probably right... I wernt thinking straight there for a second lets leave this place and stay low for a while... and I do have Virgils comcard... just need to get myself a new com unit and were good.

Begins to walk away from the explosion and towards the city

[LilWhiteMage]

She turned around with him, giving a last glance towards the wreckage. "Right..." Hesitating for a moment, she finally reached down and grabbed his hand, holding it as they now walked in the opposite direction. "Just to.. you know..."

Clearing her throat, Stephanie quickly changed the subject. "So... if we can find a place that sells com units, we should be able to possibly get in touch with Virgil?" She tried to blend in as best she could, not sure that she felt all to comfortable with being in the open right now. "But do you have enough do get the new unit?"

[Tor]

Stoping once more and looking at both Stephanie and the wrekage

-Nope we don't have enough, I only have a couple of hundred... here in Clan teretory it costs about a thousand or so for one... but that was ten years ago so maybee.

He moved his hand towards the city and started to walk towards it

-Come now

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin watches as two people begin wandering towards him stop, begin wandering again, stop again and head in the opposite direction. He lets a confused look crack across his face before saying "ok that is needless to say a very peculiar way of acting in public, but as it stands I could not care less. This place is wierd enough, though the exploding hovercrafts and and strange men diving through windows are a nice touch"

[Dante]

Piotr stuffed another 200 round box of tungsten-teflon penetrators into the hip pouch when he heard a familair squaelch of static in his ear. It was Danae.

"Piotr, how are your men holding up?"

"Quite well, but there seems to be a little setback... Kojiro ran into an old nemesis of sorts. They might interfere with the plan."

"You know what to do."

"Right. We will be ready soon. Yang, Miki, Gwynn and their teams have taken up position around the hotel with sniper rifles. I will be heading there shortly."

"No. You will come with me to the warehouse district. Bring the van."

Piotr almost dropped the magazine he was loading into the machine gun.

"What? Why?"

A chuckle, then Danae continued. "Our friend has a stockpile of very dangerous Inner Sphere toys in a warehouse number 44. I believe it would be best for us if we... liberated that equipment for ourselves, no? After all, if he got his hands on a jump suit..."

Jump suit? Just how deeply had the Inner Sphere penetrated them, anyway? But this was no time for idle speculation.

"I copy. I will take Yang along just in case."

"Good. If Kojiro comes back, kit him out and give him a few men to take out that nuisance following him. The police nets are going wild - no need to be too subtle. Besides, they'll draw attention away from us."

"Danae, I just received word - Sonobu spotted Virgil heading west along Kerensky Plaza."

"Hmm. He's headed for the warehouse as well. Lars is on Solidarity, right? Have him intercept Virgil. We need as much time as we can get."

"Roger."

"Danae, over and out."

Piotr was in two minds about this. Although part of him was glad that they could take Virgil away from the rest of the men, reducing the chance of them getting hurt, another part of him feared what would happen if Virgil escaped. There were only Yang and Piotr with her... who knew what she might do in her rage. But there was nothing to be done about it. She was the boss, after all.

******

As Virgil sped down the deserted streets, a police car flashed past him in a blur of red and blue lights, trailing a dopplered wailing that soon trailed off.

Must have been the explosion, he thought.

Then a shot rang out, hitting the handlebar of his bike and splintering it. Virgil cursed as he skidded, out of control, into a nearby shrubbery. He managed to throw himself clear, but even as he did another shot rang out and a pit appeared next to his head.

Fucked up... where's the shooter?

He flipped himself up and leaped over a nearby concrete planter, using the stony base as cover. He withdrew a mirror from his pcocket and angled it around carefully, looking for his unseen assailant...

...and he found him, standing in a window, the smoke curling up from his rifle having betrayed hs location. He quickly withdrew his hand and began shucking his coat.

I'll jump on three. It's my only chance - hopefully I'll be able to use my coat to buy me some time...
Virgil leaped out from beside the planter, landing heavily on his chest. The shooter immediately took his cue and sent three armor-piercing rounds downrange, one of them finding a chink in the plates and penetrating the Spectra lining that held them together. Virgil fell and lay very, very still.

Then, suddenly, before the shooter could react, Virgil rose from behind the planter, both hands holding a Magnum .50 with a ten-inch barrel. As though they were meant to be together, the notch of the rear sight tip found the blade of the fore sight tip, and both centered directly on the head of the man holding the rifle.

April fool, motherfucker!

A shot rang out, and Lars fell forward, half his body hanging out his window. Blood dripped from his chest where the big slug had caught him.

Wasted too much time... I have to be there now.

He started the bike up again and rode off towards the warehouse.

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin hears shots ring out and hits the deck, taking cover behind the still burning hovercraft. He hears one more shot and looks up the sniper now dead "well this keeps getting better and better. Taking into account chaos theory the next rather violent event would be a thermo-nuclear explosion." He looks at Gerek "tell me what is wrong with this city? Is it always this violent or is it more of a display while we are here?" Tenjin rises to his feet and dusts himself off.

[GatoFiero]

Tenjin: "well this keeps getting better and better. Taking into account chaos theory the next rather violent event would be a thermo-nuclear explosion." He looks at Gerek "tell me what is wrong with this city? Is it always this violent or is it more of a display while we are here?"

Gerek: "Only on tommy gun Tuesdays. And the nuclear explosion might not be as far fetched as you think....well, not exactly nuclear but Fusion reactors going critical are just as bad.” Gerek points out several large objects approaching the city. Upon closer observation the turn out to be battlemechs from a nearby Jade Falcon base, "They probably think that another clan is attempting to take their city. Isis, what do you see?"

Isis: "Looks like a fast response force, I see two APCs and 4 mechs. The APCs are probably holding Elemementals (http://warhawkppc.tripod.com/mechbay/elemental.html). Two of the mechs are Cougers (http://warhawkppc.tripod.com/mechbay/cougar.html), one Shadow Cat (http://warhawkppc.tripod.com/mechbay/shadowcat.html) and the last one is the power house, a Cauldron Born (http://warhawkppc.tripod.com/mechbay/cauldronborn.html). We’d best find our contact and get out of here before those APCs get here, cause when they do, this place is going to be swarming with Elementals and anyone who’s not with clan Jade Falcon is going to be in for a nasty surprise."

[VeritasHertz]

Latmov sat up and received a barrage of curses from several of the bar attendants.

"Wow, I didn't even get stabbed," Latmov then noticed the knife that had been pulled, "Ofcourse the day is still young."

Latmov looked over at those that were still standing, then at the bar which had a pile of broken glass where liquor used to be.

"...damnit..."

Figuring he had a desire to live and knowing that clanners would likely be swarming the place in about 40 seconds, Latmov stepped towards the survivors just in time to hear the last bit of their conversation.

Gerek: "-They probably think that another clan is attempting to take their city. Isis, what do you see?"

Isis: "Looks like a fast response force, I see two APCs and 4 mechs. The APCs are probably holding Elemementals. Two of the mechs are Cougers, one Shadow Cat and the last one is the power house, a Cauldron Born. We’d best find our contact and get out of here before those APCs get here, cause when they do, this place is going to be swarming with Elementals and anyone who’s not with clan Jade Falcon is going to be in for a nasty surprise."

Latmov was not amused, "WHAT?! You gotta be kidding me?! DAMN IT RALK I'LL PISS ON YOUR TOMBSTONE FOR TAKING ME TO THIS HELLHOLE!" Latmov briefly thought of Ralk laughing from hell, rotten bastard.

Composing himself, Latmov looked at the three of them, "Shit... alright, I know you guys aren't clanners, so you have just as much to lose as me... which would be your lives. Now I know we didn't exactly meet each other on the right foot, but I'd be more than willing to help you guys out if you guys agree to not skin me for causing this mess."

Latmov checked a case of ammo he had on him; satisfied with the results of the check, he loaded his pistol with the right bullets for the situation.

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin smiles "well things just keep getting better and better. If I could get hold of Denstiny I could show these fools a thing or two but since that is not going to happen any time soon we should consider moving and rather soon too!" He looks around for some kind of transport "damn. I hope you lot can run because otherwise you are not going to make it out alive and stranger I just happen to be a clanner and so is he though we are definately not Jade Falcons" He raises the sleeve on his left arm revealing a small tattoo of the Clan Shadow Wraith symbol.

[Mr. Viewtiful]

I'd like to join in on the fun :) Here's my profile:

Name: Scott D. Viewtiful
Age: 20
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 215 lbs., a little muscle-ey, but not overly buff.
Clothes: Black t-shirt with a red "V," camo green semi-baggy cargo pants, backwards purple baseball cap (with yellow-gold "T" logo), loose-fitting dark green down vest, sport sunglasses (only outside), black athletic shoes.
History: Doesn't really know much about his past. He only remembers his name, and that crazy things happen when he is put in grave danger. He doesn't know his family(killed when he was young), and so he becomes very protective of anyone he becomes attached to. He doesn't know how he got to this world, but feels that this isn't his home...
Description: Besides above, quiet, softspoken young man. Very down to earth. Is a free-born, no clan affiliation. Doesn't like fighting, but can't back out of a fight when someone is in need. Takes a liking to guns and handheld weapons.
Special Attributes:
Someone Worth Fighting For- fights a whole lot better when defending someone or something.
Scientific Progress Goes "Boink!"- likes to mess around with electronic gadgets, and sometimes he can make it run really well, or screw it up really bad, depending on his luck.
Breath of the Undying- has such a strong will to live that he won't die easily, no matter how close to death he is.
Bad Eyesight- he had laser-eye surgery recently, so sometimes his eyesight goes haywire.
Well-Mannered- Never has (or will) cussed, smoked, or any other thing that would disrupt his good-manneredness (body-enhancing drugs, tatoos, etc.).

[LilWhiteMage]

I'm gonna try to help get Mr. V in here ^^ So yeah, bare with me and this semi long post


"Maybe we'll get lucky and find something for cheap. That works. Maybe." She let out a sigh as they got further and further away from the explosion area, flinching slightly as she heard multiple gunshots nearby.

Relax. Just act natural. No drawing attention to yourself.

As they continued their walk in the city, Stephanie kept an open eye for a shop of any kind, finally spotting one. "Let's go check out that one Ryan." She tugged his arm slightly and pulled him to the open door, stepping inside.

"Hello." A man laid down a paper onto the counter and greeted them as they walked in. "Anything I could help you two with?"

Stephanie turned to the man and smiled. "Oh no, me and my... boyfriend... are just looking around right now." As he got back to reading his paper, Stephanie explored further into the store. They were the only people there, save for the man behind the counter and another young man wearing a baseball cap, who was also browsing around.

"Okay, you go see if there's anything else we might need, I'll go ask about the com unit." She whispered to Ryan, then started back to the counter as he walked off.

"Excuse me sir, you wouldn't happen to sell com links here, would you?"

The man quickly dropped the paper, giving her an odd look for a moment.

Stupid... You're talking wrong to him.

"Do excuse me sir. We have just been having a long day. There was an explosion nearby, and I am just a bit stressed by that and all."

Apparently the man bought it, after all, he too had heard the explosions. "Sorry, miss. We do not sell a com link of any kind around here."

With a sigh, she turned away. "Thanks anyway..."

Well, so much for that...

[Mr. Viewtiful]

"Do excuse me sir. We have just been having a long day. There was an explosion nearby, and I am just a bit stressed by that and all." said a young woman. Scott turned his head, and saw a woman talking with the cashier.

"Sorry, miss. We do not sell a com link of any kind around here."

"Thanks anyway..."

Scott frowned. I bet she'd been having a rough day, he thought. Hey, I got a comlink! Perhaps I should let her use it!

Scott walked up to the disappointed lady, saying: "Hey, my name is Scott. I heard you need a comlink, and that jerk doesn't have any." The cashier made a disgruntled cough. "I have one. Do you need to use it for something?"

[GatoFiero]

[OOC] lmao, Latmov is going to get quite a supprise when he finds out that he's talking to three clanners. Viewtiful, sure you can join, all you have to do is figure out how you got onto the clan homeworld. Now i really have to be off to bed, i have to wake up early for a final tomarrow.[OOC]

[LilWhiteMage]

"Hn?" Stephanie turned around, only to find the other man that had been there in the store, and he was offering free use of his comlink.

"You would just let a complete stranger borrow your equipment?"

She almost wanted to shout with glee. Finally she could at least get a hold of Virgil and try to get him to explain what in the world was going on.

"If you would not mind us borrowing it for a minute, my boyfriend was in the middle of a very important message with his superior and his comlink died." She quickly factioned up a story to explain why they would so desperately need the item.

"Oh, honey" She called out to Ryan. "There is a man here who is going to let us borrow his comlink so you can call Vir... Mr. Virgess."

[VeritasHertz]

Latmov's heart fell into his stomache when he say the tatoo on Tenjin's arm. He didn't like dealing with clanners, in fact he hated dealing with clanners, but when in Rome...

"Great... well the offer still stands. It's better than being dead."

Latmov lit a cigarette off of the burning debris that used to be a useful hovercraft infront of him.

"In case it helps with your tactical outlook, not that I don't like the running plan, and I'm all for it by the way, but incase it helps, I have a pistol clip loaded with Jammers. It sure as hell won't stop a mech, but it can at least scramble the Elementals's comps for a few seconds basically the sideeffect of a PPC ."

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin smiled as Latmov turned slightly green. "no need to panic. I will not kill you... just severely injure you. Even then you have to really piss me off" Tenjin hears a loud thud as one of the mechs strides down the street toward them "should we get moving?" he says rather lightly.

[Tor]

"Oh, honey there is a man here who is going to let us borrow his comlink so you can call Vir... Mr. Virgess."

Ryan turned around walked towards the new guy and Steph

-Thanks mr...? what is your name?

[Dante]

"Virgil's on his way to the warehouse. The clanners have dispatched mechs and Elementals, and they look like they're going to intercept you. This doesn't look good, Danae."

"Miki, you and Gwynn go take your teams and head the vehicles off. You still have the antiwalker ammunition from the stash, right? Find some way to stop the APCs and mechs, then eliminate the crews. If you can't capture the vehicles, destroy them. If you can't do that either, turn them on Virgil. We should at least make them do some of the work for us."

"Roger. But how about Kojiro?"

"Leave him be. When he and his men arm up, they'll create enough chaos that nobody will notice a quartet of mechs and two stars of Elementals disappear... or change sides."

Danae willed the Ghostalker's (http://www.clicshop.com/Scripts/Logs/VoirPhoto.asp?) radio off, then took a few more practice steps. The neural interface worked so well that moving in the suit of power armor was almost the same as moving in street clothes. She raised the right and left arms, and noted with a vicious grin the laser and autocannon on each side. The linear accelerator on the back, an experimental weapon, was icing on the cake. Beside her, Piotr was also in a suit of power armor, as was Yang. God knew how the Gray Death Legion had managed to get these into Clan space, but they would be an invaluable asset to anyone seeking to off a Clan Khan.

Or to anyone who sought to kill a single man.

"Sensor stealth and thermoptic camo packages online, Danae." Piotr said. "Yang is ready too. Orders?"

"You two fall back. I'll finish this myself."

The two other Ghostalkers became transparent, blending into the background as the thermoptic camouflage took effect, until they were nigh-invisible to the naked eye. The blips indicating reactor signatures also faded from Danae's screen. The only sign that Piotr and Yang were there was the odd deflection of dust against an unseen object, and footsteps that shook the ground. Danae owered the laser and autocannon arms, letting the linear accelerator telescope open.

"Come to me, Virgil..."

Come to me and die!

[LilWhiteMage]

"Yes, it is very nice that the good sir here has offered to help, but I really think it is important that you get a hold of Mr. Virgess." She smiled and wrapped an arm around Ryan's, leaning in to whisper into his ear again.

"Please tell me that you somehow know how to get in touch with Virgil now that we've got the link.." Stephanie turned and gave a pleasant smile to the young man, to throw off any question of doubt.

[Tor]

-Of course I do... now run

Ryan grabbed the Com-Link and punched the new guy in the face

-Thanks, heres the money

He threw some credits down on the floor and began to run out of the store and into the nearest dark alley with Stephanie

-I told you we would get one

He grinned towards Steph as he turned it on and pushed in the card with Virgils Com ID

-Hey Virgil... Ryan here do you hear me?

[LilWhiteMage]

"Gah! Ryan!" Stephanie turned and started to dash out of the store as the owner started to rise. She stopped though, bowing a couple of times. "Really.. I'm sorry about this all sir.." She let out a meek as she noticed the shopkeeper now coming over the counter. "Gotta run! Sorry!"

She scrambled out the door, catching a small glimpse of Ryan as he darted into the alley. She followed after him, coming to rest against the wall, praying that the shopkeeper wouldn't follow.

"I told you we would get one."

"I know... but did you really have to hit that guy? He was going to let us borrow it anyway." Folding her arms over her chest, she glanced out of the alleyway and into the street. "Not to mention pissing off that shopkeep.."

A sigh crept out as she looked down at the ground now, staying quiet as Ryan attempted to get in touch with Virgil.

[Tor]

-Take it easy... I didn't hit him that hard, and besides clanners can take alot of beating before they go down, and we will probably need it more afterwards...

Continues with the Com-link

-Come on Virgil... take the God damned com... Come on... Virgil, it Ryan take it

[LilWhiteMage]

But we've once again drawn attention to ourselves...

She sighed again, keeping a constant watch out into the street while he continued to get a hold of Virgil.

Virgil...

She wondered where he was right now. If he was okay, or if he was in danger.

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin rolled up his sleeve and tapped on the tattoo. Thanks to the nano-engines implanted in his arm, what he aptly called his "goody gauntlet" constructed itself down his forearm. He tapped twice on the top and two small holo projectors rose out creating an image similar to what you'd find on a computers desktop. he tapped in a few places and brought up a city map. "ok good places to hide close to here would be here *he points at a small alley on his map*, here *he points at a small shop down a narrow street* and here *he points at a storage shed near the landing pads*. So what is it going to be people?"

[Dante]

The bike threw up a small cloud of dust as it entered the factory district. Virgil paused for a moment and tried to recall the location of the hardware stash.

Warehouse 44, shop floor office, keypad, switch... Enter 4769 and push switch, otherwise it just opens up a useless secret compartment... If code is entered correctly, floor opens up and reveals 3 Ghostalkers...

Keeping that in mind, he set off again.

******

The Ghostalker's sensors informed her of Virgil's approach without so much as a verbal warning, but with a mental ping combined with a red icon representing Virgil and a red line indicating his line of approach superimposed upon a 3-D map of the area.

The transparent machine shimmered slightly as Danae began charging the accelerator's capacitators. As soon as Virgil moved out from behind the row of buildings he was hiding behind, she could lock the cannon onto him. Normally she would have used a high-power active scan to pinpoint him through the cover, but the cannon wouldn't be ready to fire for a few more seconds, and using the scan meant dropping the cloak. If Virgil spotted her silhouetted against the skyline he would most assuredly flee, leading to a very messy chase through the city.

Keep it clean, Virgil... just walk into the shot... don't make it any harder on yourself than it has to be...

******

Just as he was about to turn in towards Warehouse 44, he felt the comlink in his pocket vibrate. For a moment he thought of ignoring it, certain that it was Danae trying to taunt him again, but then he remembered that his was a private number. Only someone knowing exactly which number to call could reach him. So he stopped the bike and flipped the handset open, looking around at his surroundings as he did.

It's... who is this? Don't recognize the number... It's probably Ryan...

"Hello? Is this Ryan?"

[Mr. Viewtiful]

"You know..." Scott said, walking up to the lady, "It isn't nice to hit me and run away with my stuff, especially before I can get your name." Scott grinned as she gave him a surprised look. "and the name's Viewtiful. Scott D. Viewtiful, not Virgess."

Once again, you trust strangers too much...oh well, as long as I get my 'link back... "Hey, who are you calling?" Scott inquired.

[VeritasHertz]

Latmov looked at the man and his mildly impressive array of technology as he displayed it, "I say we use the storage shed, it's possible that we could find some artillary of our own in there, if nothing else the docks are near by as well and we can try to hijack a ship. I just wish there was a way to get into a mech from here."

Latmov looked back up at the man dressed so casually in what appeared to be ninja gear, "So shall we go or do you have any better ideas?"

[Tor]

[OOC]
You are not with us, we ran away mr. Viewtiful
[OOC]

"Hello? Is this Ryan?" Virgils voice sparked through the com link

-Finaly... I have been trying to contact you for about five minutes now. Where are you? We are worried sick about you, Steph especialy, we are in the city now.

[GatoFiero]

[OOC] He followed you [OOC]

"I say the alleyway, it is closer. Plus, they will be watching the spaceport very closely. And finaly," Gerek points to a large building near the center of town. "The ally is in that direction. If we can get there I can guarantee that we will be safe."

Isis: "Gerek, how many caster shells did you grab? If they are on a high enough level we might be able to defend ourselves from the elementals and the smaller mechs. The Scat and Cauldron Born's armor are too thick, but we can take the Cougars if you can shoot worth a damn."

Gerek sticks his arm into his coat up to his shoulder and pulls out a Caster, then checks the chamber. *kachink* "One #9 chambered, that should be able to go through an APC or Elemental." *kachink* Gerek closes the chamber and hooks the Caster on his belt, "but I am pretty sure I have at least one #16 and a one of those special singularity shells."

Gerek looks at Latmov, "And who said we about anything? I and my friend here are of clan wolf, you are the only free-birth here! AND YOU CAUSED ALL THIS TROUBLE!!"

Isis: “Careful not to burst a vein, we can not just leave him here.” Turns to face Latmov, "There's no need to steal a ship, we have a dropship at the spaceport and a jumpship waiting out of the planet's sensor range. Now I suggest we stop talking and move."

Tenjin: “That building you mentioned, what is it?”

Gerek: “It is an embassy. Whose embassy I do not know, but they will help us, I can assure you.” And with that Gerek dashes out of the building, making sure to stick close to cover.

--------
Edit - I'll justify having a caster by saying that they are hella hard to construct, ammunition takes a while to construct (sometimes longer than the gun), the parts used to make the gun must be very high quality and hence expensive, and that the gun is easy to counter for the same reasons stated on Outlaw Star...where I basically ripped of the gun from. That would be why everyone doesn't use them as anti-mech weapons.

[LilWhiteMage]

Yeah, we'll just say that Scott followed her out. >_>

Stephanie was a bit surprised as Scott suddenly came into the alley. More surprised anyway than if it had been the shopkeeper.

You know..." Scott said, walking up to the lady, "It isn't nice to hit me and run away with my stuff, especially before I can get your name." Scott grinned as she gave him a surprised look. "and the name's Viewtiful. Scott D. Viewtiful, not Virgess."

"It was close?" With a sigh she glanced back at Ryan who was still trying to get a hold of Virgil at the moment. "Look Mr... Viewtiful. I wasn't expecting him to hit you. All we wanted was to borrow it for a moment to..."

Her words trailed off as she heard Ryan talking into the comlink. "Is it him?" Forgetting almost completely about this man that had followed them, a big n-no, she turned back around to Ryan. "Find out where he is..."

[VeritasHertz]

Latmov cracked a smile, "Well Isis, the more that comes out of your mouth the more I like you. Lets go."

Latmov followed suit and stayed close to Gerek. The last thing he needed was to get tangled in with clan politics, but survival was far more important than preference.

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin was moving at quite a fast pace. Then again so was the rest of the group. What seemed to be the embassy was only a few hundred feet away and the mech behind them was getting too close for comfort. Tenjin ducked his head and crossed his arms over his face as a volley of laser fire lanced overhead. "this is not good" The mech fired again blowing up a nearby car "this is REALLY NOT GOOD!" He, Gerek, Isis and Latmov almost dove through the front doors as another laser slammed into the pavement behind them...

[GatoFiero]

The room they were in was a large entrance hall with a marble floor. Two bronze statues of Nova Cats were at the end of the hall, seeming to guard the doorway into the main building. Lining the sides of the entrance hall are several large columns which stretch up to the ceiling. Above the main door is a banner with the Nova Cat symbol. Hell yea, thought Gerek, Nova Cats!

Isis: “Well, judging by the extravagance, I would say that this is a Nova Cat embassy.”

Gerek: “The large bronze nova cats over there, and the banner up there,” *points above the doorway* “are dead giveaways.” *pats Isis on the shoulder* “thanks for the info captain obvious.”

Isis glares at Gerek as a pair of Nova Cat guards converge on them with 10 cm Powerguns (the powerguns in the previous chapters were the 2 cm handgun model I assume).

“Identify yourselves!” says the larger guard.

Tenjin and Latimov appear to be tensing up for a fight when Gerek steps forward. “My name is Gerek of the bloodname Nash. I am a Galaxy Commander of Clan Wolf’s Inner Sphere Ranger Division. This *gestures to Isis* is my ship’s avatar, Isis of Windrunner. We came to here to meet with your lore master, but as you could hear, *gestures outside* there have been some difficulties. Apparently some stupid free-birth blew up a car. Anyways, of last my knowledge Loremaster Minori was here, may I speak with her?”

The guards seemed confused for a second and then one of them left, presumably to check our identys. "Your in luck," said the remaining guard, "Loremaster Minori is here, if she wishes then she will see you."

Gerek: ?! Ah shit! I did not think she was actually here!

Guard: “Those other two, who are they?”

Gerek: “Oh,” think fast, “They are just bondsmen from my many battles with the scum of the inner sphere.”

Before the first guard can respond the other guard returns in a hurry, “The Loremaster wishes to see you all immediately.”

Gerek: "As I knew she would, come, lets be off!" And with that the quartet marched through the door into the main building, and the heart of the Nova Cat embassy.

--------
[OOC] Dinner now, I’ll let you guys stew over the implications of this until late tonight when I’ll probably post again.[OOC]

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin cringed within himself we were better off outside with those Mechs. Things will become most interesting should we be discovered, but at least I have my equipment he glances down at the bag in his hand takes a deep breath well here goes nothing

[Mr. Viewtiful]

Err...I;m new at this, so bear with me...Oh, a couple questions:
Comlinks work like cellphones, right? And the whole clans-and-mechs thing is based off MechWarrior? I'm wondering, since I recognized the terms Jade Falcon and Elemental (I only played MechWarrior 2)

Scott leaned his shoulder on the alley wall, and made a serious, inquisitive face. "Who are you two? Who is this Virgil?" He shrugged. "look, I can see that you have been having a rough time, but come on, let's not be anti-social now." Scott said with a friendly grin.

[GatoFiero]

[OOC] I brought in battletech but this universe is only loosely based on it. It pretty much only goes as far as the clans and the two exodus'. [OOC]

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

OOC: I'm assuming so and I think thats what Gato intended as well

[LilWhiteMage]

Stephanie turned back around to Scott, having forgotten about him in all the excitement of knowing that Ryan had actually gotten through to Virgil.

"Oh." She tried to think of something quickly. "Let's just say we're a couple of out of towners trying to get in touch with a friend."

[Dante]

"Finally... I have been trying to contact you for about five minutes now. Where are you? We are worried sick about you, Steph especially, we are in the city now."

That last made Virgil feel sick to his stomach. Again. I abandoned them again. And for what? For guns? He connected the hands-free set and dropped the 'link back in his pocket.

"I'm on the outskirts of the city. It would be a good idea for you guys to avoid the Hotel Rendezvous, but don't tell Stephanie that. Just lead her away or something. And whose comlink are you using?"

He looked around at the deserted cityscape as he spoke. There was something... something wrong about the place. Granted, these warehouses had been in disuse even before he had come to Strana Mechty over five years ago, but the silence was unnerving.

Then his eyes settled upon a curious sight. A black dot, hanging in mid-air, immobile. He looked closer, squinting his eyes to aid in focusing...

... and he picked out the faint shimmering of the Ghostalker's thermoptic camouflage.

Dammit! She's here!

Acting quickly, he revved the bike's engine and did a swift 180, burning rubber as he raced to get out of the places as fast as possible.

"Ryan! Change of plans! Where's your location? I've been compromised!"

******

It came as a shock to Danae when her prey suddenly started moving again. FOr a moment, she was stunned with surprise, which was probably the only thing that allowed Virgil to survive.

Son of a bitch! How did he know?

Abandoning all pretense at stealth, she willed the high-power targeting radar on even as she ignited the Ghostalker's jump packs, the leap carrying her forward almost directly over him. Then, realizing that she had a good enough visual lock on him, she cancelled the radar and diverted all power to the linear cannon. The two concentric targeting reticles aligned and centered upon Virgil.

Your time has come, Virgil...

YOU WILL KILL VENEDICT.

She squeezed the trigger.

A lance of white flame seemed to sprout from the ground and link back to the jump-suit's shoulder. Then the ground heaved as a mushroom cloud of sand and dust rose from the point of impact. The shockwave blew out the bottom of the cloud, resulting in it looking more like a giant oak tree sculpted of roiling ash. The sound was like the basso profundo of the largest gong in the world being struck, sprinkled with the sounds of glass windows exploding from the overpressure.

[LilWhiteMage]

As Stephanie stood there trying to keep Scott from questioning them any further, there was yet another loud explosion, so much so, that she quicker reached up to cover her ears."Gah! What in the hell?!" Beneath her feet she could feel the ground shaking a bit beneath her feet.

Still holding her hands over her ears, she pushed past Scott and into the street, seeing the cloud rising up above the buildings. She hadn't seen or heard anything so bad since... well, since the explosion at Stronghold that had caused her to be in this mess to begin with. "My god..."

She looked back in to Ryan, who was still on the link. "Please tell me he wasn't anywhere around there Ryan." Turning back to look towards the cloud, she shut her eyes and braced herself as a sharp wind caused by the shockwave blew the dust from the street up into her face.

Please let him not have been anywhere near that. She shook her head a bit, ears ringing a bit from the noise of the blast.

[GatoFiero]

the computers electronic voice sounded the warning
++Enemy Mech Detected!++

Vince hurriedly looked at his radar display and grinned evilly. This was what he had been waiting for.

"All units, target sighted, attack at will." After saying this he trained his reticle on the flying powerarmor and let lose a volly from the rotary ac/5 on his Cauldron Born's left arm.

[Dante]

Danae grinned exultantly as she descended beside the mushroom cloud. The alien voice in the back of her head faded somewhat as she pondered the carnage...

... Only to see a red motorbike, fleeing down the hillside the factoy area was located on.

"FUUUUUCK!!! Damn you to HELL, Venedict!"

She squeezed the linear cannon's trigger again, but was replied to with a brief message indicating that it would need fifteen seconds to recharge. his was followed up by an incoming fire indication, which she compensated for by braking sharply to throw off the AC rounds and deploying chaff.

"You son of a bitch!" she shouted over the broadcast speakers. "I'll get you for this! Yang! Piotr! Wedge formation, now! And launch the EM pulse shells!"

Just then, a transmission came in.

"Danae, our teams are in position. Shall we proceed?"

"Yes! Kill the fuckers shooting at me! I don't want him to have anywhere to run in the city!"

Then realizing that the broadcast speakers were still on, she hurriedly willed them off and cursed again, this time within the confines of her battlesuit.

Damn...

Then she engaged the jump jets before touchign the ground and soared through the air again.

******

Virgil grunted as the shockwave hit him on the upper back. Thankfully he was already going down the hill as the blast hit, otherwise the full force would have thrown him through the air and to a messy death. He hunkered down and accelerated even more.

Fucking hell... I didn't know IS tech was that advanced... apparently they made a lot of changes while I was gone...

Then he heard Danae's ranting, and it snapped him out of his reverie.

I have to warn them.

He spoke rapidly into the 'link.

Ryan! RYAN! I'm still alive! The shooting's started and I can't guarantee your safety! Meet me at... " - here he paused to think, and to perform a hairpin turn down a covered alley - " ... Rasalhague Avenue 8! I can at least get you guys some armor and some way to defend yourselves. Move it, Ryan! She's got agents in the city already!"

[GatoFiero]

"This is Mortamer, i have SRM lock on one of the target's lance mates, firing!"

"Elemental star one in position, when the round the block we will attack."

Vince blocked out the other chatter on the com and focused on killing the lead, he thumbed the secondary weapon group and ER Large Lasers lanced out toward the flying powerarmor.

[LilWhiteMage]

She coughed a couple of times from the dust, and once the wind settled back down for a moment, she opened her eyes, still looking worried in the direction of the disapating cloud.

From behind her she could hear the shopkeeper from earlier cursing the explosion, this one having apparently knocked a few things off the shelves.

She paid no attention to him, instead dusted herself off a bit.

Please...

"Hey you! You were the girl that was in here earlier! You and your two friends!"

"Hn?" She turned around, finding the shopkeep heading towards her. "Damnit.."

"You cannot fool me this time. I know that the lot of you are not from around here." Before she knew it, he had reached into his shirt and pulled out a gun, firing at her.

"Christ!" She dived back into the alley, reaching into her jacket and pulling one of the guns out. "I swear to God... There's no such thing as a low profile here is there?!"

Leaning against the corner, she peeked her head just slightly around to see, pulling back just in time to be able to have chips of the corner to hit her in the face.

"Ryan, we've got a slight problem. Seems the man from the shop is kinda on to us."

[Dante]

Yang noted with dispassion the sensor lock, and he raised his right arm's multi-launcher unit.

Goldeneye ready. the Ghostalker's AI said.

"Fire."

A trio of shells flew forth amid a fiery plume of smoke and travelling at thrice the speed of sound, they arced between the mech group and and his lance. On command they exploded... scattering sensor-jamming dust all over the radius of a hundred meters, rendering both sides sensor-invisible to each other. Danae landed and motioned to Yang and Piotr to.

"We continue on foot. Engage thermoptic camo and lay low."

Damn you Virgil... damn you for bringing in reinforcements...

******

Meanwhile, Miki's team was concealed inside a building overlooking Elemental star one. Her counterparts, Gwynn and company, were poised to strike at the second star.

"Execute on my mark... Three, two, one, mark!"

As one, the black-armored figures opened fire with their antimech grenades and missiles. Half of Star One was wiped out with depleted uranium long-rod warhead penetrating their power packs, causing reactor overloads, while the others were incapacitated by the neutron grenades, then pulled out of their power suits and killed like dogs in the street. The confrontation had taken barely fifteen seconds, and Miki was already receiving success reports from Gwynn's team.

"Captured four suits, destroyed one. No losses."

"You did better than me, Gwynn... I only captured three, but with no losses as well. In any case, man those suits with the Elemental specialists. The rest of you, prepare the electron mines and retreat. "

One reinforced Star... better than nothing, Miki thought as she suited up. The Elemental still stank from its previous occupant, and she grimaced while she powered up the hydraulics and APU.

Thankfully, the mech above them was too busy looking towards Danae's team to notice the sudden mutiny.

[LilWhiteMage]

Come on Steph, pull yourself together.

She drew in a deep breath, and before either of the men could think to stop her, she ran back out into the street, her gun drawn and aimed at the Clanner shopkeeper.

He was a bit startled that the girl had jumped back into the street, but quickly got over his shock and began to fire at her repeatedly.

She fired back a couple of well-aimed rounds, knocking the man onto the ground as she ducked into the alleyway on the opposite side of the street. She whinced as she slammed her shoulder into the wall, but it wasn't until she pulled away slightly that she realized it was bleeding, the wound seeming to come from a bullet graze.

Damnit to hell that hurts...

She glanced back out into the street, seeing the man still laid out on the ground, still breathing heavily, but at least now he wasn't shooting at her anymore.

Putting the gun away, she looked to the men opposite of her. "Let's get back to looking for Virgil before something else happens! Any other word from him Ryan?"

[GatoFiero]

"Savashri (clan epithet), Mortamer respond..*static*, damn, must be some jamming materiel in those rockets."

Vince turned his mech so that the laser communication system would face Mortamer's Shadowcat. Then he engaged the laser com. system.

"Mortamer, find the contact the twins and tell them to meet up outside the city at nav. gamma. With this shit jamming our sensors we make awful large targets. We will let the jamming dust dissipate or they will meet us on the open field, either way is good for me, quiaff?"

"Aff! Should i inform the elementals?"

"They are not stupid, they will pull out just the same."

As the shadowcat left the scene to round up the Cougars Vince took his mech out of the city. With one last look into the town he thought, this is not over, you are my kill!

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

Tenjin heard an enormous explosion followed by the sounds of combat wow things are really going to hell out there but it is probably a hell of a lot better then being shot in the face by Nova Cats. He turns to Gerek "it seems the people outside are having a little disagreement. Should we have to fight you will probably see some things from me you will not be totally able to understand but keep in mind I am on your side all the way" Tenjin adjusts his tie before indicating to the doors in from of him "shall we speak with the person in charge?"

[Tor]

-Ok mate... but got to go now sam shit coming up

Ryan jumped behind a dumpster and dre both of his machineguns

-Eat shit bitch

Ryan started to fire against the woman who was after Steph while trying to avoid firing on the kid

-We got to get out of here, he yelled towards Steph

Then he saw that Stephanie was wounded, but atleast the gun fire had stopped

-Yeah, I got an address Rasalhague Avenue 8, lets go, and yes it IS kind of hard isn't it

[Mr. Viewtiful]

Dang, EVERYBODY has guns around here. Scott though, hiding behind an alley wall. Footsteps were approaching him quickly. THINK, man! You have no guns, but... Scott reached in his pocket, thinking Empty! footsteps were getting closer. Scott looked to his left and saw an old, rusted lead pipe. [/I]Well, that will work.

He picked up the pipe, and as a clanner rounded the corner sprinting, Scott quickly popped up and with a powerful backhanded swing helped him meet his new friend. The poor guy was wondering what hit him as he slumped to the ground.

That worked better than I thought. Now, I'll just take those guns from him...

Scott looked up and saw those two guys running away with his comlink. He quickly put both of the man's pistols in his pockets, and tore after them, trying his best not to get shot.

I guess this is just one of those days...

[LilWhiteMage]

Seeing Ryan take off running, she followed after him, not giving much mind to Scott following as well. After all, they DID still have his comlink. And he had been able to at least knocked out another clanner that had emerged when the explosion and gunfire bursted.

"Yeah, I got an address Rasalhague Avenue 8, lets go, and yes it IS kind of hard isn't it."

Her heart skipped a beat as she tried to keep up with him.

He's still alive... Thank you..

"I think I might have an idea as to where that's at... Remember when we first came into the city? There was an Avenue 8."

And that's in the direction that that large explosion came from.

She frowned, putting her hand onto her left shoulder for a moment and whincing again. "Did he happen to mention what in the HELL is going on?"

Her hand came back up to her face for a second, showing her the blood that had gathered onto it from the wound. It wasn't too bad of a shot, at least she thought so, but it would have to be bandaged sooner or later.

He's going to scold me for getting myself hurt. Oh well, at least it's nothing serious.

That was the least of her worries though.

[Dante]

"Danae, what's your status? I saw you being clipped by that mech's lasers."

"Lost the long-range targeting radar and the linear cannon. But since the radar was meant for the cannon it doesn't really matter. Not that it would have helped in a slugging match with a 'mech. Yang, how are you on launcher ammo?"

"Nine more EM shells, 12 more VIRRS, 12 more plasma. I can lay a few more smokescreens."

"Good. Piotr, help me check for Virgil. My LR scanner's slightly damaged."

"Roger." So saying, Piotr activated the passive scan, and picked up the heat signature of Virgil's bike over 2 km ahead of them.

"He's over 2 kliks away. We won't be able to catch up without jump jets, but using jets will break cloak."

"Never mind, then. Miki, report."

"We have seven Elementals under our command. There are four mechs, and they're pulling out, apparently headed out of the city after you. We have set the electron mines, though."

"Good. Play along - only attack on my command or if you're found out. Keep me posted. Yang! Piotr! Drop cloak - we're shifting into high gear!"

The three jump suits shimmered into existence as they leapt through the air in huge, graceful arcs, the landing between each jump punctuated by a loud crump as the roads gave way under the weight of the jump suits.

******

Virgil heard thumps behind him again, and when he looked back he saw a trio of Ghostalkers after him.

Damn! They must have reinforcements... Don't let their teams in the city get to them first... don't let them...

As he raced towards the city, the sounds from the back grew louder and louder.

[LilWhiteMage]

What she saw up ahead made her want to just choke on her on heart as it jumped up into her throat.

Mechs... at least seven or eight, scattered lowly over the area, directly in their path.

Stephanie came to a stop, both Ryan and Scott stopping as well and staring at the group that blocked their progress.

"Well, have to find another way around... if there is one." She whispered softly as she tried to ease away, hoping their arrival hadn't been great enough for the group of Elementals to have noticed.

[GatoFiero]

[OOC] yearg! I'm having writer's block right now. I gotta go christmas shoping right now, so i'll post later today. By then i sould have something thought up [OOC]

[Tor]

-There a car hurry, he shouted towards Steph trying to be heard over all the rumbling coming from the mecs

He dragged Steph into the car and started to hotwiring it hoping the mecs would not notice what he did

-Come on you piece of crap... There yeah

The car came to life with a greate roar, and they went straight towards teh new kid

-Yo come in, can't let you die here

He kicked up the door and dragged him inside the car and they drove as fast as the old car could go

[GatoFiero]

[OOC] I'm more or less done controlling the mechs unless Dante presses them into a straight fight. But i'm assuming that he's gonna use the elementals to take 'em down if he wants to. O'course, the mech pilots will self destruct before they abandon their mechs.[OOC]

The group was ushered into an extravagant, well lit room. The west wall of the room was taken up by a large window facing the city. Pillars of smoke rose from the city, and a Caldron Born could be seen making it’s way out of the city, while a Shadow Cat was converging on a pair of Cougars. The room itself appeared to be a casual meeting area, cushy sofas and armchairs doted the room and the air was of an overall sophistication.

A woman was standing in the middle of the room to greet them, she appeared to be in her late 20s to early 30s. With a cascade of raven black hair ran down to her mid-back and piercing jade colored eyes, one could see that her genetic heritage leaned toward Combine (Japanese) decent. “Ah, Gerek, it is a very pleasant surprise to meet you here. Last I was informed, you were heading back the Wolf capital world to complete an important mission. It delights me that you take the promise between our two clans so seriously. Ah, but where are my manners, come, sit. We have much to discus,” Minori paused for a second, examining tenjin, latimov and Isis, “including who these individuals are, for I doubt that you would take anyone as a bondsmen, let alone a Shadowwraith.”

“Hello again Minori,” said Gerek with near audible nervousness, “I thought I would just drop in and see how things were going.”

The group seated themselfs around the room, but still within easy conversation distance. Gerek then introduced everyone to Minori and vice versa. “Everyone, this is Lormaster Minori Kurita,. She is also a ranger for clan Nova Cat and she and I have worked together on a few joint operations. She is also, uh, my uh...fiancee.“

Seeing the confused look on Latimov’s and Tenjin’s face, Isis decided to explain, “It’s clan custom to only give direct genetic data when they are defeated by another clan, or as a show of subservience. Thus, some clans developed the tradition of strengthening inter-clan ties by betrothing their best clan members with the best members of other clans, thus exchanging genetic data without weakening their political position.”

Minori, ignoring Isis, “So Gerek, care to explain to me why you are here? I doubt it is because you knew I was here. So talk now, or I will turn you and your colleagues over to Jade Falcon.”

And so Gerek explained the situation to Minori, with help from Isis and Tenjin. When they got to the part about the car exploding Minori glared at Latimov. When they finished the story Minori replied, “Well, that is quite the tail, and I suppose I should help you out. I will send some soldiers out right now to search for the alien and this freebirth named Stephanie. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other duties to attend too. For now you will have quarters assigned to you, and free run of the embassy.” Minori got up and moved to the door, “Oh, and another thing, I will want to speak with you later Gerek.” And with that she left the room and another guard entered to show them to their quarters.

Their quarters were one of the larger multi-section guest rooms, which could accommodate the quartet and more.

“Well, that was unexpected, what are we going to do now?” Said Isis.

[OOC] In other news, where is Neverwhere? [OOC]

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

As Tenjin was wandering into the room he could barely hold back his laughter. Gerek looked at him "what the hell is so funny?!" Tenjin laughs a bit. As soon as the doors close behind them he bursts out laughing " YOU ARE SO SCREWED!! How long have you been avoiding her?"
Tenjin gets something to drink "I hope it has not been too long because otherwise your up shit creek without a paddle. Anyway I have some Comlink calls to make so if anyone wants me I will be in the foyer" Tenjin wanders into the foyer and opens his comlink. "Hikiro? This is Tenjin I need a status report on 'project 828' what is your progress?" a man wearing a CSW stealth suit answers "Long time no see Master Tenjin! 'project 828' is nearing completion. We need only iron out a few bugs in her systems and we are finished" Tenjin nods "ok about how long will that take?" the man shrugs "I am estimating 1-2 hours providing we do not hit any major software problems, In truth however I do not think that will happen" Tenjin smiles "Good, Hikiro. Your team will be rewarded accordingly, Alpha Wraith out" Tenjin wanders back into the quarters "All done. Now we wait"

[LilWhiteMage]

Stephanie let out a yelp as she was suddenly jerked from behind, finding herself on the inside of an older vehicle. She adjusted herself in the seat, watching Ryan.

"I'm not sure this thing is going to do much of a job of outrunning those things if they spot us."

And I'm pretty sure they have more than likely.

He finally wired up the car, driving up beside Scott and pulling him in as well. As he got settled in in the back of the car, Stephanie took off her jacket, to start trying to tend to her wound. "I'm sorry we've dragged you into all of this too. The last thing I would have wanted to do was have another innocent person pulled into all this."

She turned back around in her seat, tearing the sleeve of her shirt off while attempting to stay balanced as Ryan swerved through the streets. Wrapping the piece of cloth around her shoulder, she grabbed one end with her teeth and held onto it as she tied the cloth tightly around her cut. It was rather crude, but it would have to do for now.

Having put the makeshift bandage onto her shoulder, Steph grabbed her jacket, pulling out the gun she had used a short while ago, replacing the bullets that she had used. She returned the gun, putting the jacket back on.

[Tor]

Going through the streets and alleys with the old car, he turned around looking for the mecs

-Aw fuck, they are closing in on us... but lets see if they can follow this, bucke up

Ryan grabbed the brake and did a 180 turn and went past the mechs, then he started to drive towards what they thought was the street they where going to meet Virgil

[OOC]
Yes where is Newerwhere

[Dante]

OOC: Probably partying after the finals. Who knows how many chicks he's with now... "Don't worry girls, there's more than enough Neverwhere for everyone..."

Danae's star had chased Virgil into the city. She smiled as the reticle aligned with the speeding bike.

I have you now.

The autocannon spat fire and the ground replied in kind as the explosive 35mm rounds tore up the neocrete pavement in Virgil's wake. Pedestrians before, behind and to all sides of Virgil's bike scattered and ran, while Virgil executed a quick wheelie and bounced himself into the air off a park bench just as it was shredded by Danae's gunfire.

"Frackers! Stay still and die, you insect!" On her next ascent, she took to the sky and landed on a nearby roof, then pinged Piotr.

"Piotr. You have the rocket pods. Give me a saturation pattern in front of him. My arm weapons can't track him fast enough."

There was some hesitation before Piotr responded.

"But Danae, there are civillians -"

"Fuck them, just fire the damn rockets!"

Has it come down to this? Have I truly lost all honor? Would I destroy helpless lessers, even on orders?

"No. I cannot. I will not. I cannot comply with that order, Danae."

Danae fumed inwardly. She had half a mind to turn the laser on Piotr and teach him how to listen to instructions....

... but doing that will turn everyone against me.

And before she could say anything else, Virgil hurled a cylindrical object at them.

"Move! That's EMP!" Yang shouted over the intercom.

The three Ghostalkers broke formation like planes doing an Immelmann, and as the grenade burst, Virgil took a quick turn down a side lane and faded from sight.

"DAMN! Piotr! We'll settle this later! Find him!"

******

While the Ghostalkers flew over his hiding place, Virgil quickly ditched the bike and checked his minimap. Rasalhague Square. Good. He was close.

He fished out his comlink and called Ryan again as he started off into a run.

"Ryan, are you there yet?"

[Tor]

"Ryan, are you there yet?" Virgils voice sparkled through the com-link

_Well we are heading towards a 8th avenue, but if it the right one we don't know, and were trying to loose some mechs here too

He did a hard right and floored the old car turning around teh mechs where gone

-Ok we lost them now and we'll be there in five...

[LilWhiteMage]

Before Stephanie could even find a seatbelt, Ryan started whipping around the car wildly in an attempt to lose the mechs that were behind them. "Kyaaa! I'm gonna die!"

She turned around in the seat, grabbing a hold of the headrest and holding on for dear life. "And I thought it was supposed to be us women who were the bad drivers..."

[Mr. Viewtiful]

"AAAHHH!!!"

As the car whipped around, Scott started to fall out. He grabbed the door, and hung on. If they weren't going so fast, his feet would probably be dragging on the street.

Well, at least we lost those mechs...now, time to get back in the car.

Gritting his teeth, Scott managed to pull himself in.

"Dang, man, I wish I could drive like that!" Scott exclaimed.

"Thanks." the man driving the car said, not even paying attention to the fact that he almost lost a passenger.

Here's a profile I wrote up for Scott here (http://www.angelfire.com/comics/burningmagnus/images/Viewtiful_Profile.JPG) if you want to check it out :)

[LilWhiteMage]

As the car finally settled a bit and they were now going into a straight shot towards the place where they were to meet Virgil, she continued to face the back of the car, having noticed Scott barely keeping himself inside the car.

"I probably owe you a really big explaination for this Mr. Viewtiful, but now really isn't the time... I promise though, I will explain what's going on once we're not in danger anymore."

[Mr. Viewtiful]

Scott flashed his pearly whites in a grin once again, saying "Yeah, well I guess I owe an explanation for tagging along, too."

He looked past the driver and passenger and pointed at a man zooming towards the car. "Hey, is that this Virgil character you guys were talking about?"

[LilWhiteMage]

She quickly turned around, but whoever Scott had been pointing to was already gone. "I don't know..."

But I'd like to hope it was. Hopefully we're heading the right way.

[Dante]

The sign read "Rasalhague Avenue". The plaque on the building bore a number 8.

Perfect.

Virgil ran up to the door of the building and tried the handle. It was locked.

What? She's gone, isn't she? It should be op-

The knob turned with an audible click, cutting off Virgil's train of thought, and a battered, bandaged man opened the door.

"V...Virgil?"

Virgil looked at the man up and down before pushing him in and closing the door behind him.

"You look a mess, Kai. What the hell happened?"

"Danae. She came. Took Rath. Thought I was dead, but when I came to nobody was around. Tried to contact you, but the bitch shot everything up amd killed the power. "

That bloody woman... "How long ago was this?"

"Ab...bout a week. Survived on rations. Please. It hurts to talk."

The bedraggled Kai took a small sip of water from a nearby bottle and motioned Virgil over to a sofa that had been mostly cleared of debris. Virgil declined to sit, choosing instead to push the sofa aside. He rolled away the carpet and started feeling around on the ground, and he followed up by applying pressure to several spots. There was another loud click and a section of the parquet flooring sprang up. Virgil levered it open completely, kicked the door shut, and descended into the secret chamber within. Kai, curious stuck his head in.

Within the chamber were weapons. Lots of them. Most were stolen Clan technology, but some were Inner Sphere, and a few more of unidentifiable origin.

"H..how come she nev-"

Not looking up from the rack he was unlocking, Virgil replied, "It's a secret chamber for a good reason. And besides, you didn't need to know. Catch."

He tossed a squat laser rifle up at Kai, who barely caught it with both hands. Virgil came up, a long metal tube in hand. The backpack fusion generator under his coat gave him the look of a hunchback, and the wires running from it connected to the tube.

"M72 PPIG. It can breach an MBT's flank armor from 1 click away, though I intend to use it at much closer ranges."

He slung the weapon, tucked the sling under his coat, then began cramming grenades into the little pouches all over his coat.

"All we can do now is wait..."

[LilWhiteMage]

As she faced forward in her seat, Stephanie kept an open eye on each sign they passed. After some time she still hadn't seen anything about a Rasalhague Avenue, or Avenue 8, nothing at all.

"That's it..."

She reached over and grabbed the comlink that was sitting in the middle of her and Ryan. She pressed the dial button, and put the piece up to her ear.

I'd hate to admit it, but I think we're lost... At least maybe he could direct us there from... wherever we are.

She glanced about the outside of the car. Just a bunch of old rundown warehouses. Maybe he would be able to determine where they were, if only he'd just pick up his com now.

[GatoFiero]

[OOC] PPIG? I've heard of PPG, PPC, PLC, PPL, MDPL and PL, but i have never heard of PPIG. Is it just there or does it stand for something? I'm only asking this cause i'm a big sci-fi fanatic and i'm curious[OOC]

[Dante]

[OOC] PPIG? I've heard of PPG, PPC, PLC, PPL, MDPL and PL, but i have never heard of PPIG. Is it just there or does it stand for something? I'm only asking this cause i'm a big sci-fi fanatic and i'm curious[OOC]

I stole this from the Aliens Sourcebook... PPIG is short for Phased Plasma Infantry Gun, IE an energy bazooka. Used by Colonial Marines as an anti-tank weapon, also known as "pig". Quote from Pig operator:

"Say hello to my friend Mr. Pig. He's slow, he's heavy, and he's a bitch to carry, but he'll blow a hole in you big enough to drive an APC through. So play nice with Mr. pig, or he'll come gunnin' for your ass. Oink oink."

[Dante]

Virgil's comlink rang, and he picked it up.

"Hello? Is that Ryan?"

[LilWhiteMage]

I just suddenly have this picture of Pumbaa from the Lion King... o_o

"They call me.. MR. PIG!!! EEARRRGH!!!"

>_>;


Stephanie could feel the grin spread across her face, a warm feeling filling her as she heard him answer.

"No, it's me. Thank goodness you're okay.. I was so worried... "

She quickly stopped herself from just rambling on and after a slight pause got herself back on track.

"I was just calling because I..."

..because I wanted to hear your voice and know for myself you were okay...

"Because.. " She almost practically had to force herself to say it. "I'm afraid we might be lost. We've been traveling for a few minutes now, and haven't seen anything about the place you told us to go." After another brief pause, she continued. "There's a lot of old warehouses where we're at right now... Any idea where we might be and the quickest way to get to the rendevous point?"

[Dante]

OOC: When he was a young warthog...
When I was a young warthooooooooooog!!!!!

"No, it's me. Thank goodness you're okay.. I was so worried... "

Virgil smiled. It was the first time in so long that somebody had cared. He listened to the rest, noting the comment about the old warehouses. Perhaps...

"You didn't go up a hill... sounds like you're in the dock district... that means an overshoot by quite a long distance. You'll have to turn back and look for Rasalhague Square. It's somewhere near the Nova Cat Embassy, and it looks exactly like what it sounds like. There should be a statue of Aleksandr kerensky on a horse in the middle of the square, so you can't miss it. I'll keep the line open. I take it Ryan is driving?"

******

"We've lost him, Danae." Yang said flatly.

"Fucking HELL! Piotr, what the fuck did you think you were doing back there? We could have finished it off there and then!"

"I did not want to attack innocents without a good reason. I could not. It is my-"

"Well, now we'll have to chase him down again. He came to the warehouse because he needed better weapons. We headed him off, so now he's going for an alternate cache. If he has more jump suits, the damage we'll cause trying to take him out is going to be more than the aftereffects of a single rocket volley!"

"B-but..."

"He's a professional too, and he's been trained for ruthlessness. He'll throw anything at us to get a shot or deny us one!"

Just like you, Danae, Piotr thought. Just like you.

Danae's comlink chirped and Miki's soft voice came in.

"Danae, the mechs are moving out of the city. Shall we...?"

"Yes. We'll draw their fire - you destroy them. And be careful! Those fusion engines have an incredible blast radius."

"We won't have to. We're in Elemental suits, remember? We can do cockpit shots better than other mechs can."

Danae smiled. She liked people who used their heads.

"Good. Tell me when you're ready."

[LilWhiteMage]

"What do you expect me to do? Dress in drag and do the hula?"


"Uhm... Yeah, I think we did. We got a bit busy trying to avoid some mechs and might have gotten turned around."

She pulled the com away just long enough for her to tell Ryan to get turned around and head back in the other direction.

"And yeah, Ryan's driving." She replied as she returned the link to its normal position. "We also kinda picked up a.. eh.. friend, you could say. It's his comlink we're using right now." She glanced back at Scott.

"We had run into a bit of trouble when we found him and borrowed his link. I uhm... kinda got hurt. Nothing serious though."

She sighed faintly.

"I was more worried about you. When I saw that big explosion, I thought..."

[Dante]

OOC: "He found his aroma had a certain appeal/he could clear the savannah after every meal..."

BIC:

"I was more worried about you. When I saw that big explosion, I thought..."

"Don't worry babe, only the good die young... People like me, we'll be around forever. Listen, Steph, I think it's time you knew the truth"

"Actually... I used to be a Inner Sphere agent. I was from the Gilgamesh Division, essentially a super-soldier program aimed at producing troops that would outperform Clan truebirths. I was trained to kill, maim and destroy since the age of four, and it was only because of someone very close to me that I managed to break away from them."

"Now, however, a woman called Danae is after me. Danae is - was from Gilgamesh, just like me, but she's better at what she does. I was the prototype for all their experiments. She... she was their magnum opus. When I left the Inner Sphere, they programmed her to kill me and everyone I might have told about Gilgamesh. However, they didn't word it carefully enough, and she killed her creators before going after me. "

He took a deep breath. This is it, he thought.

"The reason I'm telling you this is because Danae is sadistic, intelligent and dangerous... and because of that I lost someone very important to me. The reason I'm telling you that is because..."

There was a lump in his throat. He felt his face getting hotter.

"...It's because you remind me of her. I didn't want to get you involved in this, so I tried to lose you when we got on the planet. But when you've lost everything, when you have nowhere to go... All you have are memories... and I guess I couldn't let the memory of her go."

He smiled, and wiped away an errant tear that had crept down his cheek.

"I'm sorry. I've said too much. Are you at the plaza yet?"

[LilWhiteMage]

"Listen, Steph, I think it's time you knew the truth"

"The truth..?" She whispered to herself.

She hardly could believe all that he was telling her. She had once heard a small rumor about a place that was working on a 'super' human so to speak, but she had just passed it off as being nothing more than a hoax. After all, nothing could compare to the Clanners.

"Danae..." She shuddered a bit at the way he spoke of her and how horrible she was. How could he have possibly been like that? There was no way...

Stephanie grew very silent as he went on to tell her why he had left her behind.

He was worried... worried that this Danae might find me and...

She cringed at the thought. She didn't even want to begin to imagine what this woman was capable of doing to her if all that he was telling her was the truth.

She was almost afraid to go to him now. Afraid that the one who was after him would find her...

Her mind was made up though. She had to go to him; to be with him. Ryan was right earlier. She couldn't just bottle up and hide everything from Virgil.

"Are you at the plaza yet?"

There was a minute or two of silence as she just sat there in thought. Finally she snapped out of it and leaned forward, brushing aside her hair as she looked through the windshield. "Not yet, but I think I see where it is up ahead. There's a really big statue right?"

[Tenjin Matsukaru]

OOC: Gato post already man! Im getting bored. So much so that I've been doing Card Avatars for other people!

[Dante]

OOC: Doesn't Gato have finals too?

There was silence for a while, and Virgil began to think that he had blown it, that he had really scared her away.

"I think I see where it is up ahead. There's a really big statue right?"

"Yeah. Turn right from there and look for Rasalhague Avenue. It should be on the same side of the road as the Nova Cat Embassy. Drive slowly - take your time."

[LilWhiteMage]

I think he said he did, but with the fact that finals aren't done on Saturdays (at least to MY knowledge ^^; ) he and all the other finals students should be coming back here soonlike.


"Right.." Stephanie gave a nod, continuing to keep the comlink on as she turned to Ryan.

"Okay, we'll need to slow down now and once we get up to the statue make a right. Keep a look out for Rasalhague Avenue. Just drive slow..." She said it twice to make it doubly clear that they didn't need to drive fast through here, most likely to avoid being seen as a threat considering they were going to be going right passed the Nova Cat Embassy.

Her attention returned to the comlink again. Once again she was silent, unsure of what to say.

Tell him how you feel.

She shook her head.

I can't.. not right now anyways.

She argued with herself for a few minutes before finally speaking, her voice a bit shaky from nervousness.

"Virgil, I... just want you to know..." She stopped herself again.

Wait until you're there with him.

"... I'll be there soon. If you want, I can go ahead and let you go. I think we can make it from here and..." She tried to keep a professional type sound in her voice, though he could have still heard the trembling in it anyway. "..we wouldn't want anyone tracking our signals. I don't want to end up leading her right to you."

[Dante]

"I... understand. I'll leave a broken bottle outside the place. Good luck."

Virgil clicked the comlink off, and silently wondered what he was getting himself into.

I can't hide them... So the next best thing is to protect them... She would have raised too many eyebrows trying to find me. Then the shit would really have hit the fan.

Virgil grabbed a half-empty bottle of tequila that had been lying on the counter. He sniffed it, wrinkled his nsoe, then downed it anyway. Then, he staggered out to the door and smashed it on the sidewalk, in plain view of the road. Then, still pretending drunkenness, he lolled back in and collapsed into a sofa.

Stephanie... Please be alright...

[LilWhiteMage]

Stephanie still held the comlink to her ear, even after hearing the click as Virgil had turned his off. Her hand finally slumped down, tossing the comlink back between herself and Ryan.

Her eyes shut, and for a moment she looked like she was just going to break down right there.

Instead, she turned in her seat so that she'd be able to see both Ryan and Scott. "Alright." Stephanie started again with that tone to insure that they would believe that she wasn't worried about a thing.

"Once we make this turn, we are specifically going to be looking for a bottle." She got a couple of odd looks. "There will be a broken bottle out in front of where Virgil is at right now. I want us to park a street or two down, and from there make our way back to where he's at."

She didn't want to try to explain to them that besides the Clanners they might have to deal with, there was also some psychotic bitch that was out to kill Virgil and anyone affiliated with him.

He told me about Gilgamesh... does that mean she'll.. kill me too? No way... she wouldn't have known that we've been talking.

[GatoFiero]

[OOC]study study study[OOC]

Tenjin re-enters the room after taking on his comlink. "Well, it is not like i am trying to avoid her. It is just the fact that i am still in the rangers and she is not."

Isis grinned evilly, "Oh yea? Then how do you explain away the fact that you could have become a loremaster by now too?" Isis looks at Tenjin, "He has been putting off that transfer of duty for about a year now." Turns back to Gerek, "But she has you now. Remember how she said we have free run of the embassy?"

Gerek glared at Isis, Of course, i know what she means by that. That's why i am going out the front window." Gerek points toward a window overlooking Rasalhague Square. "Anyone want to come with?"

[Mr. Viewtiful]

Scott looked at the depressed woman in the front seat. "You seem depressed." He but on a grim face. "I'll tell you a tale that might help you out. It is all I can remember, and is what happened to me for the past few days.

“I awoke a few days ago in an alley. A little girl was there, asking me my name and offering me a piece of bread. I said my name was Scott, but that's all I remember. She smiled, told me her name was Maria, and led me to her little shack. As it turns out, she was a stranded, orphaned child, and was happy to have company.

“I asked several questions, like what this place was, and why I was here, but being an innocent child, she could only tell me this was a clanner home world, and was surprised I didn't know. I told her I have no memories, no past. She didn't understand. I'm surprised myself that I know all these objects, but can't name faces, like that we’re in a car, but I don’t know who you are. She gave me that comlink” Scott pointed at the little gadget on the dashboard. “I don’t know how she managed to get it, though…

"As we were talking, a man with a gun busted into the shack, grabbed the Maria, and put his pistol to her head. ‘Give up, I found you.’ the man said with a wicked grin. ‘Once I turn you in, I'll get that promotion I need!’

“'Who are you? Why are you going to hurt her?’ I said, surprised at this intruder. He only replied "Come with me, or I'll kill her," still with that wicked grin.

"’Why? How can I trust you?’ I exclaimed.

"’Too late. Heh heh...’ A bullet shot rang through the shed.

“He shot her right in the head. The poor girl, she had her whole life ahead of her...

“I could feel rage building inside me, like an eternal flame that has existed long before I came to consciousness. I gritted my teeth, and yelled ‘Why did you do that!? She's only an innocent girl!’ He was apparently scared. I could see my reflection in his glasses, with a hue of flame burning around me. ‘WHY!?’

“I ran up before he could respond, grabbed him and threw him into the opposite wall of the alley, outside the shed. It started to rain. I could hear the rolling thunder, and see the lightning in the distance.

“I grabbed him by his neck. ‘WHY!?’

“‘I-it was only or-orders! I had to!’ he stammered. I threw him into a dumpster, badly denting it. ‘I'll find out why you want me. I'll find out why I'm important enough to kill a girl over.’ I noticed a ‘clan logo’ tattooed on his arm underneath his ripped jacket. ‘I'm going to make your organization's life miserable.’

“I took his pistol and knocked him out. I dropped the gun and started to run, tears slowly filling my eyes. He killed her, I thought, only because he was under orders? What kind of place is this? While I was deep in thought, still running, I tripped over some garbage and hit my head on another dumpster. All went black.

“When I woke up, I found myself in the same alley by that store. I quietly swore to myself then: "I'll never be like those people. I will not kill. I will not be a coward.’ I clenched my fist. “I won’t let another innocent die again! I owe it to that girl to do so…

“I then went into the store to see what I could find, as I was still hungry. I guess I chose the wrong store, seeing that it had electronics, not food. That’s when I saw you talking to the cashier, and I was hoping I could brighten up your day.” Scott shrugged. “I guess I only brought more trouble.

"Take some solace in knowing you have a past, because mine doesn't even exist...”

Maria...

[LilWhiteMage]

Stephanie almost wanted to cry as he told his story. It was so terrible... him not knowing where he was, and the one person that he did know and care about was killed right in front of him.

She picked up the comlink, handing it back to him. "This is yours." If she had known in the first place the sentimental value it had, she would have probably just turned down his offer and searched for another somewhere else.

"And.. you haven't been any trouble to us. You did us a great favor by allowing us to borrow your comlink... Even if Ryan did kind of knock you out to get it. The trouble we're in, well, we pretty much caused it ourselves."

"You see, me and Ryan both used to work for our government. I was, I guess you could call me a spy. But the mission I was on went completely wrong, and now just about everyone wants me dead for one reason or another. Ryan had similar circumstances."

She stopped long enough to glance around outside, being on the lookout for the broken bottle.

"Our only chance to survive all of this now is in the hands of the people that we're traveling with... Virgil being one of them."

Even so, I'm still afraid of what might happen if the person who's after Virgil finds out about us...

[LilWhiteMage]

[OOC]
Warning post that we've hit the 100 post limit! Anyone want to take the responsibility to make the next thread? If so, just say here and then go ahead and start the new one up.

[Tor]

[ooc]I'll make it now