[Shaman_Yuri]

By the time we arrive, it doesn't seem like there's anything I can do to help rescue anyone else from the burning building.  Timbers are starting to crack and the wooden edifice is clearly won't fend off gravity much longer.  Instead, I slip over to Strawberry hand in hand with Gi.  "What can the two of us do?" I ask her when it looks like she is free to respond.

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos nods at his mistress.  "I will tell her, Dona Valentina.  Do you have other instructions for me?"

[All4BigGuns]

Balls says "I am not exactly sure where he is right now - but Strawberry was looking for him few days ago. He is under her protection, easy on the eyes but completely insane mage. Careful how much you drink around her - she got the voice that would boil your blood. If she does not have him than the Vampire at the military base must have. You should visit that base it is a true wonderland."

"Now we're getting somewhere," Vanish says, "Now which military base are you referring to, and where would this 'Strawberry' be found?"

[Jack_Spade]

"I secured Venom, he arrived this morning. Getting him out of the city is not going to be easy but we have him and he is willing to cooperate. This fire was Sovereign,  he was compromised - turned into a mindless puppet.  He went completely banana's, murdered 8 people burned this place down. He even attempted to kill Venom. I have heard rumors of these things but I did not believe it - something is taking control over mages in the city turns them into puppets with magical muscle....

Never mind that - I got a lead about the vampire who took Venom if you would like to collect on these 50k and we could still use your help on getting him on a plane and making sure leaves safely, but I would not move him before that vampire is down - magically skilled and dangerous and who knows how he found Venom to begin with. Drained five of my men without them firing a single bullet. You've seen that work - he is too hot to move right now. "

'Well, hello again. Didn't I mention that I hate intruders in my head?
But at least you did use the right code word: 50.000NY. I don't mind taking care of Grail if you can give me a pointer in his direction.
Which leads me straight to Venom: You say you have him secured. I want to see where he is and an assurance that he won't escape. If that's the case I'll escort him personally and safely into a plane to leave your responsibility. If he escapes again, I'll hunt him down - again. My employer also still needs his confession about all things connected to the AI Red and the vampire Grail.

I also want to see Sovereign. I don't care if he is mad. I need his help to locate a kidnapped associate of mine. His behavior is most likely explained with a nanite infection - RED again. You should pulse him with EMP to alleviate that. If you can't do that give him to me. I know someone who can. Don't worry - I already apprehended him yesterday night on the council island after he escaped custody.

So, what is your answer?'

Kynos thought while he typed a message to Athos: <<I'm at the Joke. Sovereign supposedly burned it down and has been apprehended by the Ginger Elf. I'm in negotiations to have him released. Venom is also here somewhere and so Minnie probably too. I'm trying to secure him too - can you arrange for a small plane, so I can fulfill my contract with Ginger and have him out of here responsibility before I turn my attention to the other contract? Love Kynos>>

[gilga]

Kynos Strawberry say "I do not speak in public, sorry - I do not know who 'Grail' is - I know about a Vampire that tried to kill my ward. About Maxwell - you'll be able to see him once he is delivered to the authorities I have insurance issues - and these people are worse than the knights - they actually investigate. But he killed at least 8 people and caused massive damage.  I know you two are friends so seeing him is out of the question. About questioning him for your other employer this was not part of the deal.

I need him on a public plain to Tokyo arrived safely and verfied to be on the plane - if you are going to follow him to Japan be my guest but he leaves her safely, if you cannot help me with this thing I understand but lets not separate like enemies. If you take the deed you do the job."

[gilga]

@Vanish "Strawberry was living near the Joke but some asshole burned it down few hours ago - no idea where she would go but she never leaves that area. Military base is to the south, you cannot miss it - but it was redecorated you'll see."


@Minnie Strawberry's voice in your mind tells you - "I have an uneasy feeling that people are trying to play me. Gi needs to leave this place safely and it is getting very difficult to protect him. That mage was something  you do not see every day. Very talented and probably twisted by his own mojo. I need to you to make sure that Gi is safe do what ever is necessary it appears that someone has placed such a large bounty on his head that every greedy scum in this city will be after him. The Yakuaza are also very clear about it they need him out of the city as soon as possible - they place a lot of pressure there.'
"

On the surface, she is not even looking at you, she just watches the Joke burns and cries. It is not long before several of her men are urging her to get undercover and say that she might be in danger. She seem really shaken.


The two children tossed by Kynos like a bag of meat seem all too happy now. As if none of this have ever happened and they run happily to play in the small wooded area behind the joke. There is something odd about them.

[Jack_Spade]

'No. You might have a reason to protect murderous scum like Venom, but you will not keep Sovereign. I've just saved two children from your building - I've two lives good. I will collect.'
 
Kynos went to his bike.
<<Athos, Ginger is uncooperative. You might want to suspend your contract with me until I've dealt with this matter - there might be fallout. Love Kynos>>

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos has felt the vibration of his commlink a couple of times, but is not going to interrupt the meal with his boss to answer just yet.  Not for the first time he wishes that he some sort of implant for that, but his body is so full already that more would probably kill him.  He pours another glass of wine for Dona Valentina and waits for her to answer his question.

[All4BigGuns]

@Vanish "Strawberry was living near the Joke but some asshole burned it down few hours ago - no idea where she would go but she never leaves that area. Military base is to the south, you cannot miss it - but it was redecorated you'll see."

"Thanks," Vanish says with a nod, "I'll check those areas out. I'll swing back by another time and buy you a drink." With that he turns and heads back to his car where he plugs 'the Joke' into the on board navigation system for directions.

[Shaman_Yuri]

I let go of Gi's hand briefly to run up to Strawberry and give the much taller woman a hug, wrapping my arms and tail around her in a tight embrace.  I wish I could do more, but for now we each have our duty and mine is to Gi and Athos.  I smile encouragingly up to her, saying not a word.  I then turn run back to Gi and draw him away in the hopes we won't be noticed. Before I can though, all hell breaks loose...

[Jack_Spade]

Very calmly, Kynos began to fill the magazine on the grenade launcher of his Ares Alpha.
"Ginger, this is your last chance. Give me Sovereign."

[gilga]

@Athos Valentina laugh but it is a cold laugh, "You mean Strawberry ? she'll be eating from my palm in no time. She may be powerful but she is emotionally crippled and I know just how to play her buttons. I need you to complete the purchases, then we can establish a power base. When the fog is out our faction will be the strongest in the family. "

[gilga]

@Minnie and Kynos - Minnie embraces Strawberry and Kynos can see his old buddy Venom. He does not carry the over-sized cyber arm but it is him alright. Looking a bit less cartoonish. He helps put down the fire and seems despite anything quite popular with the men. They may mock him - but they are glad he is back, so it seems.

@Kynos Strawberry sends you a chilling thought it is as if you are talking to someone else, someone cold, violent and plain evil. "You can try that if you like! I'd love to see you blow this delicate body to many pieces , kill it please, better be extra effective with it because you are going to discover a nasty side effect of killing in this domain.

I will burn your Maxwell like they burned witches in Salem, he will taste my pain and as he burns but I will not let him die.  I will heal him as fast as the fire burns. I'll leave him on fire and quicken the healing spell so that he suffers until he is as insane as myself. I will watch him burn for years to come until there is nothing left of whom he was. All that remains is anger, vengeance and  terror.  I can make your friend the stuff horror movies are told about. His name will be whispered to children for centuries.  He will be so dark that the Grim brothers could write folk tales about him.

Give me more encouragement - make me watch this delicate body dies violently. Free me of this idiotic silent mask, Maxwell came so close to do it. I just need a little more, perhaps your grenade will be that little extra. I will show you why the Yakuza are terrified of me.

Kill me, kill them all and go ahead and aspect this domain toward violence. It will finally give me the power I need. I hoped Venom would do so, but that fool turned out to be just a poser - but you... you have darkness inside. Free me and I will thank you by making you a mindless puppet drone. I will take away your willpower and suffering and you will finally get the rest you are craving.

KILL MORE, KILL VENOM!!! FREE THE BEAST. PACIFISM IS FOR WEAKLINGS! "

[Jack_Spade]

"Blah, blah. All I heard was you won't kill Sovereign. Cry me a river."

Kynos fired the first Pepperpunch grenade on the Ginger Elf and her lackeys and activated the auto-injector - liquid fire streamed into him and made him grin beneath his helmet. Show Time.


[spoiler]
Free action: Autoinjector Kamikaze
Aim
Shoot Heavy Weapons: 9d6t5 3 [9d6t5=6, 5, 1, 2, 1, 4, 6, 1, 3]
Perfectly on target
11 S defend-able only with Wil+Bod if they aren't wearing chemical protection and respirators/gas masks.
Also nasty side effects: Nausea: Double all wound modifiers
[/spoiler]

[gilga]

@Kynos and Minnie Strawberry continues to run toward the tree, if the pepper punch had any effect it did not drop her and her face are red from tears of deep sorrow and grief she mumbles crazy "Why why did they burn my home again?"  She does not seem to be trying to defend herself in any manner but the speed she is running in is surprisingly fast a speed that typically requires magic or augmentations.

There is quite a fuss in there and many people are angry for the aggression, they pull out their weapons and engage in the combat.  Two of the five Yaks hurt in the blast are down on the floor sophisticating and incapacitated while 3 more seem a bit shaken. Venom dashes toward Minnie and Kynos, in the sky you begin to hear the buzzing sound of rotodrones.