Aberrant: Spirits in Steel - Spirits in Steel

[archer]

Las Vegas, NV:

The mercenary known as Hunter seethed with frustration. Far below, the intended target had managed to disappear again, blending with the never-ending herd of tourists that placidly marched along, oohing and aahing over the glittering casinos and attractions that made up Las Vegas Boulevard, better known as The Strip.

Every time Hunter managed to get close, the nova called Mr Lucky had proven exactly that; ducking surveillance and near-death with ridiculous ease. His bodyguards weren't always so fortunate, however, and their collective last gasps gave the assassin some satisfaction.

Baseline or nova, Hunter slew them where they stood with little difficulty. A trail of bodies followed Lucky across the United States to here. Of course, it all meant nothing if the primary objective kept slipping away.

Turning reluctantly from the view below, Hunter leapt gracefully through the air, crossing the hundreds-feet wide gap between hotel rooftops, and snuck unseen to the waiting helicopter at McCarran International Airport.

In an eerie synthetic-sounding voice, brief instructions sufficed to start the pilot on their journey. Mr. Lucky couldn't stay so forever, and more important assignments had just come in.

----------------------------------

Breathing heavily, Wayne Miner took the emergency stair steps three at a time, finally reaching his destined floor. He paused, catching his breath, and realized he really shouldn't be winded...but fear took precedence over stamina. Swiping the biometric reader with his left hand, he pushed open the door to the penthouse suite. Startled security guards reached for weapons before the saw who it was. The senior officer quickly moved across the room to meet him. He didn't look happy, but as far as the young entrepreneur could remember, the man never did. "Sir. We heard about what happened over the radio. The hotel extends it's apologies, but we're going to have to ask you to move on. Your presence here has already proven itself a danger to our guests."

Nodding wearily, Wayne waved the man away. It wasn't true, of course. No one but his own employees and bodyguards had been touched, but the hotel avoided scandal at all costs. "Fine, fine. I do have an appointment to keep; arrange for my car. My people will take it from here."

As expected, the hotel security still gave him an escort to his car, likely only because they had been ordered by their superiors to make sure he actually left. Wayne was supremely irritated. His considerable influence and wealth normally made sure he was always welcomed with open arms by the local establishments, but he supposed being marked for death by a bloodthirsty invisible killer dampened their enthusiasm.

Sliding into the car's supple leather interior, he silently cursed himself. *Well, you did wish for more excitement in your life...*

Pahrump, NV:

Manifold waited patiently in the diner, sipping his coffee. Filled with cream, and enough sugar to give a diabetic a nervous twitch, it was the best thing he'd tasted in awhile. He hadn't had any coffee for almost a week now.

His adopted name, odd to most, really made perfect sense if anyone ever saw him in action. He tried not to think of his old name anymore. It only brought back painful memories.

But now he sat, waiting patiently for his new client to arrive. The offer given over the phone had been too good to pass up; enough to keep him comfortable for awhile. And it would certainly challenge his skills. Guarding any famous nova was interesting by itself, but rumor had it this Mr. Lucky had plenty of folks he'd pissed off over the years.

Finally, just as he was finishing his sixth or seventh cup, Lucky showed up. Of course, it was pretty obvious. A new model, perfectly waxed Bentley complete with uniformed driver, in this dusty corner of desert? Had to be him.

Sure enough, the face matched the photo he'd seen on the OpNet as his new client stepped out of the car. Striding confidently across the concrete, Mr. Lucky looked every inch the playboy that he was. Outstanding fashion sense mixed with dashing good looks drew the gaze of every waitress in the place as he came through the door.

Smiling as if he knew the attention was his due, Lucky strolled over to Manifold's table and sat. Idly drumming his fingers, the client eyed his new bodyguard up and down quickly, then ordered a nova-sized meal for both of them.

As the waitress sighed softly and walked reluctantly away, Lucky's fingers paused their staccato to reach into his coat pocket for a cigarette and light up. Exhaling towards the ceiling, he raised a questioning eyebrow at Manifold. "You up for this?"

---------------------------------

Boston, MA:

Sujatmi Rais' phone rang. Answering, she could almost hear the misery in the low-level agent's voice. Doing grunt surveillance work from an aluminum trailer was never a glamorous job, especially when it involved no air-conditioning and temperatures well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. "He's here. Transportation and updates are waiting for you at the airport."

She was slightly surprised. Who'd have thought her biggest lead would wind up in the boonies of Nevada?

---------------------------------

San Diego, CA:

Bored out of his mind watching daytime soaps, Erwin was nodding off when the chime from his laptop went off. Signaling an incoming message, he almost ignored it; but anything had to be better than what he was doing right now. Plodding over, he tapped keys till the screen came to life. A vidcast from his mother back in New Zealand. The system asked if he wanted to open it, and he accepted. His mom's face came on the screen, tears streaking through her makeup. Her voice shook, and she stared through the screen at her son. "I know we haven't talked much since your...accident, but I didn't know who else to call! The police won't help, and...and..." She broke down, sobbing incoherently for a moment before sucking in enough air to continue. "Your father...your father is gone! He's disappeared entirely, and I can't find him. His work won't answer my calls. I even drove to his office, and the whole bloody place is closed up like it never existed! I just know it's got something to do with that damn project he's been on; never had a secret between us before he started working for that Mr. bloody Lucky Miner." Dabbing her face with a tissue, she only made the dark smears of eyeliner worse as she sought to gain her composure.

"Son, we've not asked nothin' of you since you got your...you know what I mean. But your father's gone, and that son-of-a-bitch Miner's the only one who can tell us where he is. I want you to find him and throttle the bastard till he brings your Dad home to me. Please, Erwin, I'm begging you!"

Already on edge from the shocking video, the hair on Erwin's scalp tries to leap off as he sees a wavering blur behind his mother just before the video cuts off abruptly.

--------------------------------

Los Angeles, CA:

An ancient fax machine whined to life in the office of Jamie Piper. To anyone else's eye, the paper was a simple manifest for an art shipment due in the next few days, but Jamie's eye widened as he scanned the page. His old friend, now in Parliament, needed his help desperately, and quietly, or he wouldn't have used the simple cipher only taught to his old Company for use during time of war...or capture.

[Codex]

"I'm coming. Tell them that I'll be wearing a red singlet and black jeans with red-sequined flowers on them," Sujatmi said tersely and hung up. She went to the briefcase she carried with her always and withdrew the portfolio within, flipping through it until she found a suitable picture. Her wavy, shoulder-length black hair became a chin-length jet-black bob, her golden-brown skin lightened into the colour of raw sugar and her photogenic features shifted from an almagam of Chinese, Indochinese and Malay into pure Chinese. You could never be too careful, she thought as she changed from a charcoal-grey business suit into her chosen garments and stuffed the slim briefcase into a bigger suitcase covered in stickers from half the major cities in South-East Asia.

Detective Sujatmi Rais of the South-East Asian Bureau of Interpol became Fa Mei Li, incurably curious backpacker from Taiwan. She could fake the accent well enough, and if she should be caught out - well, there was something to be said for regenerative powers, heightened intuition and tough skin.

She left the office after leaving brief messages for her friend Karl and her Interpol superiors. A taxi had already been arranged for Mei Li, complete with admiring Chinese driver who gossiped with her all the way to the airport. Once she was there, she looked around the lobby for whomever she was supposed to meet.

[madcat82]

Los Angeles, CA:

The man simply known as Jamie Piper took his time carefully scrutinizing the fax while his computer fired up. The fax where destroyed quickly once an Opnet connection had been established and the man behind the computer started to search for information on recent public events surround the Brittish parliment. He thought about making a few well placed calls to some old friends, but decided against it. Something about this did not feel right and beside, he could allways call later.

Once he where done, a reservation where made to a connective flight through the Los Angeles International Airport and a taxi ordered. He where just about done packing his bag when the cab showed up.

As he entered the hack he where reminded of the black variety at home, and that came with the sudden realization who else where back there. The seat where soft, but smelled of disenfectation solutions.

"Where are you going my friend?" The voice of the driver woke Jamie from his thoughts.

"To the LAX" His voice where soft, with a hint of a brittish accent.

"Going home?"

"I am going to meet an old friend" The sudden determination in the Art dealers voice silenced the driver.

[archer]

Logan Intl. Airport, Boston, MA:

A shaggy looking man dressed in battered camoflauge pants and rust-colored sweater approached the lovely Fa Mei Li on her right side. Weaving a bit as he walked, he positively reeked of alcohol, easily clearing a path through the few travelers there at this late hour. Stumbling suddenly, he hurled forward and right into Fa Mei Li. Grumbling curses at her to watch where she was going, she felt a distinct hand groping at her bottom before he picked himself up with a leer and made his way quickly outside.

Inwardly amazed that her intution hadn't set off any warning bells, the disguised Interpol agent now had to deal with a different problem. Something that felt distinctly like a small plastic rectangle was beginning to slide insistently down the back of her undergarments...

-------------------

Los Angeles, CA:

Unable to find anything of immediate concern in his OpNet search, Jamie set the system to continue searching and forward any new information to his personal cellphone/PDA.

An uneventful cab ride delivered Jamie to LAX in relative quiet, the driver having quickly sensed his passenger's mood. Passing easily through airport security and having retrieved his ticket, Jamie chose one of the many plastic seats available and sat. His phone beeped softly at him from inside a jacket pocket, and checking it brought some information pertaining to his earlier search.

Highlighted was a brief section of the Las Vegas Review Journal, under the political coverage. Apparently his old friend had recently embarked on a holiday. There was no mention of his destination, or his expected return date. The article's date was listed as two days ago.

[Steele]

Pahrump, NV:

Manifold didn't answer right away. He had been staring absently into his coffee cup for quite some time before Mr. Lucky's arrival, and only continued to do so after what he'd been asked. It'd be his first job since the accident. Hell, his first as a Nova. He didn't know if he was ready, even though his counselor said otherwise. After all, his counselor did set up this meeting.

The diner was quite except for the occasional murmur of conversation and the clatter of dishes. Manifold's eyes had unfocused as his mind slipped into his memories. He began absently swirling the coffee around in his cup, his breathing coming more quickly and softly.

His thoughts went back to a few months back. He was racing down the street in the pouring rain. Every drop made the inside of the car sound like an auditorium erupting in applause. The flashing of lightning followed by the monstrous thunder did little to deter him from his path. The lightning flashed again, but something was different. The hairs on the back of his neck started to stand, but he ignored it. He continued swiftly down the street. The same eerie lightning again, the hairs on his neck were practical needle points. Something was definitely wrong...... something passed in front of him.......he slammed the brakes........

Mr. Lucky had been waiting patiently for Manifold to answer. Thinking it rather odd that no answer had come yet, he was about to speak up when he noticed Manifold eyes had refocused on him. Sadness and anger were relayed through those eyes, but they were quickly hidden as Manifold closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he reopened them, only a touch of sadness remained.

"Yeah, I suppose so...," he smiled a "try not to worry about it" smile and took a sip of his coffee. It was very good coffee.

[Codex]

"Damn drunk," Sujatmi muttered under her breath, as would be expected of any pretty young girl groped by some drunken pervert, and made her way to the ladies' room very quickly with a moue of distaste. She extracted the rectangle quickly and checked to see what it was. If it was the the briefing, she'd have to read it quickly.

[archer]

Pahrump, NV:

Mr. Lucky had been waiting patiently for Manifold to answer.  Thinking it rather odd that no answer had come yet, he was about to speak up when he noticed Manifold eyes had refocused on him.  Sadness and anger were relayed through those eyes, but they were quickly hidden as Manifold closed his eyes and took a deep breath.  When he reopened them, only a touch of sadness remained.

"Yeah, I suppose so...," he smiled a "try not to worry about it" smile and took a sip of his coffee.  It was very good coffee.

←

The dilettante across from him narrowed his eyes. "Suppose so? That's not good enough. I have a very determined person after my hide, and if you only 'suppose' you'll be able to protect me, I'll just find someone else. Now, do you really think you can handle this job, or not?"

----------------------------------

Logan Airport, Boston:

"Damn drunk," Sujatmi muttered under her breath, as would be expected of any pretty young girl groped by some drunken pervert, and made her way to the ladies' room very quickly with a moue of distaste. She extracted the rectangle quickly and checked to see what it was. If it was the the briefing, she'd have to read it quickly.

As she suspected, the small device was in actuality a tiny data storage drive. Inserting it into her personal computer, she opened the file. The briefing sprang to life on her screen: "Our apologies for the delivery method, but I'm sure you understand.

Your assignment has now been changed. Previously, you had been assigned to determine and document any illegal international activity by Mr. Miner; specifically in relation to his business practices. Considering his rather well-deserved nickname, it's not surprising that you hadn't found anything thus far. However, your in-depth knowledge of him does relate to your next assignment.

For some time now, Interpol has been aware of a series of disappearances around the globe. Prominent scientists and engineers, and their families, have gone missing. It wasn't until recently that we discovered why. I'm sure you have already heard of the competition in both military and private sectors for creating space vehicles capable of faster-than-light travel. It seems that near-impossible goal has almost been achieved. Mr. Miner's company is one of the many private corporations in this technological race, and as usual, he seems to be winning.

Interpol is concerned that Mr. Miner may be responsible for some, or possibly all of the disappearances mentioned earlier. We do know that he is planning to visit a very accomplished inventor and analyst in the San Francisco area within the next few days. Your job is to watch this man and his dealings with Miner, and protect him from possible kidnapping. Details for him will be provided to you when you arrive in San Francisco. Your ticket is waiting at the boarding desk. Good luck."

[Codex]

"Oh joy, him again," she muttered under her breath before sliding her computer back into its case and slinging it back over her shoulder. She reinforced her feature-alteration and then left the ladies' room, went to the counter to retrieve her ticket and then headed off to wait for the plane.

[malkboy]

"Son, we've not asked nothin' of you since you got your...you know what I mean. But your father's gone, and that son-of-a-bitch Miner's the only one who can tell us where he is. I want you to find him and throttle the bastard till he brings your Dad home to me. Please, Erwin, I'm begging you!"

Already on edge from the shocking video, the hair on Erwin's scalp tries to leap off as he sees a wavering blur behind his mother just before the video cuts off abruptly.

Erwin's eyes remained fixed on the screen for a few more minutes, until a sudden dryness in his mouth brought him back into the present moment. It'd been ages since he left home, but this business had left a stench in his mouth that had to be fixed for him to be peace once more.

First he'd try to ring his mother, and then if she didn't answer Mr. Lucky Miner had better hope that he could live up to his name. This time he'd dug himself in too deep and definitely into the wrong place. This time something else was lurking below to strike when the time was right.

Absentmindedly, Erwin shook his wrist as he picked up the phone to call his mother and caused a rattle of his bracelet against the plastic case of the receiver.

[Steele]

He's seen this type of outburst before. When peoples situations in life tend to get to chaotic, they reach and seize whatever control they can. This man was scared, and he was reaching.

Manifold calmly set his coffee cup down. The look of sadness had now changed to a look of determination......or was it irritation. "Sir, if you don't think I have the adequate abilities to handle this job, then for your safety, please look elsewhere. My job isn't to lay in a grave that you've dug for yourself, only to make sure you don't fall in. So, until I know what you are up against, then that's the best answer you're going to get out of me."

He leans back and crosses his arms. He seemed satisfied with that last statement, but he was never really good with words.

[archer]

Boston, MA:

"Oh joy, him again," she muttered under her breath before sliding her computer back into its case and slinging it back over her shoulder. She reinforced her feature-alteration and then left the ladies' room, went to the counter to retrieve her ticket and then headed off to wait for the plane.

←

The cross-country flight was uneventful, and upon arrival, a friendly-looking Chinese man welcomed her as if she were his brother. Chattering on in Chinese, his hands quickly gestured to his Interpol lapel pin before taking her backpack, leaving her briefcase for her to carry. Leading her through airport parking, he stopped at a nondescript late-model sedan and put her baackpack behind her seat.

His false smile continued as they drove, maintaining the illusion of a simple family pickup. He offered details about her principal while navigating the heavy traffic, still speaking Chinese.

"The man you'll be watching is Robert Neil Svallo." He waves a hand towards a file folder on the floor of the passenger side. He keeps talking as Sujatmai checks the supplied photo and reads along. "A very gifted scientist, and a prolific inventor. Studied at UC Berkeley, graduated at the top of his class. Grew up here, in San Francisco, and continues to live here, fairly comfortably I might add. Has a constant source of income from royalties on some very lucrative patents shared with large corporations, particularly in the field of robotics. He left the corporate arena awhile ago, though; now he's a freelance consultant, and he's got plenty of clients."

Parking on one of the many steep hills native to the area, he nods towards the house on her right. "We own the house. Your rooms are on the top floor, the downstairs are currently vacant, due to remodeling. The vehicle in the garage is for your use. Any questions?"

--------------------------

San Diego, CA:

Erwin let his mother's phone ring for what seemed like forever before he finally hung up. No answer at all, not even the machine.

--------------------------

Pahrump, NV:

Manifold calmly set his coffee cup down. The look of sadness had now changed to a look of determination......or was it irritation. "Sir, if you don't think I have the adequate abilities to handle this job, then for your safety, please look elsewhere. My job isn't to lay in a grave that you've dug for yourself, only to make sure you don't fall in. So, until I know what you are up against, then that's the best answer you're going to get out of me."

Lucky quirked an eyebrow at him. "I never doubted your abilities, otherwise I'd have never had someone call you. I was more concerned about your resolve to do the job, and that's now been satisfied. Now, why don't we enjoy what's likely to be our last peaceful meal for awhile, then get going? I do have places to be."

With no consideration that the man opposite might actually say no, he flashes a quick grin before digging into the piles of food in front of him.

A little while later, both novas are sitting comfortably in the rear of the sedan. Looking out the window, Miner tries to fill in the details for his new protector. "Someone has apparently hired a very skilled assassin to kill me. I'm really not sure why, but I imagine they had a good reason. Either way, it's been a few weeks now, and I still can't shake the bastard. I have managed, barely, to survive so far, but that's all just a matter of luck. I do have my people trying to backtrack and at least identify who's after me, but for now I need to stay breathing. That's where you come in." He smiles briefly, then his face turns sober. "Look, I'll be honest with you. I've had at least half a dozen guards killed already. Four of them were novas, and not piddly ones, either. The killer mowed through them like so much tall grass. So if you want to keep on, you'll be earning every dime I throw at you. I'll make sure to listen to what you say for keeping me alive, but remember I've got my own abilities too. Sometimes I might know somethings off before you do. If I give you a signal, it probably means somethin' nasty is coming."

He leans back, and blows out a deep sigh. "That's all I can really tell you. You want to bail yet, or are you in for the haul?"

[Codex]

"Where does Svallo live and work?" Sujatmi asked as she combed through her chin-length bob. She would have to go through her portfolio of photographs and photo-manipulations for a new face to watch this scientist. "And do you think this might have anything to do with the lucky man running about so often and his dead guards?"

[malkboy]

Erwin's gaze streams out the window as he weighs his options for finding this Mr. Lucky Miner fellow. After a careful decision, Erwin came to the conclusion that OpNet was probably his best chance at finding his prey, he started his efforts to figure out the truth behind what was going on.

And quietly to himself, Erwin said "I won't give up finding out what's going on, Mom. Even if it means letting out my worse side to get at the truth..."

[madcat82]

Los Angeles, CA:

A look of brief concern flashing over his face, Jamie slowly walked back to the checkin desk, rescheduling his flight from London to Lost Wages, Nevada.

He then quickly made hotel reservations and walked over to a nearby resturant, getting a snack. Worrying made him hungry.

[Steele]

"Yeah, I'm in," Manifold replies. He leans back and rests his arm along the edge of the window. He begins the tap his fingers quietly and looks at the scenary as it's passing by. "Should I be expecting help, or will I be to only one?"

[archer]

San Francisco, CA:

"Where does Svallo live and work?" Sujatmi asked as she combed through her chin-length bob. She would have to go through her portfolio of photographs and photo-manipulations for a new face to watch this scientist. "And do you think this might have anything to do with the lucky man running about so often and his dead guards?"

Scanning the street with quick eyes, the driver shrugged. "I really have no idea about any sort of lucky man. This is your assignment, not mine. As for Svallo, he works out of his home. The address is written on the back of the photograph you're holding."

He glanced at her, a slight twist of impatience to his smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get going. More passengers to pick up."

McCarran Airport, NV:

It was a short flight from L.A. to Las Vegas, only around an hour, including take-off and landing. The real delay was waiting in line for a cab; a dozen of them were lined up outside, but nearly a hundred out-of-towners like himself filled the sidewalk. The noise was tremendous, traffic and horns and conversational babble echoed horribly from the concrete walls and ceilings. A hot wind, made just bearable by the shade, dried sweaty faces for an instant before fresh beads of moisture popped out.

Finally Piper was able to secure a cab, a yellow one just like you'd see in New York or Chicago. Mentioning the hotel's name was all it took, and the cabbie was off like a shot. Smoothly navigating the heavy streets that led away from the airport, he tried to make conversation at first...then fell silent when his passenger didn't respond. Shrugging, he kept driving. Soon enough, they arrived at the hotel. The Las Vegas Hilton, home of the biggest convention center in town and host to Barry Manilow. Perfect for a stuffy, conservative British art dealer.

Checking in was no problem, and minutes later he was in his room, overlooking a walled, private community across the street that had it's own golf course. The room was comfortable, not extravagant; but it did come with all the modern amenities he needed. OpNet connections, a television, telephone and outstanding climate control. Staring blankly at the golfers below, Jamie idly wondered how they could play in this heat.

San Diego, CA:

Erwin's gaze streams out the window as he weighs his options for finding this Mr. Lucky Miner fellow. After a careful decision, Erwin came to the conclusion that OpNet was probably his best chance at finding his prey, he started his efforts to figure out the truth behind what was going on.

Running a basic OpNet query came up with more results than Erwin was expecting. Wayne Miner, aka Mr. Lucky, was apparently the born-again spirit of every shrewd investor who'd ever lived. Wall Street was sick of him. Every time Lucky made a move on the market, it caused an inevitable flood of copycat transactions from any investor who'd ever remotely heard of him. His company was one of the most successful on the planet, involved with everything from sailboats to disposable razors. One article even mentioned his recent bid towards building spacecraft.

Wealthy playboy that he was, many articles stereotyped him, and it wasn't hard. A fun-loving carouser, he constantly surrounded himself with beautiful women and always managed to show up at the most popular social events. But recently, things had taken a darker turn. As Erwin came to the more recent followings, he saw a disturbing trend following the millionaire socialite. Dark-suited guards replaced scantily-clad eyecandy, and every city he stopped in had bad news just after Miner had left town. Nothing obvious, and usually the news clipping was buried in the back pages of whatever publication it was, but it still got Erwin's attention. Every article mentioned a spike in the city's death toll, but mentioned no names for the deceased, or how they died.

The final result clicked on led to a similar blurb from the Las Vegas Sun. "Three bodies were found this morning behind the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. Police have not yet released any details, but sources report that all three victims had been decapitated."

Interstate 15, Nevada:

"Yeah, I'm in," Manifold replies. He leans back and rests his arm along the edge of the window. He begins the tap his fingers quietly and looks at the scenary as it's passing by. "Should I be expecting help, or will I be to only one?"

Miner smiles a relieved grin. "Glad you're on board." He nods towards the front of the car. "You have some help already. Shelby up there is part of our little group, and we should be picking up some more once we hit California. But you're my primary."

Reaching into a pocket, he removes a small earpiece and slips it on, then looks at Manifold. "Now that we've got your employment settled, I need to make a few calls. Don't mind me, I'll be awhile."

A credit-card slim cellphone appears out of an inner coat pocket, and Miner begins his first call. A few seconds to ring, and then: "Hello, Dr. Svallo?"

San Francisco, CA:

Puttering around in his lab, Dr. Robert N. Svallo, Ph.D, was just about to complete connecting a circuit on his newest work when the phone blared to life. He'd set it to the loudest setting earlier so he could hear it in the lab, but had then forgotten that he'd brought it down with him. With a blue spark, the contraption spun to life, whizzing across the room after launching itself off the table. The speed was impressive, and so was the dent it made in the already-battered filing cabinet. As the phone rang a second time, he grabbed it irritably, then walked across the room to pick up the pieces of his beloved nitrous-oxide powered RC car.

"Hello, Dr. Svallo?"

[Codex]

"Well, aren't you in a good mood," Sujatmi replied ironically as she leaned over and gave the driver a quick peck on the cheek before getting out of the car and collecting her luggage. She heads up the driveway, pauses, and turns to wave cheerfully at the driver before entering the house.

[madcat82]

Getting his mind of the golfers, thinking that there is no rest for the wicked idly for himself. Jamie once again started to scan the article for information on where he could find his old friend.

Once done he sent off some opnet mails to various hotels like to hold his "target", all writen in the old army code he and his old squad used.

A lunch later he went over to some of the finer clubs and gallerys in the area, looking for art and the off chance that he would be lucky and meet his friend in need.

[Steele]

Miner smiles a relieved grin. "Glad you're on board." He nods towards the front of the car. "You have some help already. Shelby up there is part of our little group, and we should be picking up some more once we hit California. But you're my primary."

He smiles and nods to Shelby, if they turn to acknowledge him.

Reaching into a pocket, he removes a small earpiece and slips it on, then looks at Manifold. "Now that we've got your employment settled, I need to make a few calls. Don't mind me, I'll be awhile."

Smiles to Mr. Lucky, "Of course not, don't wanna interupt your business." Manifold looks around for something to occupy him. A magazine, a book, the opnet, anything.......

[ConcreteDragon]

San Francisco, CA:

Puttering around in his lab, Dr. Robert N. Svallo, Ph.D, was just about to complete connecting a circuit on his newest work when the phone blared to life. He'd set it to the loudest setting earlier so he could hear it in the lab, but had then forgotten that he'd brought it down with him. With a blue spark, the contraption spun to life, whizzing across the room after launching itself off the table. The speed was impressive, and so was the dent it made in the already-battered filing cabinet. As the phone rang a second time, he grabbed it irritably, then walked across the room to pick up the pieces of his beloved nitrous-oxide powered RC car.

"Hello, Dr. Svallo?"

←

Pushing the black horn-rimed glasses back up his nose, Robert starts examining the Inertial-Magnetic throttle control he had invented.....

"Hummm, perhaps the Tesla rating of the field was too high..." Reaching for his multi-pliers with his right hand, the good Doctor suddenly realizes he already has a phone in it! Putting it to his ear, he tries to split his attention between Herbie and the caller.

"Hello, hello? Is anybody there?"

"Hello, Dr. Svallo?"

"Yes, I am Dr. Svallo... may I ask who's calling, please?"

[archer]

San Francisco, CA:

With a quick wave in return, the man drives off, leaving Sujatmi to check out her new temporary home. Inside, it's just as the driver had said. The downstairs area was covered in sawdust and sheetrock crumbs; draping cloths covered what little furniture had been left behind. Climbing the spiral staircase led her to the upstairs apartment she'd be staying in. Expecting a rather drab and miniscule area, she was surprised to see that the place was quite spacious; the whole second floor had been converted to an airy loft. A low comfortable couch stood opposite a flat-screen televison mounted to the wall, and two soft-looking club chairs rested nearby. The kitched was small, but open to the rest of the room as it was, it didn't feel crowded. A wooden island for cooking sat in the middle, lengthwise between the oven and refrigerator. The bedroom looked over the whole space from a raised section, just a small step above the polished-wood floorboards. A high bed allowed an occupant to easily see out the nearby bay window to the street below.

Las Vegas, NV:

Getting his mind of the golfers, thinking that there is no rest for the wicked idly for himself. Jamie once again started to scan the article for information on where he could find his old friend.

Once done he sent off some opnet mails to various hotels like to hold his "target", all writen in the old army code he and his old squad used.

A lunch later he went over to some of the finer clubs and gallerys in the area, looking for art and the off chance that he would be lucky and meet his friend in need.

Fortune didn't favor Jamie this time. After sending his emails, he spent a lonely lunch by himself. Continuing his search in various galleries and clubs, he did find some lovely art, but no trace of his old friend. When he returned to his hotel room however, he finally got something; a response to one of his emails.

Meet me at the Cue Club on Sahara at 7pm.

-A Friend

Interstate 15, NV:

He smiles and nods to Shelby, if they turn to acknowledge him.

Looking at Manifold in the rear view mirror, the driver nods in return.

Smiles to Mr. Lucky, "Of course not, don't wanna interupt your business." Manifold looks around for something to occupy him. A magazine, a book, the opnet, anything.......

It was good to work for a millionaire. The car had a built-in OpNet station with satellite link in the armrest next to Manifold.

San Francisco, CA:

"Hello, hello? Is anybody there?"

"Hello, Dr. Svallo?"

"Yes, I am Dr. Svallo... may I ask who's calling, please?"

Lucky smiled, just as if he were speaking to Svallo face to face. "Hi there, Doctor. This is Wayne Miner. We spoke earlier in the week about you helping me review some specifications. I hope you don't mind, but I'm on my way to your neck of the woods on business, and I thought we could kill two birds with one stone. Would you be available to meet with me tomorrow?"

[madcat82]

Jamie did not have a lot of "friends" who would write a friend as a signature, so he made some preparations. Firstly he tried to find the blueprints of the Cue club through the opnet, then he walked over there an hour early, checking the place out for himself.

Once all exits have been spoted he got back home, changed and ordered a taxi.

The is nothing like a little paranoia in what looks like a game of cloak and daggers after all.

[malkboy]

The final result clicked on led to a similar blurb from the Las Vegas Sun. "Three bodies were found this morning behind the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. Police have not yet released any details, but sources report that all three victims had been decapitated."

A creepy smile crosses Erwin's face as he starts packing for a short trip to Las Vegas. Nothing real fancy to take along, Erwin arranges for transport (mmm, that bus smell never changes) and heads out for the city that never sleeps.

[ConcreteDragon]

San Francisco, CA:

Lucky smiled, just as if he were speaking to Svallo face to face. "Hi there, Doctor. This is Wayne Miner. We spoke earlier in the week about you helping me review some specifications. I hope you don't mind, but I'm on my way to your neck of the woods on business, and I thought we could kill two birds with one stone. Would you be available to meet with me tomorrow?"

←

"Huummm, let me see. Yes, I believe I have the afternoon free. Would you like to come here, or meet somewhere?" Doctor Svallo takes his PDA and prepares to take notes.

[Codex]

Sujatmi unpacks all of her necessary things and then lies down on the bed with her back to the window, assuming her real face as she meditates for a while.

OOC: Think an hour or so to regain a couple of lost quantum.

[archer]

San Francisco, CA:

Sujatmi unpacks all of her necessary things and then lies down on the bed with her back to the window, assuming her real face as she meditates for a while.

Resting quietly for awhile, eventually her eyes open to see sunset peeking over the horizon. With all the flights, layovers and driving, she hadn't really realized the day's passage, or paid much attention to her now grumbling appetite.

Las Vegas, NV:

Jamie did not have a lot of "friends" who would write a friend as a signature, so he made some preparations. Firstly he tried to find the blueprints of the Cue club through the opnet, then he walked over there an hour early, checking the place out for himself. Once all exits have been spoted he got back home, changed and ordered a taxi.

Blueprints were unable to be found. The Cue Club and surrounding shopping center had been built years ago, before even the outdated Internet had come to life, and in the years between, no one had cared enough about the aging area to make such information public.

On the plus side, the pool hall was in easy walking distance. Dressed smartly as he was, Jamie did find himself under the measuring gaze of some seedier members of society as he strolled through the run-down neighborhood between the Hilton and his destination. Once he arrived, it took only a few minutes to map out the entrances and exits: one main entrance in the front, one main exit in the back, and a few emergency doors in the corners.

Back at the hotel after his earlier scouting mission, the front desk called to let him know his taxi had arrived.

Interstate 15, NV:

Talking easily on the phone, Miner suddenly snaps his fingers to get Manifold's attention. A concerned look on his face, he silently points to his own eyes, then to each window in turn.

"Well, personally I'd love to see your lab and lovely home, Doctor. Why don't we make it at your place, say around 3 o'clock?"

Covering the mouthpiece with his hand, Miner nods seriously at Manifold. "Something's coming." he whispers.

Going back to his conversation with Svallo, he doesn't give the inventor on the other end a chance to object. Forcing a jovial tone, he says, "Doctor, I am sorry about this but something's just come up that I have to attend to. I'll call you again tomorrow before our meeting to confirm. Good-bye!"

Disconnecting the call, he's just about to say something to Manifold again when a sickening thump is felt and heard from the front of the car, followed by an exclamation from Shelby: "What the hell was that?!"

[Steele]

Interstate 15, NV:

Talking easily on the phone, Miner suddenly snaps his fingers to get Manifold's attention. A concerned look on his face, he silently points to his own eyes, then to each window in turn.

"Well, personally I'd love to see your lab and lovely home, Doctor. Why don't we make it at your place, say around 3 o'clock?"

Covering the mouthpiece with his hand, Miner nods seriously at Manifold. "Something's coming." he whispers.

Going back to his conversation with Svallo, he doesn't give the inventor on the other end a chance to object. Forcing a jovial tone, he says, "Doctor, I am sorry about this but something's just come up that I have to attend to. I'll call you again tomorrow before our meeting to confirm. Good-bye!"

Disconnecting the call, he's just about to say something to Manifold again when a sickening thump is felt and heard from the front of the car, followed by an exclamation from Shelby: "What the hell was that?!"

Manifold's eyes snapped up from the Opnet and darted across to each window. He was about to ask Mr. Lucky what he thought was coming, but the sickening thump was all he needed for an answer. He pulled his boss below the vision of the windows and shielded him the best he could. Once he felt that the boss was secure enough, Manifold looks toward the front of the car and hopes to catch a glance of whatever made the noise.

[Codex]

Sujatmi gets up and goes to the kitchen to make herself a simple meal of rice and vegetables. She regrets the lack of time and opportunity to get some durian fruit but makes do with what she has - like so many times during her childhood.

When she is finished, she washes up and returns to her room to get proper sleep while she could. Tomorrow would be a busy day.

[archer]

Interstate 15, NV, Northbound:

The ancient bus that carried Erwin towards Las Vegas was just as pungent as he remembered. It wasn't necessarily because of the people aboard, or even anything specific he could put his nose on...but he'd definitely ridden in better smelling transportation. For the fifteenth time, he tried to relax, tried to force his stomach to unknot. Fear and worry had been suppressed for the moment; in their place was a hard core of cold determination. No one who ever met Erwin would ever confuse him for a dangerous man, but tonight, the other passengers viewed him warily. At least it earned him his own seat.

He stared out the window blankly, trying to clear his mind by watching the scenery as it passed by. The setting sun laid a beautiful pattern of soft oranges and reds and shadows across the scrub-covered desert. He almost started to relax...but noticed something off in the distance. A black car had suddenly pulled quickly off the highway, with it's hazard lights already turned on, and just behind it's path, an indeterminate blot lay on the hot ashpalt. Right in the path of the bus he was riding on...

Interstate 15, NV, Southbound:

Shelby soon proved an accomplished driver; only seconds after his initial shocked outburst, he made for the shoulder of the highway, smoothly braking to a controlled stop in the fine dirt. "I think we hit someone.", he said, before undoing his seatbelt and exiting the car. In moments, he returned, poking his head back in the driver's door. "We definitely hit someone. There's a body lying in the road. Call for help, I'm going to check to see if they're still alive.

Though tightly controlled, both men can tell Shelby's pretty shaken by the tremor in his voice, and his now sickly pale complexion. Before they can say anything in response, he's gone again, sprinting towards the body in the road.

[madcat82]

Letting out a mental shout of dismay at his internet search, Jamie decided to make a few special mental notes when he looked the place over.

A simple change of attire and then he where off to the Club, this time in a more "safe" transport.

[Steele]

Shelby soon proved an accomplished driver; only seconds after his initial shocked outburst, he made for the shoulder of the highway, smoothly braking to a controlled stop in the fine dirt. "I think we hit someone.", he said, before undoing his seatbelt and exiting the car. In moments, he returned, poking his head back in the driver's door. "We definitely hit someone. There's a body lying in the road. Call for help, I'm going to check to see if they're still alive.

Though tightly controlled, both men can tell Shelby's pretty shaken by the tremor in his voice, and his now sickly pale complexion. Before they can say anything in response, he's gone again, sprinting towards the body in the road.

Something didn't seem right about this. Shelby seemed like an accomplished driver, how did he not see the person in the road? Manifold thought about this for a moment and realized that he better play it safe. He appeared to move when he didn't. A hazy image of himself opened the car door and began to step out even though he was still covering his boss from inside the car. The image solidified halfway through the door and then produced another hazy image which fully stepped out of the car and solidifed.

The clones looked at each other for a brief second. A look of sadness crossed both their faces as they each remembered the first time this happened. Then, suddenly recalling the current situation, they both looked back into the car to Manifold. That same sad look was on his face too.

"I've got him covered, go help Shelby and make sure we're clear of hostiles," he told the clones.

[malkboy]

A black car had suddenly pulled quickly off the highway, with it's hazard lights already turned on, and just behind it's path, an indeterminate blot lay on the hot ashpalt. Right in the path of the bus he was riding on...

Erwin dashes toward the front of the bus, yelling for the driver to stop the vehicle. Ignoring the dirty look the driver is probably giving him as he passes the infamous white line, Erwin barely waits for the bus to come to a full stop before he starts trying to push the door open.

[archer]

Las Vegas, NV:

Letting out a mental shout of dismay at his internet search, Jamie decided to make a few special mental notes when he looked the place over.

A simple change of attire and then he where off to the Club, this time in a more "safe" transport.

←

Arriving at the Cue Club without incident, Jamie entered the lively pool hall. Music blared over the raucous din of loud conversations coming from both the billiard tables and the bar. The place was loud, alright, but didn't seem threatening. In fact, one thing that surprised Jamie was the number of teenagers there; he'd imagined the place would be full of surly bikers and hustlers. Sure, there were a couple of each floating around, but the majority was easily held by the kids. And one of them was walking towards him right now.

She was short and stocky; a Latina girl with long, bright orange-red hair. Dressed in a white tight-fitting tank top and baggy canvas work pants, and strongly muscled, he might have mistaken her for a boy if not for the length of her hair.

Taking a deep drag from her cigarette, she moved closer and finally stopped directly in front of him, looking up at his face. She exhaled slowly, a cloud of smoke enveloping Jamie's head. "So you the one, huh? I 'sposed to meet you and talk. Why don' we go someplace quiet, jes' you n' me. We talk."

Jamie got the distinct impression that she was flirting with him; and badly. He couldn't tell if she was being mocking, or if she just didn't really know how. A bit taken aback, he studied her more closely. Other than the hair, the woman didn't seem to have any other attractive, or even feminine, features. Homely would probably be the kindest word he could come up with, and that was a stretch. Maybe he was one of the few decent-looking men she could actually get to talk to her.

Interstate 15, NV, Northbound:

Erwin dashes toward the front of the bus, yelling for the driver to stop the vehicle. Ignoring the dirty look the driver is probably giving him as he passes the infamous white line, Erwin barely waits for the bus to come to a full stop before he starts trying to push the door open.

The bus driver, finally seeing for himself what his passenger is screaming about, slams on the brakes, sending Erwin past that infamous white line in a hurry. Bouncing off the front window, the snake-handler manages to grab onto one of the handrails leading down the steps and holds on till the bus has slowed almost to a stop, then shoves at the locked door. The bus driver, grabbing for the radio mounted above the driver's seat, glares at Erwin before finally opening the doors for him. As Erwin darts outside, he can hear the driver trying to contact the local authorities to tell them about a body on the highway.

Interstate 15, NV, Southbound:

"I've got him covered, go help Shelby and make sure we're clear of hostiles," he told the clones.

The two extras nodded in unison. One ran off towards Shelby immediately, while the other instead opened the trunk and began searching for any items that might help in this situation. Below his original self, Manifold could feel Miner moving. He was striking the floor of the car in frustration, and muttering to himself. He tries to shrug his protector off. "Unless you see an immediate threat to my existence, would you please get off of me?"

[Steele]

The two extras nodded in unison. One ran off towards Shelby immediately, while the other instead opened the trunk and began searching for any items that might help in this situation. Below his original self, Manifold could feel Miner moving. He was striking the floor of the car in frustration, and muttering to himself. He tries to shrug his protector off. "Unless you see an immediate threat to my existence, would you please get off of me?"

Not one to think someone can't take care of themself, Manifold gives his boss some breathing room. "I would suggest you stay low sir. There may be no immediate threat, but something about this doesn't seem right."

[madcat82]

As the teenager approached him, Jamie studied her, letting his eyes go over her body criticaly analysing it. Her clothes pinned her as some sort of ganger, they where usual on this side of the atlantic after all, but Jamie could not say where from or how bad.

Raising an eyebrow at the seemingly poor excuse for a pick-up line he leaned down to the girls ear and whispered "Are you my friend or a friend to my friend?"

[archer]

Interstate 15, NV, Southbound:

Manifold #2 and #3 move quickly to the still body, arriving only seconds after Shelby. On one knee, the driver pulls his surprisingly bloodless hand away from the victim's neck, shaking his head. "She's dead. I don't get it, I didn't see her at all, one second it was open highway, and then she was just in front of the car. I swear I didn't even see her!"

The clones studied the body while Shelby talked. An older caucasian woman, middle aged, probably in her fifties or sixties, with slightly graying hair. She was dressed like she just came out of her bedroom; no shoes or slippers, wearing a floral print mumuu and some gold jewelry. The damage to her body was severe; deep scrapes from the pavement went down to the bone on most of her fingers, and one elbow. The right side of her face had been crushed, and her neck was obviously broken, considering the unnatural angle her head lay against the ground.

Not one to think someone can't take care of themself, Manifold gives his boss some breathing room. "I would suggest you stay low sir.  There may be no immediate threat, but something about this doesn't seem right."

Sliding out from under his new protector, Miner nods. "Agreed. Since I've still got warning bells going off in my head, I'm fairly sure there's still some danger present. Any clues from your new twins?"

Las Vegas, NV:

Raising an eyebrow at the seemingly poor excuse for a pick-up line he leaned down to the girls ear and whispered "Are you my friend or a friend to my friend?"

She takes another drag on her cigarette before answering. "The second one. Now, les' go talk somewhere else, too many puercas here. They make me nervous."

[madcat82]

Jamie makes a pointing gesture with his hand.

"you lead the way"

[Steele]

Sliding out from under his new protector, Miner nods. "Agreed. Since I've still got warning bells going off in my head, I'm fairly sure there's still some danger present. Any clues from your new twins?"

Manifold looked out the window towards his two clones, hoping one of them would look his direction. As luck would have it, one glanced his way while he was looking around the area. Manifold gave a nod towards the body. The clone looked in that direction and then caught the meaning of the gesture. Looking back at Manifold, the clone made a slashing motion across his neck.

"Whoever we hit, they're dead," Manifold says to Mr. Lucky. Back to the clone, Manifold takes two fingers and points to his eyes, made a circle motion with his hands and then pointed up. The clone nodded in return and continue searching for where this person could have come from, even up from the sky.

[archer]

Interstate 15, NV, Southbound:

"Whoever we hit, they're dead," Manifold says to Mr. Lucky.  Back to the clone, Manifold takes two fingers and points to his eyes, made a circle motion with his hands and then pointed up.  The clone nodded in return and continue searching for where this person could have come from, even up from the sky.

"Goddamnit!", Miner barked, slamming a fist against the seat next to him. Manifold hadn't known him long, but this was the first instance he'd seen his boss lose control. Considering the man's normal cool exterior, it was a bit surprising. Taking a deep breath, he visibly gathered himself and looked at Manifold for a long moment before speaking.

"We need to get out of here. Get Shelby over here, have him call the authorities and report the accident. He'll have to stay here with the car and handle the report. You and I will be leaving as soon I can arrange another transport."

Sliding on his phone's earpiece, Miner began making calls.

Meanwhile, the two extra Manifolds, along with Shelby, scanned the surrounding area for any hint of where the body may have come from, with no success.

Las Vegas, NV:

"You lead the way."

Nodding, the girl does just that, walking quickly outside. Waiting only long enough to make sure he joins her, she continues through the parking lot to her car, an ancient giant of an SUV. Painted black, with red and orange flames dancing across the broad hood and along the sides, it sat heavily on oversized offroad tires. Grinning, she ran a hand along the thick metal bumper as she moved to the driver's side and hopped in. Literally hopped; she was dwarfed by the vehicle and had to jump to get in. Reaching over, she manually unlocked the passenger door for Jamie and fired up the engine while he climbed in. With a deep bass rumbling purr, she carefully backed the behemoth out of it's parking spot and headed towards the shopping center exit.

"We goin' someplace private. Someplace maybe you can see where your frien' is."

[Steele]

"Goddamnit!", Miner barked, slamming a fist against the seat next to him. Manifold hadn't known him long, but this was the first instance he'd seen his boss lose control. Considering the man's normal cool exterior, it was a bit surprising. Taking a deep breath, he visibly gathered himself and looked at Manifold for a long moment before speaking.

"We need to get out of here. Get Shelby over here, have him call the authorities and report the accident. He'll have to stay here with the car and handle the report. You and I will be leaving as soon I can arrange another transport."

Sliding on his phone's earpiece, Miner began making calls.

Meanwhile, the two extra Manifolds, along with Shelby, scanned the surrounding area for any hint of where the body may have come from, with no success

.

Another transport huh? I suppose that would be a good idea, better then sitting here like ducks, Manifold thought to himself. He looked toward Shelby, waiting to catch his glance. Mental note, we need radios.....

Reaching over the seat, Manifold presses the horn to get Shelby's attention to wave him over to the car. Once he gets there, Manifold relays the instructions to Shelby.