[gilga]

"Don't be silly - I come 100% I am not the kind to back down but I am not socially blind and I am not wanted within this crowed and I doubt I'll ever be. I will be there for you,  I... " Marco would have continued but Yelena stormed 'in' . Woman of steel is not so strong herself so it seems.

Marco just stood there in the cold happy for his new armor that protected him well. If anything bad or violent happens Marco has his emotions in tact. Right now they are on the clock and there may be some very dangerous people on their tail, this is no time for crying, for storming out or for heart to heart conversations. This is time for survival and professionalism. The rest can curse him all they want, yell at him to leave - but they are not safe yet and there is no time for these emotions.

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena stops walking fifty meters from the door, still cloaked in shadow but seeing clearly for the first time in days.  She had brought herself to this point by allowing someone to get close to her, something no one had done since the sax man.  She chides herself for her weakness even as she hardens her heart, taking a bit of the shadow into herself to plug the holes left there by her own actions.  She resolves to not let such emotions to affect her again and returns to the building.

Again greeted by the noise of the gnomes chopping the van, she notices that they have made remarkable progress.  Parts of the first van are stacked neatly on the floor and one of the halfers is busy snapping photos and cataloguing them, presumably for some matrix site that deals in auto parts.  Yelena nods to the busy gnomes, but they do not even acknowledge that she is present, and after a brief pause Yelena proceeds on to the back room and the others.

[gilga]

How do these people ever get anything done?  Firefly storms out, Arc raises her voice now Yelena provoke me and storms in. Is she really the one that analyzed every possible line of fire, the locations of every exit and finishing a bottle of Vodka in some club was a big NO, because she was on the clock? Aren't we on the clock now? Am I the only one who refuses to let the adrenaline go down?   Could a CEO get away with this kind of emotional stability ?
 A politician ?
A body guard?
A Soldier?
It seems that every job analogue I can think about requires the ability to control emotions.
She is slave to her own emotions - I have not given her a single reason to doubt me. I was true to her every step of the way - but perhaps she cannot contain myself. 

Family?! this is a very strong word with very little content behind it. I have no family my parents abandoned me. The only other type of family is aimed for control and manipulation. Fake families like Bratva’s.

This is the keeb I love. Perhaps she believes that this is her family and that she need to put them in harms way. In reality, the past is more important than the present and Nikolai can play my scary lady like a piano. He probably had years of practice in motivating her.  She is a slave to her own emotions. I told her YES 3 times already and she heard NO.

I like Arc, I love Yelena. The other two? I do not even know them - this is not family. Calling someone sister after knowing her for a few hours will not make it truth. Even sleeping with her will not create long lasting emotional commitment. You cannot just decide that people are your family because you need them to stick their necks for you.  Always black and  white - family or strangers - friend or foe. My world is all grey. Anyone that ever talked  black and white to me always wanted me to do something, and often something evil.

I have nobody to lean on. I showed her my true self to her and talked to her like I did with nobody else. I was real for her - but all that she hears is me doubting in her.

I have no idea why my desire to reflect upon my actions and submerge myself in books for a couple of weeks  threatens her. I was honestly hoping that when I come back they'll be able to endure me for more than a minute.  If I even get some time to reflect before the bloody flight. We are not done yet. Why is my desire to understand threatens her so much ? If I really am a Daemon ? - will she like me still?

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc's head was swimming as the conversation carried on.  When she was focused on her ribs, taped up and doing little to ward off the chill on her mostly bared torso, a hand was applying some pressure to the side of her skull, just above and to the side of her ear.  So much was going on...Tuskaloosa had returned, and was now providing some privacy for those less clothed than her.  Firefly had returned, bearing clothes for the both of them, as well as some food for nourishment.  And then Yelena had rejoined in, but promptly left with Marco?

Too much going on...was it Triads or Yaks that we stole from?  Who's interested in the club, who's backing it?  Ugh...frag it all, I can't do this...

She could hear Dana talking, and could only hope that she followed as her head started to droop, snapping back alert in a moment.  Before she could say anything though, she lifted a hand up, placing it firmly on Firefly's shoulder, only shaking a little as she muttered something out.  "..you aight....we talkin' later...now, job first..."  It was her hope that her message was conveyed before she looked back up at Dana.

"Firefly...you were with me when we busted that warehouse and got a look at that mage what cook it.  Nnh...apparently, she was a research assistor to this lady here, and maybe from what it sounds, her team was the source for the Dust's stuff.  You said you got a good look at her, as well as some info.  Got anything that might help us?"

[Shaman_Yuri]

"..you aight....we talkin' later...now, job first..."

I nod to Arc, briefly catching her eyes to let her know I expected as much and am willing to be open when the time comes.

"Firefly...you were with me when we busted that warehouse and got a look at that mage what cook it.  Nnh...apparently, she was a research assistant to this lady here, and maybe from what it sounds, her team was the source for the Dust's stuff.  You said you got a good look at her, as well as some info.  Got anything that might help us?"

I look at the older mage with a raised eyebrow.

"That mage was your assistant?" I remark with only a little surprise.  "Huh...I guess that makes some sense.  I actually have a lot on her, although not what Arc-sensei would expect.  I never really saw her in meatspace, but I got a perfect look at her in astral two different times.  Bardic tradition - strong in healing and manipulation mojo.  Pretty powerful magic wise but not terribly inventive.  I watched her making the drug like she was cooking dinner from a book.  I could too if I wanted.  It's not that tough.  I have the skills and know the recipe after all..."

Let's see how she reacts to THAT!

And while I wait for her response, I mentally reach into my deck and do a search on this mage.  Using facial recognition does she match any of the extensive records I scoured from the safe data, I wonder?

Smiles, feel free to have the deck respond to my inquiry with a cheeky personality appropriate for an arrogant genius teenage girl who is privileged and knows she's the smartest person in the room - any room.  Kinda like Subaru would have been 6 months ago.

[Mercy Merchant]

Returning to the room, Yelena sees that all are dressed, or at least as well as possible in the stuffer shack cheap-threads brand.  With a smile that actually makes it to her eyes, Yelena approaches Arc and embraces her gently.  "Srui, you back from brink of death."

She nods to Firefly and Tuskaloosa before looking at the mage.  "So, is mage target.  Marco outside.  Can bring back in for planning?"

[ismilealot]

Dana looks at Subaru and takes the proffered clothes, Dressing quickly and efficiently she doesn't even bother going behind the blanket Tusks is holding up as a privacy screen. She listens to Subaru's description of Jaime and nodded her head. "Yes, I had wanted as many as my research assistants as possible to be Awakened. Since we were working to enable mundanes to sense mana I found that it was easier to explain many of the properties I was looking to enhance to those who were themselves experienced in sensing magic. But, she never tested that strong so she must have hidden her abilities." She finishes dressing and looks around. "I could use some tea."

@ Subaru  It doesn't take the program long to find a match for Mackenzie Dana Wallace. 

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena goes to look at the caf pot and is mildly surprised to see that it is actually a sophisticated model and has one of those valves for hot water.  There is a small box with several brands of tea and she selects one and takes two packets, adding them to a couple of mugs and hot water to make some tea.  Yelena walks to the mage and hands her one of the mugs.  "Am Yelena.  Yelena not know mage name.  Hope tea good.  Not know what like." 

She smiles as the mage gratefully wraps her hands about the mug and smells the aroma.  Turning, Yelena goes to the cracked door and opens it enough to step through.  She holds the mug out to Marco.  "Is tea.  Yelena make so not know if good.  Yelena drink if Marco not like.  Marco come inside for warm and talk plans for mage.  Stand at back if want, but Yelena want Marco listen and give advice.  Yelena trust Marco.  Most of time."

The last was said with a smile as Yelena steps back and holds the door for Marco.

[gilga]

Marco enters the room and sends Yelena a warm smile. "I am here, but I admit that I am a bit confused, if someone was to Steal the project why market it in the same city - why not try to be super sneaky about it."

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena nods and smiles as she hands over the cup of tea and makes way for Marco to enter.  "Yes.  Yelena not used thinking why gangers do things.  Yelena used to orders to kill then go kill.  New ground for Yelena."   She stands next to Marco at the wall, listening to the discussion by the others, but her mind does play over what Marco said.

[Shaman_Yuri]

Tea sounds nice.  I never have gotten much of a taste for what seems to pass as the American national drink - soycaf.  Then again, what passes for tea around here is a far cry from what I'm used to.  Still, it's better than the alternative.  I slip out quietly after Marco enters to find my center and get something to warm my hands and throat.  It also gives me time to review everything I can dredge up on Dr MacKenzie Dana Wallace from both the safe data and the matrix.

Search the 'trix for data on the Dr Wallace: test #1: 12d6t5: 7 [12d6t5=6, 5, 6, 5, 2, 5, 5, 6, 2, 2, 4, 3]

This is for my first time period of what may be an extended search on Dana.  Maybe 10 minutes perhaps.  Also keep in mind I did an extended test on the assistant mage and got over 20 hits.  Between the two tests I should be able to string a lot together between the two.

[SgtBoomCloud]

It wasn't long after her thought processes that Arc's mind was distracted by the feeling of the older keeb wrapping her arms about the mechanic's shirtless form.  She couldn't help but Crack a little smirk at the comment, letting Firefly converse with their guest for now as she returned the embrace.

"Don't jinx it Srui.  Still feel like hell.   It dont matter though.  Job ain't done yet.  Marco hit up Blake.  Maybe get us a way out. Time will tell"

She coughed abruptly, but waved off any concern that may have caused.  With everyone changed and dressed...well, decent at least, Arc made a whistle over to Tuskaloosa.  "Hoi, Skraa'cha, join us.  Nice work on the vans."  she gave a little reassuring nod at that before turning her head back to Yelena.  "this lady says she knows your Hank from the club.  Personally.  You see anything funky with that hoop?"

[ismilealot]

@ Subaru. A litany of accolades, publications and innovations began scrolling across the screen. Dana had worked for several Corp's and held teaching positions as an adjunct professor at three different universities. It looked like she'd been able to command her own terms all across the globe with inventions estimated to be worth over five hundred million. But, something wasn't adding up. Subaru knew people like Dana were considered Corp assets. They had contracts that locked them up tight. But, not only had she worked for different corp's, she'd traveled extensively and taught abroad. Why?

Learn a lesson from your honorable ancestors. They made not talking about what everyone knew an art form. Smartest one in the room? More like a pampered and coddled little pet while no one talked about your mother. And you never wondered why she spoke about all her exploits to you so openly. Did she ever have lunch with any of the other wives? Other corp deckers? But, you didn't notice what was missing did you genius? And your not seeing what's missing here.

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena thinks on her two meetings with Hank.  "Man nervous hiring outsider for assassination.  Ask Yelena questions when could go Virtual Goddess for answers.  Hank pay Yelena for killing Snowden then Yelena leave."

[ismilealot]

@ Marco  Blake's comm comes through with a priority flag. >> >> Marco, I've got the permissions. Your package can expect priority delivery and once we confirm veracity of the contents payment will include every single protection we can afford the contents. << <<

@ Subaru  What's missing? How am I supposed to find what's missing? Her body still hurts. Her emotions are raw. And now some damned deck is taunting her to find what's missing. She will burn it to the Nine Hells once she's done with this job. But right now she needs it because her last failure, failing to see the other deckers interference, almost cost them the job. She's not going to let that happen again. But, how do I find what's missing? As her mind feverishly begins to focus on the problem, delving deeper into the trix, she begins comparing Dana's bio with that of other scientists at her level. Unfortunately there are hundreds of them. Eidetic memory can recall minutia. But, it can't automatically compare and contrast it. Finally she finds it, or rather deduces it. Mackenzie Dana Wallace is missing DNA information. There are others that are supposedly missing it. But, if you search hard enough you can find it, taken secretly in some cases. Or openly and guarantees that it remain secret in others. But, in her case there is none. There is evidence of where it's been taken in secret. But, in every case it was removed in less than 48hrs. Someone very powerful is hiding her parentage. And considering that that very public and legal parentage is lesser nobility, it means that not only is her real parentage not that nobility, her real parentage would have to be extremely damning, even in this day and age.

@ Marco  Dana looks at Marco and says, "Leonard paid for it. Or rather his company did. He's CEO for a company with divisions in pharmaceuticals, bioware, aerospace components, packaging, gene tech, optics, energy. He's Leonard Zhang-Xu. They're not mega-corp, but, Leonard thought that the profits from this venture would not only move them into that status, but, do so with a product that would put them on the map as major players in mana pharmacology. It's really an uncharted field of study and I was on cloud nine to be it's chief architect and innovator. A breakthrough would have put me in the history books permanently." She grimaces and looks down at her tea for a moment. "I guess I let that thought go to my head. I really drove that research despite the setbacks and evidence of addiction. I thought I could find a way around that, or at least counter it with another drug." she shakes her head. "Hubris to think I just needed more time. And that my drug wasn't already being used, as effective as it was, I should have known someone would be using it even without patents and sufficient testing."