[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena watches the scene between Marco and Chesh unfold, oddly glad that Chesh is prevented from killing the mage.  First, her own shot was unintentionally blocked, and now this.  She watches Chesh walk past her and back to her daughter then turns to smile at Marco before returning to see to Arc's care.

[gilga]

Okay I am leaving Marco said and took his gun back. He allowed Chesh her form of revenge, she was upset and had every right to be so. "She is not safe in her, and it is unfair to keep her for long she endangers us and is unstable, Yelena is terrifying she is death itself, I cannot even blame her for freaking out."

Marco deposited his gun in the holster and thought "Sloppy Marco - very sloppy" He then wiped off the spit from the now bound mage. The last thing he needs is her feeling threatened and freaking out. 

>>Dear Blake, we are in this address looking forward to seeing you.
He texted. With all the dark powers that wanted Dana it seems like the Feds were her best option.  They were also freedom for him, she knows quite a bit about the drug, and bioweapons, but that story was too big to contain or to even relate to.
 
 "Yelena almost killed her, why didn't she? our pact? second thought, there is no way to say still she did fire and the bullet hole is quite a statement. She is dark, darker than Chesh." 

Then it hit him Arc ! she is not well - the medikit is connected to her and she is unresponsive. "Firefly is both smart and magical she can heal Arc we do not need a miricle just to let things go the way they are". Marco quietly prayed for Arc, focusing with all his intend.
He came up with a short prayer and chanted it repeatedly over and over again. To Marco, prayers were the strongest kind of magic with the power to transform the very soul of a person.

"Dear Lord, You are the just judge, holy and true.  You give us life. You hold all power in your hands. You are the mighty one from God who carries the world, and is ruler over all the earth. In your mercy please spare Arc, for she is young and there are so many pure emotions  she is yet to experience. Please strengthen the healing hands of Firefly and grant her the capacity to tend to her every wound. 

[Shaman_Yuri]

The relieved look on Chesh's face as she saw her daughter's body returned to normal was thanks in itself.  I was taking a deep, relieved breath when suddenly the small woman's face became determined and she turned to approach the events around the mage.  I wasn't exactly surprised when she moved to take matters into her own hands, but I was kinda surprised to see how the priest dealt with it.  Well, I hadn't exactly felt he was malicious, just foolish.  Sometime soon we were going to have a talk about summoning and how reckless it could be.

But not now.

For now I had another patient.  I moved back to examine Arc and checked the indicator on the medkit.  The wondrous device was still finishing up, but indicated it had achieved most of what it could do.  Arc was still unconscious and the device advised immediate medical attention.

Or me.

I took another breath and implored Allah to continue to smile on his child.  I then cast heal on my mentor.

Heal Arc - Force 6 (Spellcraft 6 + Magic 5): 11d6t5: 4 [11d6t5=6, 6, 1, 3, 3, 5, 1, 2, 5, 3, 4]
Soak drain for healing Arc: 11d6t5: 1 [11d6t5=2, 1, 5, 2, 3, 2, 1, 3, 2, 4, 4]

Arc is healed four boxes. Subaru takes a box of stun damage.  It appears Allah wanted to ensure I didn't take Him for granted.

[SgtBoomCloud]

”Momma!”

The screams and cry of the child she was shielding was the last thing Arc heard as she felt the searing blast hit her, sending her onto the cold concrete of the garage floor.  The fires lapped at what little clothing she still had on, threatening to fry her to a crisp, until something intervened, sending her world dark.  The pain was still there, the breathing was still ragged as she felt her hold on staying awake slipping, but the sound of searing flesh had subsided.

Slipping in and out, the fires and the sounds of the cries brought her mind to a dark, long forgotten place…one fateful day that set her life in the direction that was her world…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

”We have to go, it’s spreading!”

“Forget our things, we’re gonna be trapped.”

”Honey, where’s Tessa?  I can’t find Tessa!”

“Tessa!  Tessa, come out, Tessa!”

It’s dark.  I see a door.  My closet, I hid from the smoke.  I’m choking from the bad air in my chest.  I can hear my parents calling for me, but I’m too afraid.  My legs refuse to move.

”Mommy…Daddy...”

My voice is weak, and even I can barely hear myself.  The air is growing hot and itchy, fast.  I’m holding my stuffed bear tight, wimpering.  Three loud bangs, a groan, a thud, a shriek.  My mother’s shriek.

“Noo!!  Get away!”

The sound of scrabbling getting closer, and I can hear crackling and things crashing.

“Tessa!!”

”Mommy!”

The sounds of footsteps become closer and quick, and then I hear a hiss as the door turns, going to open.  I see the panicked face of my mother through the gap for a brief moment.

And then all went bright, and I felt pain, and my world went dark.

All I knew was I was on the ground.  I hurt all over, I could not move.

”Mommy..?”

No voice greeted me, but I could hear the sound of something being dragged…heavy, scraping against the ground.

”Mommy..”

The sound grew fainter, a sickening scraping until I was alone…

Why can’t I move?

…why can’t I see?

”MOMMY!!!!!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m…not dead?

Arc slowly started to stir from where she lay, eyes rebooting, the subtle green irises activating to show she was regaining awareness.  Finally though, she stirred, her head shifting from side to side as one arm went to push herself up.  She moved slowly, tentatively testing her muscles out and wincing a little at the pain.  But, it wasn’t nearly what she expected.  Her attire definitely felt charred, her jeans sporting a few new spots and holes she didn’t remember, and the bra and tape keeping her pale dirt-scuffed torso decent was frayed and barely hanging onto her body.

Her eyes and head moved next, looking up to see the figures huddled around her, the firstmost noted being that of the teen Firefly right in front of her, followed by the violet gaze of her Srui'ken, Yelena.  In a snap of refocusing to the now, her eyes opened wide, and over the dirt scuffing her cheek the pair could see the tears flowing openly down her face.  She opened her mouth to speak, the mechanic’s voice crackling out forcibly.

”The…the littlun…she’s…?”

It only took a nod of the head from those near her for Arc to sate her need for information, seeing the little gnome child Daisy being cared for by her mother.  Relief washed over the human as her shoulders and head slumped where she sat, the waterworks seeming to increase.  ”Good…tell them…I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…”

In the course of a few seconds, however, the energy seemed to shift within the short rigger, her jaw hardening as her singed hair fell around her face.  Her hands started to ball into fists as she gave a pained grunt, sitting up straight, left hand supporting herself against the ground while her right cyberhand shot back, reaching for her Predator.  Her voice growled low as she uttered her next syllables.

”Where is she…Blake had better...nnh...give me a DAMN good reason...not to cap this slitch and..send her in a fraggin’ body bag…””

Even as her emotions burned with the passion of her entire being, she still wept.  It was clear she wanted up, but still was in no state to move so quickly, forcing her back to a sitting position.

thanks to firefly, Arc has her overflow and 3 physical boxes cleared of damage, leaving her condition at 9/12 (3 wounds)

[ismilealot]

From a tabletop the sing-song voice of Hatter fills the air. "Bye baby bunting, Chesh has gone a hunting, to bring a human mages skin to pay for the pain she wrapped baby in." Chesh hugs Daisy and covers her ears. "That's enough Hatter." she says. And then she looks at Daisy, "C'mon sweetie. I think you need a some sugar cookies after all that." She stands up and turns to Firefly, her eyes fill with tears as she manages to get out a low, whispered, "Thank you." You can tell she wants to say more, but, the words won't make it past her throat. She nods, eyes bright with unshed tears and turns, taking Daisy's hand and leading her away. The fires put out, the Munchkins surround the group in a wide semi-circle. And Alyce speaks up, "I think we're owed some answers. This was a chop. Valuable vehicles, but a chop we paid for with a bio-bed and some cover. Instead you bring that in here. No word, no warning." He looks angry enough to take on an orc. "We survive by staying under the radar. NOT by having a gods all fraggin' FIREBALL go off. This is our home. This is our family. And you have worn out your welcome. Hatter's voice sings out again, "Arc and Yelena come to me. Raven, Johnny and Feathers now missing. Trouble always comes in three's. Bonny Smiling Killers." Alyce pauses and does a double take. Looking at Arc and Yelena hard. "Feathers? You're with him? You're the . . . . " The wind seems knocked out of him for a moment and then he straightens up. "Trouble attracts some people. Others attract trouble. As much as I respect what you've done. We're not hero's. We're just choppers. We put food on the table and try and stay out of trouble. For what you did I ain't saying don't come back. But, I gotta say, you attract trouble like a magnet. We don't have any way of dealing with it."
Hatter looks around at the group of Munchkins around the room and says, "They stay." As one the heads of all the tiny halflings in the room snap, staring at him. Hatter says nothing more, simply stands there waiting. Most shake their heads and leave the room, their body language clearly saying, "He's mad!" Alyce looks him straight in the eye. "You've always been completely nutters. The small gods alone know why we listen." Hatter looks at him calmly and says, "Because I'm right." Alyce keeps eye contact for another minute, each man taking the others measure and then Alyce sighs, "Alright then. They stay." He walks away, but, just as he gets to the garage door his head turns back and he says, "But, clean up for the mess comes out of the second chop."

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena watches the exchange between the Gnomes with interest.  It is now apparent that the one named Hatter has a great deal of authority among them.  She nods as the rest of the Gnomes depart, leaving Hatter standing alone.  Yelena puts a hand on Arc's shoulder before standing and walking up to him and saying, "Hatter not mad.  Hatter know where Raven, Johnnie, Feathers are?  All disappear without word.  Maybe Hatter know where and why?" 

[ismilealot]

For a moment Hatter's eyes focus on Yelena. But it is a moment only and then the strain of sanity takes it's toll. His eyes un-focus and a grin plasters his face, his head cocking sideways. "Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep! Lost her sheep! Lost her sheep!" Hatter dances madly, jumping from table to table. "Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn't know where to find them. Can't leave them alone or they won't come home, but no telling where he hides them." he cackles at that, swinging around and around a pole. Alyce comes back in and brings a cred stick. "You're share of the second chop, minus expenses." He looks over at Hatter and sighs, a look of regret on his face. "Ee'll be way worse than usual after that. 'atters always a bit off. Brilliant mind, really brilliant actually. Dead keen observer. But, off 'is 'at." He looks to you for understanding, "Ee's tried the meds. But, 'e's allergic to them. After them nearly killing 'im a few times trying to 'cure 'im', we decided it just wasn't worth it. Ee can get by well enough. And I look after 'im when it's bad. But, well, probably best if you wrap up your business." He sighs and hands Arc the credstick and then goes over to Hatter calling out, "Oy Baby Bunting come with daddy hunting, need to catch a rabbit skin." He begins to do a skipping hop side to side, leading Hatter in a circuitous route out of the room. Hatter begins his dance, following him chanting, "Wrap the baby bunting in! Wrap the baby bunting in! Wrap the baby bunting in! Going with daddy hunting to wrap the baby bunting in!"

[Duck N. Cover]

     Tuskaloosa felt the sting in her eyes as she remained where she was: taking a knee beside their “prize”.  Their decker proved for the second and third time this night to be a mojo-slinger with lifesaving skill--literally.  Words could not express her relief.

     She had looked up from her glue job in time to watch Marco struggle with Chesh over his gun and talk her out of shooting a helpless prisoner.  As Chesh walked away, the troll sorted out her feelings:  shame for being flat-footed a second time in as many minutes?  Perhaps. But when the gnome's intent had been clear she'd made no attempt to stop her.  Why?  To allow justice?  To know when to stay out of a Mother Bear's way, no matter the size?
   
     Just as her own mother had done?
   
    No, she thought, this is a little different: Momma stepped in to save me.  We have the mage down; Chesh didn't need to fight to save her daughter.
   
     She watched the elf Samaritan holster his gun and clean off the mage.  You are no killer - don't become one now, huh?  Aren't you the presumptuous one...
   He might have waved her clear from a path of Hate, but to assume the gnome hadn't killed before?  That he knew her history and what motivated her?  Arrogance.
   
     Still, he had prevented the enraged mother from shooting out of hate: that was more than laudable.
     The troll settled then for shame that she'd been slow and guilt that she had allowed a fellow human to get that close to such blind anger.
   
     And self-loathing for letting compassionate attempts to gain trust override simple precautions...and bringing destruction into the lives of a shop full of gnomes.

     She leaned in to Dana's ear. “If I had my way,” she growled, “we'd glue your mouth shut so you couldn't go bippity boppity boo, that way you could see the damage you've done.  But this works too...smell is a powerful memory trigger and you can't shut it out like you can with your eyes.  So go ahead: smell your handiwork, get that taste in the back of your mouth.  Get a whiff of burned flesh—yours and others.  Take in that ozone, that ash.  Remember that it came from your actions, and yours alone.
   
     Reflect on your reason why:  if you were trying to suicide bomb, you failed big time.  If you thought to escape, you underestimated the crew that extracted you in the first place.  If you thought the blast would get people's attention, congratulations...you have everyone's attention.
   
     I thought you could be reasoned with...that with a little time I could convince you to see the Genie in the bottle your little bottle-opener will release.  I know now, I was a fool to think you could see the havoc you will wreck.  I see I was wasting my breath, if you can fire-bomb a room because you don't think it can hurt you.
   
     But I want you to take the smell in with every breath you take, and remember.  Because this is the smell of your future legacy, Sunshine."

[gilga]

Marco observes the drama with hatter and is left with more questions - mainly who exactly are their host and was it luck to encounter them ? them knowing about club and Feathers - why would choppers be into these things? - His mental capacity was off - but Arc was alive. We had that and it was nice - "I wish my mother would fight for me with that passion... not in that manner tough"  He thought and then approached Arc and the rest and said "Arc, I am glad you are alive! I called Blake and he'll be here soon hopefully we can get this night over with."

Then he spoke to Firefly, still a bit awkward to face her. "You heal very well - I never knew that healing could be so accurate. But so many high powered healing spells fireballs and chaos spells we cannot leave this place before we clean up. Can you do that? Sadly I myself cannot, I simply do not sense the astral world.  If you cannot I can call Jed - he is a mage that I was working with. He'll do that but I'd hate involve another one in our problems... One thing sure the marks of magic need to be wiped up from this place before we leave. " 


Firefly can of course do it, any awakened that perceive the astral can manipulate spell signatures until they fade into the background count disappear that is.  It is a bit unusual that Marco cannot do that.

[Shaman_Yuri]

I stay quiet while events between the gnomes and our leaders take place.  During that time, I work through astral perception to begin the healing of the area.  I'd started by the time Marco was able to mention it and I just nod to the man.  I'm impressed he thought of it if he's not able to sense astral.  I've worked with adepts before who didn't.

By the time I'd finished, things seemed to be calming down a bit.  I can tell Arc is still feeling a lot of emotion, so I decide it's Yelena-sense I will try and pull aside to share something I think should be considered as we determine how to dispose of the mage.

"Yelena-sensei," I whisper up to the woman in question while everyone else's attention is elsewhere, "can I talk to you a moment?  Away from that?" I add, indicating the bound mage and menacing troll standing over her.  I watch the taller elf nod and we move to a far corner of the room.  "Yelena-sensei, I know you're considering handing the mage off to the government as possibly the lessor of the evils.  I just wanted you to know that the data from the safe back at the warehouse tells me those involved in developing this drug includes high members of government in Seattle, America, and Tir Tairngire.  I'm still sifting the data, but I'd be more worried about governments than I would be about a gang who just wants to use it to make money."

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc groaned a bit as her head swam for a moment, but a quick shake of the noggin and a scan of the room revealed the situation enough for her to catch up.    Marco and Tuska have that mage slitch..Yelena is with us, and Firefly saved me...frag all, that's twice now...but everyone's back on the job.  Then that means I am too.  C'mon, Arc, pull your hoop together, this ain't a time to be soft..

She slowly managed to get herself back to her feet, a little shaky but nontheless present.  She stayed silent during Alyce's tirade, gave a glance to Hatter in surprise, and then focused her attention back on the leader.  Taking the credstick, she instinctively swiped it to check the contents, letting out her breath as she blinked a couple times.  Clearing her throat, she gave a nod.

"You're too kind, Alyce.  Can't excuse what happened here.  You know it was a frag up, I know it was a frag up, and you are generous in what you took in compensatin'.  We'll be outta here shortly, no more trouble."  She gave pause, glancing over at Tuska, who seemed preoccupied with Dana.  "..that being said, if Hatter knows me, he can confirm I ain't lying about this.  Not all the drek I do is trouble.  And I'm not lying when I say I could use a place to send all the drek I can't fix.  I could also use a good source for parts in a pinch, ya feel me?"  She offered a genuine, if not tired, smile as she lowered her head, hands working at her commlink.  "I...also want to come by again, under better circumstances.  To check on Chesh and her littleun, you feel me? I don't deserve it, but I still wanna if you let me"  She withdrew a datastick, loaded with her commcode and garage location, and offered it to him.  A gem of info with no trace-ability to either of them.  "Get you and yours safe, we'll handle our end from here"

With that finished, she watched Alyce depart with Hatter, then looked to Marco with his information, her eyes flaring open as her vigor seemed to kick in.  "Marco, No.  We can't disturb these halfers after all the drek they just put up.  That we fragging caused.  And you told them to come HERE?!  You're fraggin' kidding me right?  That's put them on the fraggin' map, omae!  This is a chop shop in east downtown.  You think chopping up cars is legit biz, omae?"  She let out her breath, holding her head.  "Ain't nothin ta be undone.  Call up Blake, we need some answers.  Like what is this slitch so special for that we need her alive?  I'd just as soon deliver a body bag out front and call it a night."  She held her head, wincing a bit as her stance listed momentarily to one side.

"nnnh...frag all...that was low drek.  Beyond forgiveness.  Call him.  Conference call.  We all gonna hear what this tusker's gotta say"

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena considers what Firefly tells her.  Shaking her head she frowns and says, "Yelena not know, decker mage.  Governments and gangs mostly same.  We have mage.  Mage have knowledge.  So sell mage to club?  To gangers?  To government?  All bad choices.  But cannot keep with us.  See what mage do when scared?  She not safe on own.  Not safe with us or others.  But kill mage not good either.  Someone know same knowledge.  Others get some way.  And gangers not only interested money.  See to people who use it and have same problem.  Only hope sanity prevent use of weapon.  So we make best choice we can and hope is good choice.  So Yelena choose government as best bad choice."  She shrugs her shoulders.  "Is crapshoot.  Must make one choice or kill mage.  What is choice of decker mage?"

[gilga]

Marco's emotions boils when Arc suggests killing her and he retreat to the blind folded mage. That said Marco keeps his cool resolve and watches the surrounding in case anyone is planning murder tonight. He say calmly and bluntly
"They give us a buzz - we take Dana out and they leave. It is not like we are going to invite them in for tea and give them the house tour. There is no neon  "Chop shop" sign outside - it looks just like a building like many others in the Barrens.  --  Besides that, these people are not after stolen cars - we know enough about them to understand that.

About murder - I'll assume that it is just anger rather than a practical suggestion.

We made a deal, accepted payment we were hired to do something by someone that you and Yelena personally feel indebted to. When they took Feathers and I wanted to bolt, it was your determination that got me to stay.  You gave your word and you were going to do what needed to be done or die trying.  No amount of reasoning about the danger level ever got you to even consider bolting. It was a matter of principle for you. What have changed now? Now we completed that mission, a debit repaid we deliver a person that can tell them everything they ever wanted to know.

What do you think what is going to happen if you are going to chat up Blake and give him the 100 questions?

I will tell you exactly what is going to happen. You will tell Blake that you have not yet made up your mind about delivering the mage. Blake will tell that to his employer - the same one that has no commitment toward us and no sympathy toward us. The same employer that would not even meet me even when I had a pretty strong position. What will that employer do?

He can start convincing us about their motivations and explain that they are actually the 'good guys' or he can send an HTR team to take what we have by force?

There are sinners straddling both sides of the fence Arc, but we gave our word to a particular evil and we have to deliver. There is no backing off now - We are not saying anything to Blake that indicates doubt of the deal. I might have been to hasty to contact him but I do not feel safe in here and it is unfair to keep Dana in here any longer than we have to. She is emotionally unstable and when she is afraid or angry she can shoot fireballs. I'll try to keep her confidence up and make sure she that she behaves until the drop, she wants this deal too and believes it is in her best interest too. I do not see any other way"

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc's eyes widened a bit as she stared openly at Marco as he talked, and talked.  When she could get in a word edgewise, her hands were balled into fists as she lowered her gaze, her words growling out through a set jaw.

"So much talking, not sayin' a whole lot.  Marco, we brought this slitch here, and look what happened.  We almost destroyed a family.  I cannot-"  She chokes on her words a bit, fighting back the coming tears by averting her gaze for a moment before refocusing, glancing around at the others.

Her shoulders slumped as she let out her breath.  "I won't ask again Marco.  Tell him we're meeting outside at the end of the street in the next few minutes."  She bit her lip as she turned away for a moment, holding her head and hastily wiping at her eyes. 

[gilga]

Va Bene, That I can do. said Marco
He then raised his voice "Yelena Firefly - we're bolting" 
He types and then shows it to Arc if she agrees with the message before sending.
>>We're meeting about 300 meters from the last address, it is a T junction cannot miss it. There is a small deli nearby.