[gilga]

“It’s alright you can go back to work. I’ll go talk to the squatters. See how they feel about clearing your way.”


The next several minutes Marco goes and talk to the squatters in the building. Marco just approaches them in his usual self confidence and charm. “Come drink some coffee it the real deal” He said, and despite the suspicious looks Linda signaled them to seat with him. “You want something!” She stated. “Well, everybody wants something. Ya know. We are building here something good, a soup kitchen a big one using the remainders of the prison kitchen. It will make life a lot easier in the hood. We’ll also renovate the buildings here and make them residentials, I have absolutely no problem with you staying here but the place must be flawless otherwise the city will not give us a go.”

“And where do you expect us to go wiseguy?”

Despite the hostility Marco keeps his cool and smile “Don’t guilt me into solving your problems. , You survived so far in a this neighborhood environment I am sure you can find somewhere to go. The constructor said that he need this building at wednesday. So tuesday night you are leaving... but not to be unreasonable I’ll get you a nice dinner pizza, something to drink. I’ll come myself and eat with you, what do you say?  It is for a good cause.”

“So you are going to buy us pizza and you expect us to just leave?”

“Well... Let's not play the what if game. I expect you to leave period. If you do not leave than we have a problem... and well you guys have enough to handle without angering powerful and otherwise friendly people.”
Perhaps Marco does not choose the right words, but it is not what he say it is how he say it and the coffee really helps. Once Linda tries it she soften up, “You are not so bad for a suit. Make it something more... interesting than Pizza and you got yourself a deal. We’ll give you no troubles. ”

“ I am Linda I usually do the talking in our family,  Jon is our muscle and Megabyte, he fixes stuff. We’re always looking for some Yeltz if you need.

A suit ? I am wearing a leather Jacket and my most plain of clothes, and I am a suit. Marco shakes hands.  “I’ll make you some wonderful pasta, not very practical but you have your entire life to be practical... Tuesday night will be enjoyable, and if I have something for you I’ll definitely contact you.“

“So Marco, are you the owner of this place?” Asks Megabyte

“Oh I wish I had that kind of money, I am just keeping eye for the property making sure things progressing fluently. Not everyday someone actually creates something in the Barrens. I am happy to help.”

Jon asks “So you are the muscle of this place? really a skinny keeb?”

“Don’t change your mind now, instead of hiring some thugs.  I am making you some nice pasta we agreed on that.” Marco laughs.

Jon seems serious but after a  moment he joins and the rest too.
“ You are alright Marco, other people would start with dogs and thugs it is nice to be asked nicely for a change. We kind of saw this one coming when the construction started.”

After a short while I am back, “nice people these squatters, family they are not but they have each other, probably getting by by minor burglary, scavenging and whatever they can. “  I think, no sign of serious gangs yet, but no place is empty, there is some gang in there every garbage pile has some ganger that calls it its own. We’ll have to deal with these types later. For now things seems to be going smoothly.

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc gave a nod at Yelena's question.  It was definitely a serious one.  Yelena is doing something big, and she's going to need people that are committed to her and willing enough to go this distance.  It won't be easy..  She was about to open her mouth when she heard a small voice pipe in behind her, whipping her head around to see Firefly walking over...tenderly by the looks of it. 

Poor 'ken needs some rest, barely recovered from last night  Arc could tell by the girl's posture and the way her words were almost strained out of her throat, the youngest of the three speaking up and offering herself to Yelena's task.  The mechanic girl opened her mouth to respond, but gave some pause, simply letting her breath exhale as she lowered her gaze to the ground, smiling as she crossed her arms under her chest, leaning to one side.

"Heh...I don't wanna speak for Yelena, but the choice has gotta be yours, girly.  This won't be like the GGs, but I think you already know that..."  Tilting her head at Firefly briefly, her smile broadened as she turned to the elf.  "Tch...hell, of my crew, Firefly's the only one I woulda picked to be capable of doing this.  The others are too young for me to take em out there in good conscience.  She's proven herself, I would be dead in an alley or worse if it wasn't for her."

Taking a pause from that, she pinched her brow and shook her head.  "As for others...I don't know what's going on between you and him, and if you can convince him, more power to you Srui.  Last time he wasn't keen on your work, and I recall him panicking and being as much hindrance as help.  But...his help came through in a good pinch, there's that to consider..."

"...Ambrose probably is a no.  He isn't that engaged in us anyhow.  Jed may help, but again, this is high risk work and he might not want a part.  Blake is unknown too..but he will wanna know if he's helping orchestrate the Stardust deal that this is going on.  When it boils down to it.."  She sighed, shaking her head.  "You probabably not going to get more help on bonds and ties alone, Srui.  I'm going to assume these are bounty ops?  There might be sharing involved, but cred's a wiz motivator to say the least.  You pick the team, it's your show, aight?"

Turning back to Firefly, she still spoke to Yelena.  "That being said, I think we've found a decker to help us with the Stardust.  Firefly...remember how I was talking about how I was hired by a more dangerous club to ice that warehouse?  Well, doing that getting me closer to them, and the idea is to shut em down.  They're doing weird wizbang with some control chemicals that short out tech and drek.  How d'you feel about taking em down, hm?"

Arc smiled at her, gauging her as she mulled over her answer, the rigger multitasking as she worked through her AR overlay.   She remembered the commcode that Hrock had given her for the original owner.  Pulling up an ARO, she mentally jotted down a message and sent it off, quickly composing another message for her Vruk and then for Yelena.

<<@Tuskaloosa:  Hoi.  Name is Arc.  You don't know me, but you know my chummer Hrock.  Letting you know that there's a certain engine what has changed hands, namely mine.  I know about the deal he gave you about it, and am willing to honor it as well.  I know it's a custom piece, which means most factory designs won't fit it, and I wanna rebuild this bad boy to full justice.  I'm willing to work out a deal if you, say, come by my place {ARO ATTACHED} before this evening to talk specs?  Three knocks on the garage door, holla>>

<<Jaime, it's Tessa.  I need to talk to you tonight, important.  Don't wanna worry you, so I promise I'm okay.  Your Vruk still has all her limbs...that she had when you saw her last, anyway.  Heh.  Miss you>>

<<Yelena, Arc.  At least for now, money won't be a terrible issue and we can save up.  I"m splurging a bit on these kids, but I netted in 275K once we sell off some paydata and SINs.  I'm still freaking out!>>

Distractions aside, Arc redirected her attention to the other two, awaiting their responses with a calm demeanor despite her turbulent thoughts inside of going to mother-fragging Europe...

[ismilealot]

@ Tusk  Hrock's answer comes about an hour later, >Yo Tusk, gotta guy builds comms who swears they're as good as an Emporoer fer four fifty. But, they're about twice as big. The ones I've sold haven't come back. So, at least their reliable. Or, I kin get you one without any baggage attached fer five fifty. Case has a crack in it though so I wouldn't recommend getting it near water. That's all I've got fer now but I could keep an eye out fer ya. I do sometimes get lucky. Also I came across an engine what fits yer specs. But, it looks like it's been through a blender. I passed it onto a friend o' mine what ken fix 'er up mebbe. I let 'er know about our agreement and she'll give ya first crack at it once it's fixed. Gave 'er yer code so's she ken keep ya in the know about it.<<.

[Duck N. Cover]

Spit-takes are a funny thing; you see them in Trid comedies all the time.  To Tuskaloosa however, they always seemed staged:  the surprise that causes the drinker to sputter just happens to arrive exactly when the drinker is in the act.  That soykaf may have been sitting there for fifteen minutes and the 'gotcha' waits until exactly as Mr. Jones is in the process of taking his first, deep swig before unloading?  Real life was nowhere near as plotted.
   
     It was only fitting then that she was halfway though her mug of water when the message hit her box.  She paused, then saw the first part and continued drinking...until she reached the last half.

   She jacked out, still dripping and floundered for a dryish towel.
   One dryer face—and Rigger Control Console—later, she jacked back in.

   Her emotions rolled and pounced on each other like a pair of tiger cubs.  One side hoped the bike that had been “through a blender” was a different, unloved troll-sized custom build.  She was flexible: if it could be resuscitated she could give it a caring rider.
   The other side hoped against hope that it was really hers.  If she returned to Detroit on a bike with all but its heart rebuilt, Poppa would understand.
   A bike with absolutely no connection to home at all would take some explaining...

   Tuskaloosa wisely set the mug down when the second message arrived.  She read it, then checked the chronometer and began plotting a course to Arc's “place”.

That done, she drafted and sent two messages.

<<@Hrock:  Twice as big still sounds pretty small to me.  Need to hold on it though--can I get back to you later tonight?>>

and

<<@Arc:  You have my attention.  Won't know for certain if the engine you have is mine until I see it, but I'm willing to adopt a stray too.  I'll meet and deal: I'm not anticipating nuyen to flow tonight.>>

A couple of positive responses later, she jacked out and grabbed her coat and helmet.

[Mercy Merchant]

Soon after moving into the garage, Yelena had taken the opportunity to place car mirrors , shiny hubcaps, and other reflective surfaces in various innocuous places around the garage.  A replacement side-view mirror for a '67 Honda Spirit had been placed in a convenient box of spare parts and was on the counter behind Arc, providing Yelena with a good view of the garage to her side and rear.  She has observed the young human decker mage approaching, wondering if she was going to be bold enough to try to overhear the conversation she was having with her Srui'ken.  Smiling inside but not giving anything away, Yelena turns at Firefly's words, staring at her with deep violet eyes.  She nods and replies, lowering her voice.  "Yelena talk too loud.  Decker girl hear much.  Arc say Firefly do good.  Yelena pleased." 

Yelena moves a bit, putting herself between the decker and the rest of the room, but now able to use a hubcap she had hung on a wall to observe the room behind her.  She lowers her voice still more, so that only Arc and Firefly can hear.  "Firefly is Muslim, yes?.  Maybe not time for pray.  Can decker girl take life?  Yelena go where death waits.  Kill Vory traitors.  Firefly want that?  Live with self?   No game.  No Green Goblins.  No Halloweeners.  Death and shadows.  Firefly go all in or fold."

[Shaman_Yuri]

Lobotomy plans aside, Yelena's question was not unexpected.  While I had already considered how to respond to it, I still pause to give it deep through once again.  Her stare compels such reflection.

"Allah is merciful and understands when the hand He deals us requires us to be...flexible," I answer slowly, never wavering from the elf's gaze despite her unreal violet eyes occasionally flicking away from me. 

I surprise myself by never stuttering once as I continue, "Those of my faith would not be the warriors they are known for being if we did not have that dispensation.  My grandfather has told me much of my heritage and I chose to walk the path of my grandfather's grandfathers the moment I was spirited away from Singapore to live even as my parents spilled their entrails in disdain to those whose lies had sealed their fate." 

I pause again just a beat, feeling for the right words...words that were from my heart and not just the right ones to impact Yelena.  "The shadows chose me, Yelena-sensei.  The moment I left the Arcology, I died and became shadow.  I'm all in."

There's one thing I don't add.  A piece of information which might impress her, on the off chance she believed it and didn't ascribe the boast to foolish youthful bravado.  Or it might cause her to kill me on the spot.

I'm not as innocent as she thinks I am.  I've killed.

Once.

That Vory counter op?  The decker who damn near killed me?

He never decked again.

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena looks at the young human for a moment, trying to divine some sort of lie or hesitation in the words.  Finally, she nods.  "Firefly have words and courage and skill.  Yelena teach to survive.  Firefly might not like what become.  Shadow gives all.  Demands much.  Firefly want?"  She straightens back up and waits for the girl to say something.

[Shaman_Yuri]

I just nod in response to Yelena's last question, not trusting my voice not to stumble over more spoken words.  I then look away before edging back in the direction of the bathroom once Yelena is again focused on Arc, only fleeing into it when it wouldn't be noticeable to those in the garage.  The stress of the conversation and the realization of what lies ahead merge with the very real injuries in my gut and I heave over the sink.  Not having eaten in nearly a day, only bile and a bit of blood result.  When it's show time, I'll be all business.  I've always been that way.  I was trained that way and the result is that I am damned good when the drek hits the fan.  Last night shows I am still that way and it gives me confidence and hope. 

But afterwards, when all is done and I have too much time to think...that's the hard part.  Or before, when the gravity of what's to come really hits. 

Like now.

Grandfathers of my grandfather, am I worthy of you?  Will your granddaughter be up to the task?

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena watches the girl leave then turns to Arc.  "Decker girl afraid.  Arc should be afraid.  Have rigger man.  Think hard on choice."  Yelena gets Arc's message as she turns.  Looking back at her Srui, her eyes widen a bit as she nods. 

Yelena walks to the living area and softly closes the door behind her before going to the small bathroom.  The young decker is heaving into the sink when Yelena enters the small room.  She makes little noise, but it is pretty obvious that the girl is not paying attention to much more than what is coming up through her system.  Yelena quietly takes a small hand towel from a rack near the shower and moves to stand next to the mage.  She reaches over to turn the cold water on and dips the towel with one hand as she moves the girl's hair aside with the other, exposing her neck.  Placing the wet towel on Firefly's neck, Yelena says, "Coolness help.  And use toilet next time.  Sink harder to clean.  Yelena know." 

Yelena holds the towel in place until the girl finishes heaving, noting the blood mixed with the bile.  The girl must be worse off than she admits.  Much more and Yelena would get her to the nearby clinic, but it seems to be lessening.  When the heaving stops Yelena helps the girl clean up the sink then takes Firefly by the arm to lead her into the bedroom.  She points to Arc's bed as she kicks a small trash can over.  "Firefly sit.  Listen.  Use can if need.  Now Yelena talk.  Yelena not lie.  Want scare decker girl.  Girl say ready but Yelena know better.  Not say bad about Firefly.  No one ready at beginning.  So Firefly sit and listen.  Decker girl maybe 15?  Maybe 16?"  The slight nod tells Yelena that she is close.  "Firefly let man touch?  Or woman?  Kiss?  Make love?  Firefly been raped yet?"  Again, the girl's body language says more than enough.  "Yelena think not.  Yelena want story, so tell story first.  Then Firefly tell story.  Yelena cannot teach without knowing."

"But Firefly listen first.  Yelena born in 2010.  Was UGE.  Parents not want.  Go other village.  Toss Yelena in garbage near church.  Priest man find and save Yelena.  Keep three years.  Then Russian State Security find Yelena.  Kill priest.  Take Yelena camp 14.  Much UGE there.  All children.  More come every day.  Scientist men experiment on children.  Cut, burn, amputate, make sick, torture for pain.  Every day much pain.  Much death.  Seven years.  Yelena hear voice in night.  Yelena listen to shadow talk.  Give self to shadow and live when others die.  Then Goblinization.  Trolls break from camp.  Take Yelena.  Yelena start killing humans.  Any humans.  All humans.  Yelena kill for vengeance.  For anger." 

Yelena twists sideways so that the girl can see her back.  "Art not just art.  One skull one kill.  Large skulls tree and ground for adults.  Small skulls for children.  Yelena bring much death.  Much evil.  Several years in gang to kill humans.  Then security trap and capture.  Send Yelena Karibor prison.  Join gang after gang to survive.  Much sex.  Much drugs and vodka.  And much killing.  End up Vory gang.  Worst gang.  But family to members.  Vory not care Yelena is Keeb.  Vory care Yelena say oath and do what told.  Yelena swear oaths.  Was Vory.  No, Yelena is still Vory.  Always be Vory.  Yelena kill much in prison.  Yelena enjoyed killing.  Yelena taken deep into shadows dark shadows.  Yelena survive.  Do what need to survive.  Yelena still listened to shadows.  And to Vory.  Then Yelena escape prison.  Go Moscow with Vory gang.  Three years in Moscow.  Three years kill more for Vory."

"Then woman betray Vory.  Betray family.  Kill all gang."  Here, Yelena pulls her tank down a bit to expose the three scars over her heart.  "Here.  Woman shoot Yelena Three times then toss body river.  Yelena dead.  But not dead.  Shadow keep promise save Yelena.  Then Yelena roam places.  Kill people for money.  Kill for sex and drugs and vodka.  Tree very heavy from skulls.  Much death.  Is what Firefly really want?  Shadow protect.  Give life.  But demand all.  Weak perish.  Strong survive.  Firefly must have much strength.  Strong in mind and heart.  Firefly cannot truly walk shadow without kill, without sex, without chance to fail drugs.  All part of shadow.  Shadow walkers survive and grow.  Or die horrible ways."

"Many live edge of shadow.  Like Rabbit.  Like Bootstrap.  Maybe come to full shadow some day.  Maybe die first.  Firefly can stay them.  Learn from them.  Live near shadow.  Edge of shadow.  Come Yelena if want live in shadow.  Firefly say all in.  But not know.  Shadow is place of horror and much death.  But shadow also place for life.  Yelena try leave shadow once.  Never again.  Shadow is life.  Will kill Yelena some day.  But not until finish with Yelena.  So think careful.  Think until tomorrow if want.  The tell Yelena if want come.  If want shadow."

Yelena sits back on her bed.  "Yelena know Firefly have story.  Hands too soft for Barrens life for long.  And have said things about parents.  Kill selves?  Maybe Yaks?  How Muslim girl be Yak?  Yelena listen if want talk."

[gilga]

When I get home I am in for a surprise a message from the Vatican. I decode it joyfully, perhaps finally they will let me talk to my family. Alas I go through the books and offsets and I am skilled by now and decoding only take a few minutes but alas my terror grows deeper with every sentence.  Do the Vatican consider my training completed? They never once asked for a favor the whole time we were here. I make myself a cup of green tea puts Hayden’s  45th. It makes me clear. The music has its own sense of urgency, anticipation that builds up tension. The Farewell symphony, and the name could never be so appropriate.  If Sam sees this potential me, than so does the Vatican and they have deebs on my soul. They OWN me, the only reason that I am still alive is that it took so many years to build me.

They want my correspondence with Melenia and they know about my day job and grew bold enough to flash it to my face. They understand that “honest to god” is not going to cut it, and the text also implies that they expect me to struggle with the request. This apologetic writing makes me suspicious.  If they know about my day job,  can they identify what they see? Can they really think that I am capable of pulling out this level of illusion. One that holds even in the bedroom or under physical investigation?  When I left the Vatican I could barely cast spells. I could cast the pleasure spell and the mind probe spell. Can they even recognise me now? Levitating things, shape changing into birds, into Marta. Into fish in the sea dogs and cats. It is not all, I can also do invisibility, physical mask and mindlink for private communication. I take my time but I am not as hopeless as they feel. Is it my success that sparked their interests? Did they see the potential abuse of my wonderful flexibility to be anything imaginable? Then it strikes me.

I AM READY... it took me two extra years but I am more diverse and more stealthy than anyone of my righteous priest friends. I am the perfect assassin, charming, trustworthy seductive 
with flexible physical appearance. I quickly pick up languages without even trying and even  my demons do not appear christian. My faith itself is disguised into demonic worship pagan belief. I fit the Vatican needs like a glove. I am that assassin that can never be traced back to them. Despite all their evil words I am a success story!  This picture with Ginny is not blackmail. It is admission of my powers, they saw this picture and decided that I am ready.  If only I wasn’t so spiritual about life and their meaning, and if only I did not take Christ so seriously. If only I was a tool with no personal judgement - but despite this skill, my mind is not that of an assassin. Gabriel wants his pawn back and he has a good timing, he is asking for his pawn after it reached the end of the board and crowned itself queen.

Get a drop of power and skill and suddenly the big fish are attracted to you like sharks to a wounded man. I clear my mind, humble - I have no power of my own. I can only serve powerful people, true power is not about throwing fireballs or shooting with a gun. It is about having someone else doing these things for you while you hear classical music. I am the hot new toy, and both Sam and the Vatican wants to put their hands on that skill for their own desires.  A tool that does not want to be a tool... The hammer that grew conscious and self aware. A pacifist knife. J plays a cruel joke on me, or is it the succubus - maybe it is just who I really am. I am good, I am life itself. It is evil and powerful men that try to twist and manipulate me into being their executioner. People that believe that  God is so weak that it needs us to kill for him. They do not believe in God - they are using God for their own political agenda.

I feel my lungs with air, I am sharp creative and paranoid. I am going to develop a new secretive technique of communication. Something that cannot be hacked or eavesdropped because my enemies are numerous and powerful. I summon a minor spirit of man, with the mindlink spell. I send this spirit to Yelena and the spirit establish the mind link spell. I am linked to the spirit and the spirit is linked to Yelena, and I can have a direct magical call with Yelena.

“Scary lady... my past has backfired I was born to be an assassin and with my recent progression into magic, I am going to be activated soon. I need you to relay the following message to this frequency number. It is important this woman may be in trouble.

“ Lady,  the Vatican are after you in some serious suspicions and I feel that they want you killed.They asked for all our correspondence and I am going to give it to them, but the people that asked are not exactly nice, they are killing enemies of the faith. Look I do not care what you did to piss them off so that they want you dead on the other side of the world. Be safe and take precautions you do not contact me from now on. You contact that number and it will reach me in directly, I have no idea what these guys are capable of and how sophisticated they might be. Marco “
...

Did you get it all? good. Now here is the thing, I need to die. Not death ‘death’ but my identity need to be killed. I need fresh SIN and fresh life out of reach of the Vatican and hopefully later out of reach for Sam. Tell Blake that I changed my mind and I’d like to score a deal with him.  Life as I know them have just ended for me, just like that sand castle from yesterday. If I want to keep anything from my soul I need to be no more. “

[Shaman_Yuri]

Talk, she says.  How do I top what she just shared?  Or is that the point?

Until two months ago, my life was storybook.  But do you have to live a life of abuse to be called to the shadows?  Or can't a single life-changing event extinguish the light and place you in darkness?  Make you call darkness home?  What more life changing event can there be than dying?

And what of Yelena?  Is she as hard as she claims now?  Would Arc really call what Yelena describes 'friend'?  Would Arc follow her to Europe, as she seems ready to do?

"Soft hands? I can't argue.  My parents?  I suppose that's as good a place to start as any.  Until two months ago, my father was the regional director for Renraku coporate operations in Southeast Asia.  In another decade or two, he could well have been the CEO of the whole corporation. He certainly had the pedegree.  Marrying a non-Yamato woman and actually sireing a child with her was not exactly career-enhancing, but mother was one of the smartest people in the company and the two of them were almost unstoppable.  Almost...

"You don't get that high in a company without making enemies.  Father knew that, but he wasn't inclined to doubt the loyalties of his friends.  Mother was normally the one to watch his back, but it never occured to her someone would use her to get at him.  They framed her for embezzlement on a scale you couldn't even imagine.  Given time, we could have discovered the flaws in the setup, but it happened at a sensitive time in relations between Renraku and Singapore.  It was expedient to hand over my mother to Singaporan justice and instruct father to commit suppuku...ritual suicide in the Japanese style.  Rather than be dishonored by the stain of being handed over to gaijin, mother joined father in releasing her disdain in the boardroom.

"Naive they were in the end, but not entirely foolish, mother and father.  For years they had made plans in the event catastrophe happened.  They had an arrangement through the Yakuza to get me out of the arcology and have my room burned with a clone in place.  As my parents were eviserating themselves and my bedroom was an inferno of clothes and stuffed animals...and my Renraku deck, I was boarding a container ship which left that night for Seattle.  As best I and the Yak can tell, the ruse worked and I am well and truly dead to everyone who ever knew me."

Not entirely true, I realize as I'm speaking, but I choose not to mention grandmother and grandfather.  They have no role to play in any of this.  They managed to ride out mother's scandal, the last thing I want to do is involve them somehow in my own battles.  I continue by shifting the discussion to myself.

"As far as me, I'm about the best decker of my generation in Renraku or Japan.  I'm not boasting.  I've participated in corporate ops since I was twelve and counterops since I was fourteen.  Perhaps my meat hands aren't callused, but my digital hands are quite rough.  I've battled the best and won far more often than I ran," I glance down and grimace ruefully at my Erika, "although with better equipment."

I look back up and once again meet the elf's alien eyes.  "I owe the Yak a debt, but I am not Yak.  They own my organs, but not my spirit.  I've said it before, the girl who once inhabited this shell died two months ago.  The girl who I am now is someone different."  I hold up my hand.  "These hands soft belong to someone else.  They don't show who I am now.  I helped kill two men last night and I don't feel an iota of guilt about it now."  I place my hands on my belly, not even trying to hide my continued discomfort.  "I put my soul into my spellcasting last night to make sure my people lived and their people didn't, and have no regrets.  I'd do it again...will do it again.

"I am Japanese and I am Arab.  My ancestors are killers and I am their daughter.  Fate has decided that the route of wealth and power will not be mine.  Instead, the path of the warrior, maybe even the assassin, calls me.  Yes, I am Muslim.  My faith can claim some of the most tenacious fighters ever to draw blood.  I swear to them that I will not dishonor them.

"I offer you all this.  My skills, my dedication, my willingness to learn...if necessary my life.  Yelena-sensei, will you teach me?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena listens to Firefly's story in silence, knowing what it must take to let another know.  But Yelena is pleased that the decker feels enough trust to open up.  The story Yelena had told is true, but she has made the shadows seem worse than they are.  Certainly, there is death and all of the other things Yelena has told of, but not everyone in the shadows is like Yelena, although enough are that the girl needs to be warned of the risks.

Yelena sits quietly, listening to the decker girl tell her story.  She has certainly had a rough time of it, but that has not left her beaten down.  When Firefly is finished, Yelena looks into the defiant face of the young human and nods at her.  "Firefly might do in shadows.  Time will tell.  No one just drop into shadows.  Just living this life only puts one on fringe."  She shrugs.  "Most called shadow runners live fringe.  No shame they not know real shadows.  True shadow call out.  Invite.  Firefly know when shadow call.  Yelena help Decker girl find shadow if really want.  Listen.  Watch. Learn."

Yelena looks the girl over, having noted the slight grimaces.  "Firefly hurt?  Not shot.  Sling mojo hurt?  Try too much, maybe?  Go bathroom and clean up.  Tell Yelena if need clinic."

Yelena remains in the bedroom for a bit after the girl goes into the bathroom to clean up.  The spirit that materializes in front of her is a definite surprise.  Yelena has her pistol in hand and is bringing it up as the creature reaches for her.  The touch is not expected and she barely resists firing at the spirit, not that that reaction would have done much good.  She realizes that Marco has found a way to communicate with her and listens to the message.  **Marco troubled.  Need Yelena help.  Yelena send message to friend.  Come talk Yelena.  Find way Marco die.  Then go shadows together.  Share life until Marco tire of Yelena.  Yelena go Europe.  Find Vory traitors.  Kill them.  Marco come help.**

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc stayed silent for the exchange between Firefly and Yelena, blinking a bit as the youngest of the three seemed to find some of her courage.  This only caused the mechanic to smile, her gaze averting as she felt herself swell a little with pride.  I musta picked right..  She thought to herself as Yelena turned her gaze back to Arc, just in time for the little decker to excuse herself.

Yelena's words echoed in her mind as she thought over her response, her expression fading as she closed her eyes, giving a nod.  "I...I am afraid.  Difference is I'm used to being afraid, and I can work under that.  It's what courage is, Srui...strength in fear.  I asked Jaime to talk tonight.  You'll have my response in time, null sheen on that."  Hearing a little noise coming from the bathroom, the human looked up at Yelena with her eyes a little wide, nodding and turning, but grabbing the elf's arm to pause her.  "Gently...she took that pain to save me"

Leaving the two of them to talk, Arc heaved a little sigh as she returned to the garage, grabbing a cup of soycaf and sipping it slowly as she watched the scene before her: Slider7 keenly observing the beast of an engine with Hrock.  Rabbit and Oorah fiddling with a couple other pieces whilst sipping the caf.  Hoppybunny sound asleep snuggled against a squirming Bootstrap.  It all made Arc smile a little, knowing that this was likely the first good night they've all had in a long time.  They deserve it...  As she entered, she let Hrock do the examining whilst she worked on the table with the spoils, fishing out a set of basic credsticks and her commlink, getting to work on payments to her crew. 

Slotting the sticks up, she loaded an even 1,500 onto each of them in five full sets, keeping them in hand as she wordlessly stepped over to each in turn.  Starting with Rabbit and Oorah, she handed each of them, one, seeing their eyes go wide as they shakily took them from the grownup.  Turning to Rabbit, Arc spoke softly.  "Stay in touch next few days, aight?  I got s'moh for all y'all but I finna set it up first, aight?"  Smiling, she turned and slid up behind Bootstrap and Hoppybunny, wordless handing the blushing mage his pay whilst slipping the youngest one's into her little fingers, taking great care not to wake her.  Finally, stepping up next to Hrock, Slider7 got his, his own eyes going a bit wide at the gesture.  With all that taken care of , she turned to her "uncle".

"Got in touch with your troll friend and think she's coming here.  I don't know you relationship with her, so this be a chance to kip out, amirite?  Thanks, Tary'kart.  For everythin'"  She smiled as she ran her hands over the workmanship, starting to visualize how it will all be built...

<<@Tuskaloosa{Arc}: All null sheen by me, oma-e.  I'll be here>>

[gilga]

What is it about Europe thinks Marco, “Yellena that was like a million years ago... Your old enemies could have died many deaths by now. Humans and orcs do not live that long - but you may be able to kill some keebs and dwarfs if they did not took too many drugs or got shot by some random act of violence. There are so many ways they could have die by now. 

You waited like 20 years, whats the sudden interest? Do not get me wrong, I am totally in for a bloody eurotrip with you. Where do you want to meet?  Can you bring good tech person?  I need some data extracted from my comlink and chipped. I am embarrassed to say that I have no idea how to give the Vatican people what they want. If I do not get them the data they need they will be suspicious and I Will not make it to Europe. “


Marco then take Blake >>> Blake, I changed my mind. I will do what it take but I need some physical compensation. We'll talk when you can meet. 

So one way or another I am going to be a killer, it is not like I haven't spent all my life preparing. I sigh and think about all the things that are going to end, that innocence.   I just wanted to live my life and be happy... I killing some Vory geezers is an odd foreplay but what the hell. The heart wants what the heart wants.

[ismilealot]

@ Arc, Subaru & Yelena  The kids give you the small chin raise that is the Barrens acknowledgement and thanks. and they each take a minute to carefully hide the credstick. Rabbit takes Hoppy's out of her hand and hides it and then wakes her sister. "Hey Hoppy, we paid. We pay breakfast and blankets. But, sneaky all stuff Hoppy. Someone steal. We did good. Arc say maybe more work, more meals. But, no tell, sneaky all or Darren stops." Hoppy is nodding her head seriously, listening carefully to her sister. But, at the mention of Darren she looks scared and her mouth zips tight. She nods her head yes. It's her only answer to her sister who hugs her hard. Rabbit turns and cocks her head signaling to the rest that it's time to leave. They go then, quickly and quietly, but with their backs a little straighter than thye were before. At that Hrock turns to you and says, "I gotta be going to Cricket. I'll get ya the comms in a day, but not more than two."

@ Arc Jaime answers you, >>It'll have to be late babe. Work called and their short tonight. Guy called in sick so I'm pulling a double. Love ya and I'll see ya later.<<