[SgtBoomCloud]

Oh HELL no she didn't...!

Arc was perfectly content to hold the pace, figuring that the troll biker would need a moment to get a feel for the King Scorpion...seeing as how the balance, motor drive, and the wheel axle system were all strikingly different from the custom design laying in her garage awaiting a rebuild.  Still, she wasn't about to go easy on Tuskaloosa, as the Jade Dragons for sure hella wouldn't.

The first stage of this test run was definitely a handling one.  With the number of turns and swerves that Arc initiated, it was a surprise that either of their bikes weren't squealing in the tires.  The weather was the big factor, a lesson Arc learned long ago: colder temperature, less tire pressure, more grip.  For about a half mile she kept the tight turns up before the pair opened up to a throughway, opening up for a nice straightaway to work on gearshifts and raw power.

And the tap on her hand, that she most certainly WASN'T expecting, was what she was waiting for.

"Oohhhh, you think you sumsum special slitch finna frag up this slitch up in heah, AIGHT.  HOOOO!"

Letting off a feral howl of challenge, Arc shifted a gear with a simple flick of her foot and sped off, keeping pace with the troll as they zoomed off.  A few hairpin turns and dead straights later and she was nearly caught up with the biker.  A few gangers in the area whooped as they flashed past them, eager to see a race and recognizing the local mechanic on sight and style.  As they cut through an alley onto a side street, the human was practically capable of tapping the troll's leg...

But a moment later, the troll would look back after hearing the screech of tires and see the mechanic stopped dead in the street, staring intently at some inconspicious piece of wall and curb.

Inside of her head, Arc was reeling a bit as she recognized the spot.  She hadn't realized it, but they were passing through the neighborhood where the Smiley Showdown went down...and that spot was where she ended up crashing Yelena's Scorpion.  The last memory the girl had was laying there by the curb, unable to move, nerves shut down as she stared into the sky, fading into unconsciousness..

She could be seen with a hard expression, fighting down what could be surmised as...pain?  Her leg was out to steady the humming bike beneath her as her hands let go of the handles.  Her left hand...the flesh one...was reaching up to her right shoulder, feeling where her flesh ended and her chrome began, feeling an aching sensation.   This was a place of memories...her crash course in the shadows.  Literally.

She sat there a moment before she heard a motor pull up next to her, Arc shifting with a start and looking up at the taller lady.  "Yeah, sorry..." She muttered out quietly, scratching her head and withdrawing her flesh hand away from her shoulder.  "Memories and drek like that, yknow...I'm good to go, it's null sweat."

[Duck N. Cover]

     You didn't think they'd stop just because we passed them...Yeah, I know a break would put 'em in your teeth, but that's not the point!  Your rump is in range of their teeth—now's the time for speed!  We get fancy later!

     Try as she might however, Tuskaloosa was fighting a losing battle with Arc.  No matter how beefy the King's engine was in comparison to her weight, the same was just as true of Arc and the smaller scorpion.  It was down to familiarity with the equipment and the terrain; Arc had the advantage in both.
     
     She grinned at the holler from a knot of curbside gangers: she's even got the bloody home field advantage!
   
     Tuskaloosa was down to hairpin turns and zig-zags through sidestreets and parking lots when she heard the squeal of tires behind her.  A quick check showed no overt reason for Arc's stop; she gave herself time to slow a bit before gunning into a 180 and rolling back the way she came.
   
    Regular eyes were hard enough for her to read; she had no clue what to look for in the human's cybereyes as she idled up.
     The grip the young woman had on her own shoulder spoke volumes however.  Before the troll could pull out a medkit though, she gave a full-body shiver and seemed to come back to herself.
     Arc was quietly apologetic, muttering about 'memories and dreck like that'.

     Tuskaloosa would have liked to have said she understood; she had no clue how bad the “dreck” had been at this innocuous little street, and wasn't going to claim she did.  She hoped Arc's 'date' had a frame of reference.
    If I were Marco, I'd suggest ice cream.  Wait...

     Quickly she fished the box from her pocket and opened it up.  The new commlink eagerly woke as she plugged into it.  First his address...and then...

   “...Tuska?”

   The quick response sealed the deal.  She jacked out, then held out the plug.  “Let's synch maps...unless your hot date is already on fire...”

   Arc fumbled quickly for her rig plug.

   “Here's the place,” the troll said as she placed an AR on the ex-ganger's map. “Meet me there,”  she finished as she retracted her cord.  She placed a hand on Arc's shoulder. “And Arc?”
   “What?”
   “You're still It.”

_   _   _


     Arc seemed in slightly better spirits as they pulled to a stop.  “Can we call the game over?”
   
     “Since I'm 'It'?”  The troll pulled off her helmet with a lopsided grin. “Sure.”
   
     “So, we're here,” Arc sighed as she pulled her goggles down around her neck.  “Where's 'here'?”
   
     “A friend's place,”  Tuskaloosa said as the door opened. “Arc, meet Arr-Arr-Arr.”

     “You got here fast,” the giant packrat called brightly as he reached the porch rail.  Then he saw the King Scorpion.  “Dat better not be da reasn' yer here.”
   
     “Of course not.  Arc's a mechanic...she did some work on it and we're on the test drive.”
   
     “Ah.  ...A mechanic ya say?”
   
     “...Yeah.”  Arc could have sworn his eye gleamed as she shook his hand.
   
     “Den take 'em 'round back n' come in.”  He waved over at a wooden gate. “Too cold ta be standin' out here.”
   
     A short walk later—through one of the most eclectic assortments of lawn ornaments that the mechanic had ever seen—brought them through a sliding crystal-plas door and down into a spacious sunken living room.  The recicladore nodded proudly as Arc took it in.  “Place hadda basement, so was easy ta bring ta troll code.  Upstairs iz storage.”
   
     “Where's the box Arr,” Tuskaloosa called from the hallway. “Storage or the Spare Parts Room?”
   
     “Spare Part.”

     “Can I ask what this is about?”
   
     “You don't--?  She didn't--?  Tusk...”
   
    “It was a surprise,” the female troll called as she re-entered the room, a bulky box in her arms.  She set the box down, hopped down to the living room floor and took the box again. “Your first challenge,” she said as she placed her load on the floor, “is to guess what this is.”
   
     “If you don't, how--”
   
     “Oh, we know what it is,” Tuskaloosa nodded conspiratorially at their host. “I want to see if you do, too.”
   
     “You know I have a shop—I don't fix things for free.”
   
    “I know that boss...I'm not asking you to.  What I need is a second opinion on which parts are beyond hope, so this big guy can keep an eye out for the replacements he'll need to find.”
   
     “That so...aright.  I can't promise anything though.”  Arc gave a sigh and reached for the box's flaps.  “So what have we...wait.  Is that what I think it is?”
   
    “What do you think it is?”  On the outside, Tuskaloosa was as calm as she could keep herself.  On the inside, she was setting the hook and reeling the line in with glee.
   
     “...A Segway?!”
   
     “First generation.  We think there's one and a half in there—we're not sure.”
   
     If the mechanic had heard the answer however, she gave no sign as she shuffled parts around and muttered to herself.

     Distraction therapy accomplished.  Tuskaloosa stretched and leaned over to her friend. “Can we get her a hot soykaf and a 30 minute wake-up call?” she murmured softly. “She's got a hot date tonight.”

[SgtBoomCloud]

Arc had to admit to herself...she wasn't too sure about what to make of the place Tuskaloosa was taking her to.  But as the rather odd-looking troll emerged from the door, the smell and sight gave her a pretty good idea of what he did for a living.  Still, it was Tuska this time who was sharing a part of her life with the human , and Arc founding herself lifting her chin in greeting.

Ach'Valaa, skraa'cha, omae."  Was what she uttered throatily before she was led inside. The place was cluttered...that much was clear, even when they descended into this trog's living space.  When the large box was presented, Arc was more than a little surprised.  These fraggers were dust collectors LONG before i was born...frag, this is odd tech...  Nodding in agreement to the challenge, the mechanic grinned and flicked her goggles over her eyes, using the enhancers to scan over each part while the ladytroll coaxed the man out of some soycaf.

When they were alone for a few moments, Arc gave a little pause in her work, not daring to look up at her as she cleared her throat and focused her thoughts.  "I got into a scrap there."  She said flatly without looking up.  "You're wondering why I stopped in that spot.  About three weeka four ago, you mighta heard some drek on the trids about some serial killings or drek like that.  Blood mage with a bound spirit, really nasty...KE was gonna wait a couple months then glass this whole hood up.  So me, Yelena, and a few others rose up to deal with the issue ourselves.   It worked...some people got out, some didn't."  Her jacket off, she lifted up her right arm, the pale lighting of the room reflecting off the work of chrome.  "Heh...guess you could say I fall into a bit of both descriptions, eh..."

She sighed a little, picking up a gearbox and eyeing it cooly.  "I don't regret it though.  I did somethin', and it made a difference around here.  Not many people can say that.  Plus, I wouldn't a met my Vruk if I hadn't been shipped off to the hospital.  Funny how that works, no?"  The mechanic's smile returned as she lifted her soycaf up, taking a sip and putting the gearbox aside.

Turning to business, she glanced up at Tuskaloosa and Arr-Arr-Arr, gesturing to all the parts.  "Y'all was close about there being a Segway and a half up in here.  Problem is you just don't got a full one.  Plenty of dupli'ed parts and drek, but the hand sensor system is fried, and the gyroscopes are finna bust out if they actually get used.  Y'won't find all the parts either...not easily.  Naw, you're gonna wanna try to work in an updated system...won't be hard to do, the gyro's can at least be a straight swap.  Externally, you'll get the same drek, but a rewiring will get it to specs.  Nice find~"

Handing the empty cup back, she bowed her head again.  "Thanks for the look.  Was fun.."  Turning to the lady troll, Arc glanced at her chronometer and gave a nod.   "I'm probably finna get to my Vruk within the next hour...a little ride before we do that, hm?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena nods to her friends and smiles.  "Was good idea come.  Yelena thank decker girl.  Thank Marco.  Firefly play violin good.  Now we go home."  She is careful to take her sax case and makes sure that Firefly grabs the violin case before saying farewell to Josie and Henri, promising to come back soon.  Josie gives Subaru a special invite to return and reminds her to give the string man a call.  Yelena leads the way back out of the club to the car and drives them all back to the garage.

[ismilealot]

@ Arc  As she was driving a message came up from Merlin, >>Yo, I been diggin' 'round, gettin' a few friends wid talent ta do some checkin' and one o' the bartenders at The Stardust heard 'bout it and came ta' see me. He told me he recognized Feathers at the club from all the trid when drek went down, and thinks he musta disappeared right after. An he says the clubs been making peeps disappear. Says they ain't near enough ta dead when they gets taken fer ta be checked out, but he ain't seen one come back up yet. An when I have peeps check da club in ta astral da' says it be like a black hole. Now, that kinda magic an power is do-able see, but, it ain't cheap. An nobody does it wid' out having summat ta hide. So's I been havin' em keep de' nose to tha' wind an that club ships out a truck once a week. Clubs get shipments of all kinds o' drek. But, they don' ship out. An LittlePaw an Blue, they went ta watch the shipment way the fuck early on Sunday. That truck be warded ten ways ta Sunday yo'. So's I go an talk to the bartender yo. An he tells me the club owners be gettin' ready ta' sell. One o da waitresses was messin wid a security guard in a private room what they wasn't supposed ta' be in, an they almost get busted see. But, they overhear the convo'. Now, dat club be makin' cred hand over fist, no reason ta' sell. But, everything's gonna be shipped out in a week an they're moving on. She say they say, "We got enough turned fer da job. More an they be discovery. The mage in particular be proving hard ta control. I've already killed ta damn fool what drugged him." So's I'm thinkin' maybe dey mean Feathers an he be still alive. But, we ain't got much time if they be sellin' an hot-footin' it outta here.<<

@ Yelena  You get a message from John, Bella's husband, >>Yelena, I very much enjoyed our time together the other night. I know you've been concerned about Bella so I just wanted to tell you that the reaction you had put a bit of a scare into her and she's decided to go into rehab. They told her it was best to cut all ties with everyone who she was using with and so she's given up her comm and gone before she could be talked back into that lifestyle by one of her friends. I know it's for the best, but of course I miss her. However this leaves Keshon and I alone for the evening and as you have made quite an impression on him, and me as well, I thought I'd invite you to the club for another private party. I've taken the liberty of buying you a dress and some jewelry for it as one so lovely as you should have clothing and jewels to set off that stunning perfection. I've also booked a spa day for you at Javiers. I've sent the things there. I'll have a car sent around for you there at eight. I look forward to seeing you again.<<

@ Marco  Sophie calls you and says, >>I'll be ready for our shopping trip at 1:00 on Mon. I've taken the rest of the day off so that we can enjoy ourselves. I'm really looking forward to dressing you.<<

@ Tusk  The ride back to the garage is uneventful. And a few of the orcs and trolls you pass along the way shout at you, "Who won?" Their laughter is a good sign. So is the fact that they already recognize you.

@ Subaru  There's still so much data to be processed from the last few days of activities. But,so far she's got more than enough blackmail, as well as an exact recipe for what seems to be a very difficult drug to make. And the accounts and passwords for all that cred they just got certainly came in handy. But, is that all? Subaru thinks it is. But, a very skilled, and very paranoid person might just hide something in an ultra secure layer, counting on someone to stop looking once they found the nuyen. Certainly cred was the most important thing and the thing most people put their heaviest protections on. But, what if it wasn't?

[Duck N. Cover]

     The recicladore's face fell as Arc delivered the news.

     “Told you.”  Tuskaloosa jerked a thumb at him. “This codger was hoping to make a museum piece with pure parts.”
   
     “Still do,” he huffed.  “Jus needa keep lookin'.  Dere's no hurry.”
   
     “Good luck,” Arc offered sincerely as she returned the last of the parts to the cardboard container.  She handed their host the now-empty cup.  “Thanks for the look.”
   
     He set the vessel aside and held up a piece of e-paper full of serial numbers from parts she pronounced  beyond use.  “Danks fer da list.”
   
     “I'm probably finna get to my Vruk within the next hour...a little ride before we do that, hm?”

     Tuskaloosa shook her head. “Treat yourself and your...vruk?...go get a hot shower in.”
   
     “Ah...ok.  What will you do?”
   
     She was tempted to return to the apartment, but squelched the idea—she didn't want to give the bike thieves in her neck of the woods a target. “Go back to the shop—I think I'll grab a nap until you get back.”

     The answer satisfied Arc.  “We're going in the same direction part way, at least...ready to go?”
   
     Arr-Arr-Arr jumped up and shuffled off down the hall.  “If yer on da way out, lemmie grab da hose...”

     “Hose--? What's he talking about now?”
   
     Tuskaloosa unconsciously  rubbed the dermal knobs on her right temple. “...Right.  Most scroungers like Arr-Arr-Arr don't take nuyen; they barter.  So, I figured to trade a little of your time and expertise for a rare sight, a cup of soykaf... and a hose for a Sony H179A swamp cooler.”
   
     “An a great deal, too,” the troll said proudly as he handed over the prize.
   
     “I'll bet...so what's the hose for, then?”
   
     The troll biker held up the coil of tubing and smiled. “Either a going away present or a random act of kindness.  Maybe both.”

[SgtBoomCloud]

Huh, first trog I met that didn't speak the tusker tongue.  I learned something today  Arc gave a smirk as she walked out with the lady troll, fitting her jacket on her to ward off the cold as she looked up to her.  "Vru'kart.  Or'zet.  Mate boy.  I was brought up around trogs for most of my life, so the culture fits for me, despite being the breeder slitch I am, eh?"  Hopping onto the Scorpion, she gave a nod of agreement as she mentally punching in a message to the biker girl, the message showing up quickly.

"I just gave you access to my place.  The beds may be a bit small, but the couch will work for ya I hope.  Get some rest, I'll let you know when I'm heading by..."  Nodding with a grin to the troll, she fired up the bike and rode with her into the night streets.  As they passed the gangers again, Arc gave a street salute to them, the back of her mind enjoying the fact that she was being treated with respect..and she was letting herself view that as such.  Sooner than she would have liked, the point where she had to diverge from Tuskaloosa came, and she signaled for a stop, the engines thrumming as she looked up to the taller one with a nod.

"You a natural, omae.  We gon' do this tonight.."

And with that, she fired up her engines and took off, heading towards the neighborhood where her Vruk and her called home...herself a home away from home as it were.  About halfway, she saw a message blip into her AR view, instinctively switching the bike to autopilot before reading it.  Merlin...what the frag you up to...  What he said almost caused her heart to stop.  He had on his own managed to pick up more intel directly about this club than she herself could have hoped.  Two big things were clear: one, they had a set deadline to take on the Stardust before their shipment went off (and the use of the word "convert" made her shudder), and two, Feathers was alive.  Grinning, the mechanic quickly busted out a reply.

<<@Merlin: you son of a slitch, you just did me a real solid.  I'm working my way into that fragging place and have been for a bit.  You may have just given us direction and something to go on.  I owe ya a solid, and I know how to make good on it.  Keep your nose to the wind omae, and sit tight.  My crew and I gots a couple plays to run in the next couple of nights (there be Dragons of Jade involved, I ain't flyin' colors omae), but after that you can bet your mojo-filled hoop we hitting that place.  We gettin' Feathers back, and if you want in lemme know.  I'll find a way we can use your drek.>>

Satisfied with that, Arc closed her app and retook control from the bike, speeding the remaining distance to Jaime's apartment, only stopping to pick up a decent meal along the way for both of them.  By the time she arrived, Jaime wasn't due off for another half hour, giving the human plenty of time to get things ready.  Hastily trying to tidy the place up, she set the food on the table and set the lights to a calming ambience before she allowed herself to relax.  Shrugging out of her clothes, she hopped into the shower about five minutes before he was due home, washing away the dirt and grease from the day's exertions and letting the warm water relax her muscles.  Washing her hair, she closed her eyes and caught herself humming a low, rumbling rhythm of some song she heard, letting her stresses file away in her mind for the time being.  They would come later...now was her time...

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena gets the message from John as she is driving home from Josie's with Firefly and Marco and sends one back.  >>John.  Is Yelena.  Thanks much tell about Bella.  Yelena scare self.  Can tell Yelena where Bella go?  Yelena might need rehab too soon.  But after party.  What day for spa and party?"

[Duck N. Cover]

     As they returned to the scorpions, Arc tried to give Tuskaloosa a minute-a-day Or'zet lesson and a little bit of history: “I was brought up around trogs for most of my life, so the culture fits for me, despite being the breeder slitch I am, eh?”

     For her part, the troll simply shrugged. “The only culture I know is the live-active kind in yogurt.  But as far as 'trogs' and 'breeders'...well, I was raised to call people folks and peeps. Folks are folks, no matter what size or shape.  You treat all folks with respect and dignity, and you'll find out who deserve them...and who don't. Peeps are the good ones—the folks you want to be around, and vice-versa.  You find your peeps, you surround yourself with them and you support them through flames, flood, famine and firearms—because they do the same for you.”

     “Huh.  Wazzat make the J.D.s?  What we're planning is less 'respect and dignity' and more push 'em over and take their stuff, ya know?”

    “I never said I was perfect.  Besides,” Tuskaloosa added, “You made it clear they wouldn't say 'ok' no matter how nicely we ask.  I might as well save my breath for running away after we take their stuff—right?”

     Arc laughed and nodded.  “Check yer comm--I just gave you access to my place.  The beds may be a bit small, but the couch will work for ya I hope.  Get some rest, I'll let you know when I'm heading by...”
   
    “I was thinking of the the couch already.”


_   _   _


     Tuskaloosa didn't mind the ride back—even with the triumphant howls every time she pointed at Arc when onlookers asked 'who won?' Arc, you've got far more cred in this neighborhood than you give yourself credit for.
     ...Although she couldn't help herself and gave a good-natured “We'll get her in the re-match” to the third batch of gangers who asked.


    The two riders parted ways with a fist bump.

     Now then, the troll thought as she idled up to the garage doors and pulled out her commlink, for the access code...
     The door lifted smoothly--not a surprise.  What was a surprise however was the fact the access code didn't disappear. It's not a one use...?
     She finally shook her head ruefully and rolled inside.  You are one trusting peep, boss.

[ismilealot]

@ Yelena  John replies, >>Monday night. Keshon leaves Tues and we'll both need the company of a lovely woman after the negotiations we're working on are completed. I'm glad you're able to make it. But I'm afraid I can't give you the name of the rehab just yet. They advised against it as Bella's friends might contact her and at this stage she'd be far to likely to have them smuggle her something in. I'll see you tomorrow night. I'm looking forward to seeing you wearing Keshon and I.<<

[gilga]

Things seem a bit peace full on the way back and I spend what time I can studying my Mark.  I am a bit excited and nervous being so well dressed and heavily armed. When we arrive I silently pass on my equipment I was not sure what was needed but the AK-97 and Sigma seemed appropriate for the task at hand. There is power in automatic fire and I should go practicing soon. The touch of the cold metal or sophisticated alloy who knows how they do these devil sticks brings me back to reality.

To prepare to the mission at hand I say a short prayer, that nobody will die tonight. Not from us, nor from our doing. My entire sense of self is challenged and I can barely recognize myself. I am well armed and operating a spirit. Prepared to perform a violent extraction tonight with a bunch of criminals. Yelena is probobly the most dangerous woman I ever met, yet I am fascinated by her when I should be running away. Arc in her way, is a dangerous criminal although I know she is a good person. It confuses me, dancing, almost shopping she seems very mundane but then we go into narrow escapes and tonight an extraction. How can she keep being so normal. She'll do what we do tonight and return to her boyfriend as if it was just another day at work.

Then there are the new ones Firefly that I struggle to understand, she seems to constantly challenge herself and the troll Tuska that seems... I am not sure how but if she got her bike demolished she was probobly up to no good. What happened to my friends? The blissful nights of drinking at Joy, dancing at the Italiano and goofing around town drunk and happy seem so distanced. I became numb... my job caused me to get numb discussing potential bed partners the thrill of conquest is there but I feel that I want something deeper.

My shadowrunning? How can I discuss the news, politics, sports or wines when I cannot mention that I broke into a high school, made drugs in an improvised lab and met with a person like Nikolai. These things seem to lose their color, they are reduced to mere tactical conversations that I do well. My magic preserves my sanity, I calm my body. I have complete control on the manifestation of my emotions and somehow if the outside is calm the inside is calm as well. Michael Chekhov is after all a genius and my acting is an awakened interpretation of his famous technique.  The physical aspect can control the mental one - this is how I am going to impersonate, this is how I am going to act like a professional tonight.


 

[Mercy Merchant]

Yelena sends a reply back to Bella's husband as she pulls up to the garage.  >>John.  Is Yelena.  Look forward see you and Keshon.<<  She pushes the button for the door and slides the car inside.  Leaving the car, she removes the sax case and goes to the living area to store it.  Once it is secure, Yelena heads back to the garage and announces that she is going outside for a smoke.

[Shaman_Yuri]

All I have time for right now is to TL;DR

Subaru will use the time traveling back from Josie's to the garage jacked via IR into her MiAz starting to use the more powerful device to further process and collate the data from the Stardust, on Marco from his comm, and on Tuskaloosa from whatever sources she can find during a search.  When she returns to the garage, after placing her violin carefully in the bedroom area she'll bio and continue her work until it is time to move on to the mission.

[Mercy Merchant]

Once outside, Yelena lights up one of her thin cigars and leans against the outer wall of the garage, gathering the shadow to her for protection against the cold.  She looks around her at the people scurrying past and nods to those she knows.  Things are mostly quiet and she takes some time to think about her place here and her future.

[gilga]

Marco leaves the room and joins Yelena outside... she seems to be smoking and not saying much. "That was some brilliant music" he finally say. It is cold but nothing like it was entering the water earlier. Perhaps everything in life is relative.