[Mulcarn]

Maxwell shakes his head.  "I'm not your savior.  What i'm here to do is to protect Amy and to make sure Grail never touches her or anyone ever again.  Even if I were to help you all escape then Amy won't have anything to eat and she'll starve to death.  It's her call if she wants you to go or to remain here.  However... I don't see a problem if you managed to leave and escape.  I doubt Amy will mind either.  Are you interested?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos sends a reply to Kynos.  >>Kynos.  I can try.  I am also in the middle of something.  Can we push the time to 1500, please?<<

He looks at both Minnie and Nagisa with interest.  "You do not have to do anything special.  I can just sit here and look at you two and be happy.  I am glad that you are safe.  It was very hard not being able to contact either of you since the party on the island.  Now I need help.  I am trying to establish something here, but I can barely put two words together in a sequence that makes any sense, and most people just ignore me or think I am crazy.  I probably am crazy."  His eyes flick back and forth, surprised at the change in Nagisa, but not entirely disappointed.  The scanty and provocative clothes show off some of her assets and hint well at the rest. 

[gilga]

@Maxwell Charlie said "I want to get out of here... I'll do anything." She is a bit overwhelmed with the fact you sided with a vampire.  Deciding to interfere in the conversation Sarah said: "You'll want to take me out of here as well... If you are going to hide in here - you should maintain your cover. I cannot unlearn what I just learned."

@Athos Yulia looks at you with admiration "Trying to establish something? You moved a long way from being my driver,Oni. I am trying to find my place, with Strawberry I finally feel like I belong, like she can understand me. I do not want to go back to the Finnegans, but I can help you."
(I hope I play her reliably)

Nagisa said "That's nonsense Athos, come there is incredible food here. Fantasy woman takes care of everything." She smiles and and sets up a table and adds "Besides... Yulia's new smoking hot boyfriend is out of town... so now I only share her with Strawberry." She speaks about it with a hint of a suggestive smile, but she clearly is frustrated with Yulia's sexual behavior. "...and Strawberry is not very chatty right now so I have a few days to dream. Nobody understands you, you said? I completely relate to that. I think I might be going crazy as well... I feel so emotionally charged up since I got here. I find it hard to focus my mind long enough to get some work done."

[Jack_Spade]

Kynos replied to Alfred: <<Well, as far as I can puzzle it together you are half right: It's probably not CFD but also a nanite induced mind control thing. I recently escaped from a KE blacksite prison where a mad AI called RED infected the guards and made them its puppets. I'd guess that it's the same here. The AI collaborates with a Vampire called Grail who is behind the whole terrorism in the city. He's trying to consolidate his power base and has already taken out Knight Errant, at least that's what my sources tell me. Now that the army seems to be under his control too... well there are nicer places to be right now.

Lucky for you, I know someone who could maybe help with the infestation. There is another AI - build to be a mind reader. It's more benevolent and if it infects you, you are relatively immune to the RED nanites. Also, a massive EMP seems to be able to kill them.

If you are interested, I can help you clean your base.

But most important: I need APDS ammo and HE-grenades. Also I'd need a source for FAB - that is Fluorescent Astral Bacteria - the things used in mage cuffs that give off light when magic is used or nearby. >>


Kynos replied to Athos:
<<Sure, although I just got some more bad news you might want to learn about - especially since it might be a massive chance for you to gain some power of your own. By the way: You still have that AI in your nano-hive? Ask her please if she still would be able to create an immune shot against the RED-mind controllers. Also, could you call your terrorist girl-friend if she still has that EMP-cleaning thingy? I might need to wipe out the Army.>>

[gilga]

@Kynos Alfred said "I am not a complete asshole, I did sound the alarm and we are now waiting for an intervention force to recapture the base and the city. The one thing I learned you do not raid a UCAS base and expect gratitude. If the KE are also compromised it seems like the city is effectively conquered. Let's see who is in charge and if they can actually prevent the military from reclaiming this city.

I will forward the information you gave me. I will keep my head low until the cavalry arrive, I am not sure about giving my brain to mind reading AI is the best move. If there is a mind reading one - then it explains how these assholes learned the lunch the missiles. The guards at that base are simply unaware of basic things like where is the armory. They act like drones, very powerful and dangerous drones - but drones non the less.

Getting my hands on FAB is going to require some networking - but I will try to find a seller for you. I have 30 APDS on me, and I can get you more if you need. High explosives are also non issue, give me a few days and I'll have them for you. "

[Mulcarn]

Maxwell sluggishly places a hand on his chest and wills forth restorative magic to heal himself and cleanse the rest of the toxicity within him. 

Force 6 Heal: 11d6t5 5
Drain Resist: 11d6t5 1
5 Boxes of Physical healed and 1 Box still left over that'll need actual rest to heal.  Sovereign takes 1 Stun.  And yes this is possible.
The agony he was in is now gone.  The spell worked perfectly and healed the rest of his wounds caused by the poison.  Now comes the second part.  Maxwell closes his eyes and projects out of the building, flying past the pollution of the Barrens.  An outcry erupts from him to force a spirit into servitude.  A shriek of thunder and might that few would dare ignore, or could for that matter.

Summoning Force 7 Air Spirit: 13d6t5 4
Spirit Resist: 8d6t5 2
Drain Resist: 11d6t5 6
Force 8 Air Spirit Summoned with 2 Services.  No Drain.
Optional Powers - Elemental Attack (Electrical) and Fear
This one will be called Galvanize.


The summoning went as expected, Maxwell returns back to his meat and gets out of bed.  The two ladies probably had no idea what he was doing or had done, but soon they'd know.  A large toothy grin stretches across his mouth when he tells them in a near malicious fashion.  "I'm ready when you are.  Grab your things and if possible, some gas masks or respirators.  I'll guide you to freedom on the sole condition that you tell no one of this place, understand?"

[Jack_Spade]

<<Alright Alfred, come over to the junk yard, so we can make the deal.>>

When they finally met in person, Kynos handed him a list:
"I take the 30 bullets and need another 60.
12 HE mini-grenades and 12 shots of tracker ammo for my Savalette. 10 Stealth RFID chips would also be appreciated.
Just send me a message when you have the gear, we meet here again."

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos chuckles as he sends a reply to Kynos.  >>Cannot wait to hear more bad news.  I do still have access to Cat and ask your questions.  I will get back to you on that when we meet.<<    He quickly sends a thought out.  **Cat.  Can you still make enough of you to infect others if you wanted to?  To give protection from Red or other mind reading abilities?**  He follows that with a quick message to the mechanic that had cleaned the others up after the prison break.  >>Hello.  Athos here.  Do you still have access to some sort of EMP bombs or devices?<<

He thinks on his words before replying to the girls.  "I am happy for you Minnie.  I wish I understood Strawberry.  Frag, I wish I understood myself.  Anyway, could you work with me?  I am still a Finnegan for now, still working for Dona Valentina.  At least as long as she sees my vision.  But that may not be for long and then I have to go my own way.  My idea is to make a new Family out here, one more suited to the Barrens than the current crime lords.  I want to protect these people, to show that other gangs cannot come in and take what they want when they want.  I can see taking part of the Finnegan and part of the Yak assets and making something new.  But my social skills are lacking and I need a face to help me talk.  Can you maybe help with that?  Or at least teach me a bit how to talk?'

'But I have plans that do not go well with Strawberry's goals and so need to expand a bit beyond my original idea of how much space I need.  I could really use you two as advisors.  In fact, I am not sure I could do this without both of you."

It is hard to keep his eyes off of Nagisa as she moves about.  Her suggestive clothing leaves little of her nice body to the imagination and he is reacting to her, an he does not know if it is as she wants him to or if the show is only for Minnie, all of which is very odd.  "Nagisa, you seem so........different.  Happy and sad at the same time.  And I have to say it; you have never been so nice to me.  I have to say that I like the change very much, but only if it is really you.  I can handle the old Nagisa if you want.  I need honesty among my top advisors."

"I am very slow on picking up hints, just ask Minnie, but I have to tell you that my body is reacting to the presence of you two in ways that either of you might find awkward.  So please square me away on this now so it does not become even more awkward later."

[gilga]

@Maxwll Sarah and Charlie say look at each other and then say "Oh, we're ready alright. Just get us out of this hellhole." They are a bit fascinated by the heal spell and Sarah said "I wish I could do that..."

@Athos Nagisa giggles and say "I am not sure what changed... since I got to this place I am constantly distracted... Should I say aroused? I feel like I have some ON that is constantly flipped. I really has only one thing in my mind... most of the time. Perhaps it is fantasy lady - I do not know what to think anymore."  Minnie then looks at the two of you and say with her secretary voice "It is not like that Oni... you are my brother. I can teach you how to talk, but my talking is more used to getting laid than for contracts and things like that."

@Cat say... "No I cannot actually, there is just how fast I can program nanites and as their mortality rate depends on their number I cannot grow beyond a certain amount.  Me and Red are intentionally designed not to be able to duplicate ourselves to large scales. Our creators took extreme measures to ensure we do not end up super beings.
With the nanite lab destroyed it is unlikely that Red can further increase her size byond the few hundreds she already control. Not unless she finds a new nanite lab to duplicate her.  It is a design consideration, to prevent us from pulling a Deus. I usually clone my self high enough to be able to perform two mind readings, it take me two days to get to this level. "

Dave texts you back >> I have a device but it is not portable, these things require massive amounts of energy it is difficult to get them moving - just come and I'll clean you up again.
There are portable devices but they are much weaker, not much more sophisticated than tag erasers...  they can help with some of the more primitive things out there.


@Kynos Alfred pockets the list and promises to give you a call in a few days when he gather the supplies.

[Mulcarn]

Maxwell nods and says only one word.  "Wiz."  A command is shot through the astral to his servant.  "I know you're a spirit of thunder and lightning but I need you to conceal Sarah, Charlie and I.  Keep this power sustained and rest in the astral until I give you any further commands."  He grabs and hold Charlie's and Sarah's hands, walking them outside the clinic and onward to the elevator.  They ride down to the first floor and effortlessly avoid the drones that glide and patrol like mechanical watch dogs.  All three of them reach the sewer tunnel and commence their rancid journey.  Maxwell stops leading them for a moment to give the two a warning.  "We should take it slow from here.  Keep your eyes open and your wits about you.  I'll lead a few feet in front of you two and deal with whatever critter that gets in the way."  Maxwell places a open hand on his shoulder and starts casting another spell that'll help him deal with the devil rats in case they become aggressive.

Force 4 Increase Reflexes: 11d6t5 2
Drain Resist: 11d6t5 6

The mana he tried to draw for the spell quickly destabilized due to the background count.  Frustrated, Maxwell tries again to magically augment his speed and reflexes.

Force 4 Increase Reflexes: 11d6t5 1
Drain Resist: 11d6t5 4

Twice the spell failed miserably.  Maxwell sighs and curses his luck, and the state of the astral that impedes his spellcraft.  Giving it a third go he channels the mana necessary for the spell and wills forth the energy into himself.

Force 4 Increase Reflexes: 11d6t5 3
Drain Resist: 11d6t5 4

The magic worked finally but it wasn't to his liking.  He laughs at his futile endeavor and doesn't even bother trying to sustain the spell.  The background count is too high for the spell's energies to properly augment him or anyone for that matter.  He looks at the two girls and apologizes for the delay.  "Sorry about that.  With the state that Seattle is in it makes my magic weaker and harder to use.  Let us proceed."

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos thanks both Dave and Cat for the information.  He tells Dave that he was hoping for something bigger and portable and it is not for him.  He smiles at the girls.  "I am glad to get that out of the way before I say anything else stupid.  Say, let me run something past you two.  I am thinking of looking into opening a small brothel.  Now listen before you go off on me.  I want to do it right."  He ticks points off on his fingers.  "Classy place.  The girls get a fair percentage of their earnings.  The can leave when they want.  Medical care.  Child care.  No abuse and no pain.  Use only girls that want to be there.  Could it work?"

[gilga]

@Maxwell Charlie said "This is interesting... Do you think it effects Vampires as well?" The way down the sewers is event-less, you see many dead rats, ghouls and even desperate people that took refuge in some of the small administrative rooms along the pipes. It is not difficult to find an exit you can take to leave. Charlie and Sarah seems in especially bad move as they see what happened underneath. One thing you do not see is dead zombies. Actually you do see some Zombies, but they do not engage you. Just watch you with curiosity and keep their distance. They were clearly unaffected by the gas attack.

[gilga]

@Athos Dave tells you about the limitation of current technology and that if there is something bigger it is not for civilian use. Cat remains silent. When you mentioned Borthel Minnie spits her drink with surprise saying "What? Oni, you are insane, few days ago you were on edge to meet Valentina and now you speak about her as your equal? She is ruthless oni, I wouldn't start business without talking to her. She did not get to the inner council for nothing."

Nagisa said "She will make an example out of you - You are not in the right faction to starts Brothels - these are run by Dona Vitoria.  Valentina will simply have you killed, otherwise it will be seem like a deceleration of war.  You are completely forgetting your place, I do not know what has gotten into you. You can perhaps start a gambling den and even if you do that without Valentina's approval you will be killed. She will not allow you to do any form of side business.

Even if you do get to own a brothel, Dona Vitoria will never approve for you to treat the girls like you want to. You are part of a system and whores, despite what you might think are one of the most regulated family assets. Ask Valentina how hard she worked so that Minnie will not be slotted. Whores are usually programmed when they meet sensitive clients, that way they remember nothing. Even with all of Valentina's  influence and her council seat it have taken her years to gain access to Yulia. Yet you think that you can just start a brothel and get away with it.  You are a good soldier Athos, a loyal driver but you do not understand family politics and you are going to get yourself killed."

She then finishes setting up the dish for you and casually touch you as she place the plates, you are unsure if it means she is interested or if she is trying to annoy Yulia.

[Mulcarn]

The trio take their time as they wade through the sewer, various corpses litter the tunnels.  Cadavers of rats, ghouls and whatever poor souls that sought asylum within the undercity are left as physical markers of the toxic gas.  Humorously there are no carcasses of devil rats to be found.  During the trudge, Maxwell notices that he's being watched.  A strange air of dread permeates and overpowers the smells of sewage and death.  The eyes of the soulless dead are upon them.  Oddly they make no attack or confrontation, they merely observe with their desolate gaze.

Not before long, an opening to the surface presented itself.  A ladder that led to an open manhole is discovered.  Perhaps it was used by the dregs that tried to hide themselves from the chaos and turmoil of the city?  Either way, it'll lead to the surface and freedom for Charlie and Sarah.  He climbs up the ladder to the manhole cover.  It was already slightly ajar and all it needed was minimal strength to move.

Lift and Carry: 4d6t5 1

Despite Maxwell's lesser strength, he could still muster up enough physical reserves to push the heavy steel out of the way.  Charlie and Sarah are close behind him as they ascend out.  Maxwell helps the girls gain their footing topside as they reach their promise of release.  Triumphantly he declares.  "There, I helped you escape and you're now free to go where you want.  Just remember to tell no one about the compound and we're even.  Now, if you excuse me, I have some business I must attend."

Before he leaves he wanted to make sure that the two ladies were golden and confident, plus he was curious about the implant Charlie had in her head.  "I don't want to throw you girls to the wolves so to be speak.  Not after you just left hell.  Are you going to be alright and be able to find a safe place to stay?  Also, I know this will be a strange question and if you don't want to tell me I understand.  When I looked at your aura I noticed you had a high grade implant in your head Charlie.  What is it?  Cyberdeck or data lock?"

[gilga]

@Maxwell Charlie said "You could see that? This raises many questions... it should have been my revenge but my mind is too feeble for mental manipulation." She sensually hugs Sarah and say "We can return to my place... I am only there for a few months... I still got rent covered... Come Sarah... I'll show you some good time." She said. 

To Maxwell "Thanks man, you saved my life. I still think that you are from the bad guys as you only did that to preserve your cover. I wish you to  kill him never the less, and I am thankful for what you did." Sarah thank you and the two ladies leave walking toward down town Seattle.