[Mulcarn]

Maxwell smirks at Kynos' professionalism and lets the two finish talking undisturbed.  He stays in astral sight to keep a vigilant eye out for any unwanted specters.  After Miss Page hands Kynos the chip, Maxwell chimes in.  "Alchemy, enchantment, ritual magic and watcher constructs.  You hired a talismonger to do security work.  Might have worked out better to have given him a shop to peddle his mojo than a corporate job of magical defense.  From what Kynos just said and from the data he gave me the other night, turning toxic usually happens from an over-exposure to pollution or radiation.  How does being fired drive a mage insane to that extreme?"

[gilga]

Maxwell miss Page say "Well, it is not exactly as you describe it, he was born a cooperate citizen and when he betrayed his oaths and started placing his sick jokes above cooperate interests I made him SINless. A criminal SINner to be accurate. I do not know about 'turning toxic' she said, our arcology is relatively clean, considering how polluted the city is. He traveled a lot tough as he was also responsible on the security of another mall in Vancouver.  Basically he kept travelling to renew his rituals between these places, but  Vancouver should be cleaner than here."

[Jack_Spade]

"I see. Well there are many ways to crack - neither of which do concern us much as long as there is no evidence of him employing toxic chemicals or hard radiation.

Just one more thing." He showed the meanwhile a bit ragged looking flyer. "This wouldn't happen to be from you? In that case I have to assume that our prey is already aware of us and knows everything we just talked about. Which also means that you are in immediate danger, despite your bodyguard. I suggest you question the teenager over there who delivered this flyer to us, because she knew about this recognition key with the Lilies.

All we need now are security passes, so we can move freely through this mall and its storage and support structures."
Kynos replied

Over comm he said to his chummers: <<We are already made. Our enemy has superior information on us. We'll leave to armor up now
Sovereign, please keep an eye on the astral looking for watchers and spirits and maybe start a search spirit as soon as we are in the car.>>

[gilga]

In the astral as miss Page touches the brochure Maxwell can suddenly see a bright magical aura - a combat spell is triggered. One he is familiar with - a fireball. It gives him a brief moment to warn the rest.  Tough the preparation hidden in the brochure was already triggered. The brochure quickly catches fire in Page's hands and then blows up. As you dive for cover, you can her her screams of terror and surprise. Being completely unaware and at the center of the blast, miss Page is too slow to protect herself from the explosion.

[Jack_Spade]

Kynos noticed the beginning explosion, but on an impulse - instead of running away - he turned sideways and just raised his arm to protect his face.
The flame sphere washed over him and left a fine layer of soot all over him, but left him otherwise unharmed.
"Really! I just had this suit at the dry cleaner to get all the blood out. Now I am annoyed."

Seeing the prone form of their employer he used his commlink to call for an ambulance.

"Mrs. Page, if you can hear me I am accepting this contract."

[Mulcarn]

Maxwell was tilting back in his chair and scouting the astral when he noticed the brochure was a fireball alchemical bomb.  In extreme speed and urgency, Maxwell jumps out of his seat and extends an open palm in front of himself, magically defending everyone at the table from the preparation.  The flyer explodes and coats Maxwell in flames.  He manages to not be knocked down but a new problem had arisen.  He was on fire.

The mage swears furiously and starts swatting at his arms and legs to put the fire out.  That tricked didn't worked and the flames continued to eat away at flesh and fabric.  He immediately drops to the ground and begins rolling around to put the fire out.  That time old tested tactic actually worked and Maxwell was free from the fire's embrace.  He didn't get out unscathed though.  His shirt was nearly destroyed and there were major burn marks all across his arms, legs and chest.  Maxwell trembled and shook in agony as he stood surveying the mayhem around him.  In a raspy lung-scorched voice, Maxwell calls out.  "Me too!  Fuck, this guy is going to burn in true hellfire!"

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos somehow sees what is about to happen and tips the table.  His armored clothing and natural armor helps him avoid the damage from the fireball.  Some of his companions at the table were not so lucky.  He grabs his medkit from a pocket and wishes again that he taken some sort of first aid training.  Still, the kit by itself might be useful.  He looks over at Sovereign then at the Johnson.  Sovereign was badly burned, but standing.  The Johnson was clearly worse off.  He kneels near her and opens the kit, hitting the button for the auto doc and following the verbal instructions to try to stabilize the woman.

The kit seems able to do the trick and Athos spares a look to see who else may have been affected.

[gilga]

Due to the early time of the explosion nobody else is hurt, still the fireball has created quite a panic and you can see a bunch of curios vendors rushing your way to offer help or just to observe the drama.
Page is conscious, barely and she whispers "You will be contacted by another manager, your job is important for us." committed to her work until she finally gives in to the pain. Athos manages to stabilize her with his medic kit, and she is not in immediate danger when Doc wagon arrives few minutes later. Her bodyguard thankfully nods at you and remains silent until the medics arrives, he then accompanies her to the ambulance and the two leave.

Before they leave one of the doctors asks "What about that guy? he is badly hurt as well!" His boss, a woman in her forties, say coldly "Leave him he does not have insurance" as she loads Page to the ambulance. Regardless of her instructions the young treats Maxwell. His college is clearly unhappy and except violently disconnecting Maxwell from the medic kit and potentially killing him she does anything to rush him.  She say " Stop wasting medical equipment on  'charity' and the way she pronounce the word charity is filled with scorn.

When the young medic bandages Maxwell with a bunch of expensive anti burn bandages the older doctor cries "These comes out of your wage- I will report this incident!" and shortly after the young medic leaves looking at the rest of you with shame in his eyes.  His last words are "Keep them wet and replace the bandages after 24 hours. "



first aid: 15d6t5 6
3 physical boxes healed.

[Jack_Spade]

"Can you stand Sovereign? More important, can you heal yourself?
I think it's time to gear up and take this punk down."

Kynos reached out to give the mage a hand.

[Mulcarn]

Years of fire magic use had gotten him use to being burned.  Becoming intimate with the nature of flames usually involved being consumed by them first.  Still though, it hurt like hell nevertheless.  The ambulance arrives and sees to Miss Page first unsurprisingly.  Because he was a SIN-less gutter-punk with no insurance, the supervising physician wanted to not bother with him.  One of medics was cut from a different cloth and saw to his injuries out of kindness, not without a reprimand from his boss though.  Maxwell nods thankfully and says.  "Much obliged."

A few words of concern are heard from Kynos and a helpful hand is offered.  Maxwell rips off his ruined shirt and lays a bandaged hand on his chest, casting a restorative heal spell.

Force 6 Heal: 12d6t5 8
Drain Resistance: 11d6t5 5
5 Boxes of Physical healed.  One still leftover that'll need natural recovery.

The rest of the wounds and burn marks disappear from Maxwell's body.  Leaving only soot to mar his thin frame.  Vigorously he says.  "I'll live, thanks though.  But I need a new shirt.  Actually, shit, my pants are too burnt and ruined too.  I'll need a new set of clothes.  That's what I get for coming unarmored.  Think i'll wear my suit of full body armor for the rest of this run.  Let's head back to the van.  Ready when you are."  Maxwell stands about in relatively good health considering he just took a fireball to the face.

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos shakes his head at the callous behavior of the lead medic.  He notes the name and badge number of the young medic and files it away.  He, too, looks at Sovereign and marvels at the man's ability to heal himself.  "There is probably a place in the mall to get new clothes."

[Jack_Spade]

Back at the car, Kynos changed into his full body armor and after a moments hesitation applied also the KE patches, hoping that Mrs. Page would appreciate the effort to have this look like a real police action.
"Sovereign, if you want you can borrow my other armor. My Ares Victory Big Game Hunter has chemical protection. Might come in handy.

Also, please keep an eye on the astral from now or call a spirit to do it for you. If we are up against a trap monkey we have to step up our game."

He strapped on the holsters for taser and the Savalette. The assault rifle remained for the moment in its sheath, but hung over his shoulder.

[Mulcarn]

The ends of his pant legs were seared off.  Turning his jeans into shorts.  Maxwell moved with Athos and Kynos back to the van.  There Kynos outfitted himself with a suit of full body armor.  Without bothering to waste anymore time, Maxwell did the same.  He pulled out his ratty duffel bag and unzip it's contents.  Another suit of full body armor to match Kynos'.  He changes into it and dons the helmet to go with, not yet activating the chemical seal until he was ready for it to be on.  To Athos he replied first.  "I'll do some shopping after we catch the shit bird."  And Kynos second.  "No need.  Brought my own set of heavy armor.  Plus I doubt your Big Game Hunter will fit me.  I was keeping an eye on the astral, the whole meeting.  Nothing magical until you handed the Johnson that brochure bomb.  I'll summon an old dead lord to help in our mage hunt."

Maxwell stands up straight with his arms outstretched to side, his hands open to the sky.  Calling out mentally to the astral for a spirit of the dead to aid him.  The summoning ritual did not work as intended and just gave him a headache instead.  Once more Maxwell tries again.  This time he kneels on the ground and projects himself outside of Seattle.  Chanting a command to bring the forgotten dead soul into creation.  "I am the one who holds the power.  I am the one who reflects the will.  I am the one who reigns as king.  I am the one who urges to win.  I am the one who lights the fire.  I am the one who controls the flame.  I am the one who defies reality.  I am the one who withstands pain.  The endless gap between servant and lord will grow stronger within us all.  I am the one who decides the course.  I am the one who takes the step.  I am the one who moves forward.  I am the one who worships strength.  From order brings chaos.  In chaos there is progression.  In the ruins of man's ashes.  Sprouts the resurrection.  A dark narcissistic dimension.  A new world to come.  The end of civilization.  Marks the arrival of the Spirit Lord."

Summoning Force 7 Spirit of Man: 12d6t5 1
Spirit Resistance: 8d6t5 4
Drain Resistance: 11d6t5 5
Summoning Failed.  Sovereign takes 3 Stun.
Summoning Force 7 Spirit of Man: 12d6t5 3
Spirit Resistance: 8d6t5 1
Drain Resistance: 11d6t5 4
Force 8 Spirit of Man Summoned with 2 Services.  No Drain.
Optional Powers - Innate Spell (Increase Reflexes) and Innate Spell (Stunbolt).
He'll be named Valfar.


Maxwell phases back to Seattle and his body with a long dead spirit leashed to his will.  He rises from the ground and gives a mental word to his spirit.  "Stand before us Valfar, so that I may give you your first service."

[Mercy Merchant]

Athos adjusts his Big Game Hunter outfit, putting his huge handgun in its holster and picking up his Colt assault rifle and some spare clips.  He turns to the others and says, "So, what is the plan?"

[Jack_Spade]

Kynos indicated at Sovereign's spirit with his thumb. "He's going to search the mage and tell us where we find him. We then walk there, kick the shit out of him and drag his dead or unconscious body with us to get paid. Or has anyone a better idea?"