[adamu]

"Hey baby," Al answered with vocal cords ravaged raw by a life of smoking, "Reckon my whole life is the sum total of a daily diet o' terrible ideas. An' who wouldn't want my life? Reckon one more terrible idear won't hurt me none."

He flicked a spent Lucky Strike at the idol, the butt bouncing off the det cord coating in a small shower of sparks. "Gits to a point where we got two, three factions all sayin' they gon' unleash hell on us we don't bend over jist how they say, then it's time ta let 'em know that's a guaranteed fail. Let 'em know whatever they do to us, it ain't gon' git 'em what they want. Yo jefe, ya reckon it's time ta upload some pics o' my little masterpiece here?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Robyn nods at that idea.  "Is that worth considering, ISaint?  Perhaps they would like it back and are better able to keep it from affecting anyone.  They may even have done some research on a cure.?"

[Jack_Spade]

"Possible but unlikely. This vault was all but forgotten. Getting the bacteria back around it and burying it at a nondescript place will probably be safest. With regard to the cure, there are still some options. Finding a mage with a Cure Disease spell for one.

And yes Al, make the upload. If anything this might delay the opposition a bit while they think of a way to prevent the thing from blowing up."

He turned to Rick: "Yeah that was us. This clusterfuck is very reminiscent of that situation.

Mrs. Karasu I am sorry to drag you into this, but selling is now out of the question. I have little experience with Dissonant Technos, but if they are even a bit like Toxic Mages we can't trust Winter to keep his word or any proposed bargain.
But you don't have to worry about the money. You will be compensated for your troubles - especially since our pay lies in escrow. We upheld our end of the bargain, so we are entitled to it. In that at least I have faith in Torrent's skills."

#346

[Mercy Merchant]

Robyn nods, "Should I make contact with the mages again?  Perhaps they do not realize that they only cured part of the problem.  They are skilled and might be able to help us."

[Jack_Spade]

"Later, when we are back Below. And make sure they understand that this is not a new favor...

HEY, I just thought of something. Those bacteria are awakened and dual natured like Dog-Al. If we create a mana barrier with a high force rating and walk through it we'd cause the bacteria to intersect with the barrier. Dual natured people have a high chance to get knocked unconscious, but the bacteria would at the very least be crushed and left behind. It would be an elegant solution for us - sadly not for Dog-Al."
Isaint looked around at Rick and the Priestess:
"Please create the strongest mana barrier you can without actually hurting yourself."

[Mercy Merchant]

Robyn frowns.  "So does this in any way help Al?  Would it be useful if I could move him through, even if it makes him go unconscious?  Could you lift him through, like you did with the artifact?"

[Jack_Spade]

"If it works it will knock him out completely. It's not pleasant - that I can tell you, but it won't kill him. But if it doesn't kill the bacteria he'd be weakened and in even more danger.
So we need to test it on ourselves first and whoever does this might have a difficult relationship with Al afterwards."
Isaint shrugged.

#348

[adamu]

As the Satanists worked their mumbo jumbo cure and discussed what to do with the fake dog, Al flipped his Fairlight back on and opened up the wifi on his eyes just long enough to download his images of his demolition work on the idol. Then he went fully wifi dark again while he edited the image file, clearly showing the amount of explosives secured to and encompassing the thing, including serial numbers on the cord in case anyone doubted their yield. He blacked out the detonation connections, though. Once it was ready he preset three addresses - Torrent, their erstwhile Johnson, and the PAN for Angels, assuming Winter was watching it. Then he turned his commlink on for the split second it took to burst the image to the three addresses and shut it back off, also removing the battery.

"Alrighty, then. Let's do this mana thing double quick an' beat feet already."

[Mercy Merchant]

Robyn nods her head.  "Let's do this.  We go first then I can take Al through.  If he is going to lash out at anyone I want it to be me.  We have been through a lot together and I might be able to control him."

[DireRadiant]

[Yukika Karasu - Sunday July 5th, 2076; Angel's, West End, London]

I hear them talk about their knowledge of all the recent terrorist actions. Unfortunate. There are many things I would rather not know. It would be far safer for them if they didn't speak in front of me of such things.

I hope the explosion which destroys the powerful artifact they have does not unleash a Horror, nor the sickness. Do they not use explosions to spread poisons and sickness everywhere? I remember Sensei Oldham's lecture on the effects in Nagasaki Prefecture. The explosion itself was the smallest part of all the death caused.

It may be better to ride with Al.

I would die cleanly.

I listen to them strategize on negotiations. Should this not have been discussed before undertaking this task? Is it true they committted their lives to this without knowing the risks and outcomes? I always consider the consequences of the deal failing. The very first day at the Mitsuhama course on contract negotiation everyone learns that a contract is not important if everything goes as agreed, but vital for determining how to resolve issues. And these people will always have issues.

Ah, once again the urge to solve all with magic.

"Please, I am very sorry. While my Circle of Protection is very strong, it requires a site to be purified for hours, requires materials normally supplied by my clients, and cannot be moved."

I bow and look in front of my feet. This will not be good news.

"Please, I am sorry, to my knowledge if the Sickness is part of you, then it will stay with you when you confront mana barriers. However, it is possible I am wrong."

[obidancer]

Deckard scratched his head. The Mana Barrier was an idea but he had a lot of reservations about its success. The Mages down Below would have noticed the bacteria easily if it showed as dual natured. Yet it had remained unnoticed. Nevertheless, a small headache is all that could happened really creating the barrier. If it was a change it was worth checking.

Fine, I'll build the Barrier. I could easily take Al through it too without anyone nearby nor touching him, remember I'm a master of telekinesis.
Let me clarify something though. It seems we're all infected outside of Yukika. Does anyone has an idea when the symptoms should start showing? We should really be somewhere safe when that happens.

His question answered, Deckard took out from his pocket a silver coin that allowed him to cast the spell. Mana gathered around the group and anyone perceiving the Astral would see a strong opaque dome of energy surrounding them. The corrupted magical background was affecting the Mage however, and he found his effort more taxing than usual.


Mana Barrier F8: 17d6t5 5
Drain DV4: 15d6t5 1 Ouch
3 Stun 5 hits


He tried not to show his discomfort and extended his hand toward the exit door. Who wants to try? I will pass straight through.



#60

[Jack_Spade]

"Let's do this." Isaint walked through next. He didn't have to much hope that this idea worked, but at least it would ease the mind of the team a bit. If it didn't kill the bacteria that was already inside them, it would at least disinfect their gear.

"Ok now, Arthur engage Chauffeur mode." Obediently the Drone walked out to the parked Morgan and got behind the steering wheel.
"I have one seat and a place in the Valkyrie Module in the car. I think Robin you and your Al should get this place. I have my bike, Deckard you have yours.
Mrs. Karasu, for you I have a VTOL Drone, also with a Valkyrie Module. The Autodoc can check you and make sure you get some preventative treatment.
That leaves Al and Jackhammer. Al you've got a ride. I trust you two to keep the Artifact save.
Half Pint, I probably don't have to ask if you have a ride. Also, I understand if you are taking your leave at this point. You were protected by the rigger cocoon of your drone and unlike us you now don't have a reason to risk your neck going back to Below.

I suggest we meet up back in my storage unit. It's isolated enough to not risk any civilians' lives should we get attacked or still be a health hazard. From there we can look for a more permanent place to recover." 

[Mercy Merchant]

Robyn smiles grimly.  "Can we send one person through the barrier and then check to see if it works?  I would rather find out before I send Al through and have to deal with an uncomfortable Hell Hound.  Also I would like to ask you to turn the diagnostic instrument back on so I can look at it.  It would not be that hard to wire the thing to show that we are still infected when we might not be.  It could be the plan of this techno to have us think we are infected when we might actually be clean.  It should not take too long for me to look."

[Jack_Spade]

"Use one of the Valkyrie units. It's diagnostics should be on the same level - without being compromised by a Techno. On the whole  it would be best if he was unconscious for the transport anyway, so the VM unit can start treatment on him."
Isaint had stepped outside and looked around for any sign of approaching enemies. His drone had landed and lay open before him. With a gesture he indicated for the Shinto Priestess to enter, while he manually entered the destination for the drone.

[DireRadiant]

[Yukika Karasu - Sunday July 5th, 2076; Angel's, West End, London]

I touch my Omamori lightly and hold my knife, hidden, and pass through.

I look a moment at the flying prison and consider speaking. I refrain. It cannot hold me, and will keep the sickness away. I will be blind to the Kami and the Spirit World and unable to act until I shatter it. No matter, it is not mine.

I enter the flying prison and wait.

If only Iris had not been involved. I could entertain myself with these people and choose when to remove myself to safety. They have even allowed one who would be best suited to protect us from this Techno to leave when we are in the greatest danger.

I do not intervene, if more of these people leave or fall to the wayside then I can concentrate on finding Iris and settling this Debt.