[Mercy Merchant]

Cinn is waiting for you as you arrive at the stage level.  The first thing you notice is that you have come up at the rear of the stage and that no one is paying any real attention to you.  The second thing you notice is the singing.  Nova's voice is clear and beautiful as she sings her songs to the empty arena.  Your partner motions with her head.  "Your turn to watch her.  I will find out what I can from this guy and keep you informed.  And, hey?  Don't get so caught up in her voice that you forget to watch out for her.  I have seen it happen to others.  Get some ear plugs if you are having problems with that."

She picks the guy up and begins to walk off somewhere as you turn to go out to the stage wings.  You are indeed affected a bit by Nova's voice and it is a matter of will to begin looking at the stage and not her.  Of course, the entire place is a bodyguard's nightmare and an assassin's wet dream.  Sniper sightlines abound from scores of potential locations and just about anywhere at the front of the stage is in good pistol or grenade range from somewhere in the audience.

[PRabel]

"Do what you can, and while you're at it, you should take look inside this attaché case. I have strong feeling, that we're not going to like what's inside it. I hope we don't have to cancel the show because of it."

*OK, now that's what I call a challange. It is hard enough to focus on anything other than Nova, but I have to keep an eye on a lot of places at the same time. I'm going to get some ear plugs with sound filtering until I can get that surgery done.*

He patrols the stage, but stay out of Nova's sight. He doesn't want to disrupt her concentration.

[Mercy Merchant]

Yes.  two challenges:  Nova's voice is almost magical and she is a perfect target for some kinky guy.

Cinn sends you a message while you are standing in the wing of the stage.  >>G.  This guy is just a cut out.  He was given the ID badge and the case and told where to put it.  The case has some sort of fancy lock that is beyond my skill set.  I have called for Marco to come take a look at it, but can swap spots with you if you have the right skills?  Do you have any issue with me calling the arena sec chief in on this?<<

[PRabel]

"Drek! I feared, that he knows nothing. You can stay there, I'm not that good with locks, unless you want me to shoot it.
It's a good idea to call the security, I was about to suggest it. They know the place better, wich could be useful.
I think we should inform Roger about it too, don't you think?"

[PRabel]

Mercy Merchant:

>>I agree about calling security.  After all, we are assuming that Nova is the target of something, but it could be any of the other performers as well.  And Roger is my next call.  I would expect that you will be receiving a visit from the Sec Chief right soon.  Better you than me.<<
About as fast as you could expect the message to be delivered to the arena security office and someone to run down to the stage, you get four visitors.  Three are wearing jackets indicating they are security and one is not, but he had a badge on that identifies him as Hank Griswold, the director of security.  He reinforces that by introducing himself and motioning to one of the other men as Carl Carlson, his deputy.  These two men are very interested in what you have to say, but you get the distinct impression that the other two guys are just there in case you wanted to give them a hard time.  Director Griswold asks if you have time to go over some of the details and you see Cinnamon approaching, escorted by two more security guys.  Griswold looks at both of you and says,  “Don’t normally like cowboys roaming my range, but in this case you might have done some good.  I would like you to walk me through what you did and show me everything.”  He smiles and adds, “Please.”
Cinn nods at you and says that she will watch Nova until you get back.  While she is talking, you see two more security guys escorting the man you captured away.

[PRabel]

*That was really fast. No wonder, I would be interested too, if a guy got shot on my watch.
It seems, thy "insist", that I go and cooperate with them.*

"Mr. Griswold, Mr. Carlson, I'm Peter Simmons. I understand you have questions. I'll tell you everything related to this incident, but first, please take this gun. It belongs to the captured man." He says, while slowly and carefully hands over the gun he collected from the guy. If the security officers don't have any specific question, he starts to walk through what happened below.

[Mercy Merchant]

Griswold does have some specific questions but he prefers to ask them while walking.  He tries to elicit all the details of what you were doing and where you were doing it.  His overall demeanor seems a bit contrary to having private security roaming about on his turf, but he does not quite come out and say that.  He is very interested in the description of what you found on the lower stage storage area.  He stops and puts a hand to his ear and seems to be listening to something before going pale and talking into his throat mike.  "Then get the fragging performers off the stage and out to the security building.  Yes, them too.  Then send every spare man down here to look for those things."

He turns to you and says, "That case has enough explosive material to make quite a mess of the stage.  The man you captured finally broke and admitted that he had placed seven of the things in various places down here, according to instruction he had been given.  He does not know who is paying him."  He sends the three men with him off to turn the fragging lights on and find the other crates.

[PRabel]

He answers his questions, but adds:"I see you have mixed feelings about us being here, but I was just doing my job, just like you.

So it is explosives. I suspected a sniper rifle. If you excuse me, I must go now to meet with my partner and my client.

Without waiting for an answer, he turns and makes his way back to Nova and calls Cinn.
"Have you heard it? It was a fraggin' bomb and ther are six more of them in the arena. The sec guys make a sweep in the building to find them and takes everyone to the security building. We should get Nova back to the hotel. Tell Marco to get the limo and meet us at backstage entrance."

[Mercy Merchant]

Cinn acknowledges your message.  >>No.  They have not mentioned bombs, but we are being herded to the security building.  I agree that it is time to leave.  Meet you at the car.<<

As you go back up the stairs you meet several of the security staff coming down.  Once up on the stage level, you see more of them walking around, looking at everything.  Cinn confirms that she and Nova are at the car waiting for you.  >>Hey, G.  Don't dick around.  Several KE cars and a van just pulled up.  Lots of guys and a couple of dogs are getting out of the vehicles.  Someone is taking this seriously.<<

[PRabel]

"I'm on my way. The security chief led me pretty far away from the stage, but I don't know why. I'll be there in a moment.
Did Marco checked the car? I hope we don't have any extra parts on it.
No wonder KE is here, seven of these devices could bring the whole place down."
He runs to the car while talking to Cinn. *I need to get there before they put the arena into lockdown.*

[Mercy Merchant]

The running to the car bit might have been a good idea, but it is too late.  By the time you get down to the exit from the arena you can see three large KE vans pulling up and groups of men piling out.  One goes to where Marco is standing at the door to the car and says something to him.  Marco shrugs his shoulders and looks to where you are standing and shakes his head before getting back into the limo with the KE officer and driving off.  Several officers run past you into the arena but one pulls out an ID badge and introduces himself as Senior Special Agent Mort Walker.  “Could you please return to the arena security building for the time being?  We have locked the arena down and will need to talk to everyone.”  You hear Cinn and nova come up behind you and the officer tips his hat and repeats himself.  “Please Miss, would all of you return to the security building?”

[PRabel]

*Drek, we are stuck here for a while. They will want to know everything and I have to go over the whole story again. I hope they are not too curios. *

He turns to Nova and Cinn as they're walking to the building:
"Are the two of you allright? Did you get an anwer from Roger? Is he and Stella on their way?*

[Mercy Merchant]

Cinn shakes her head.  "I got them alright.  Roger wanted us to leave the arena and return to the hotel, but that is obviously a no go at this time.  I have sent him a message to let him know the current situation.  And we are OK, thanks for asking."

There is a crowd of people in the security building when you arrive.  Several performing groups are milling about with a number of managers and personal security in attendance.  The chief of security is trying to establish calm, but not succeeding too well as he is being badgered by a number of agents, promoters, and entertainers.  Nova goes over to a couch near a wall and sits.  You feel a slight tug on your arm and turn to see the young woman who had been on the stage with the noise band.  From up close you can see right through her sheer clothing.  Her perky breasts and flat stomach are clearly visible and the tuft of hair below her navel only slightly less so.  She smiles up at you and says in a stage whisper, "So, it looks like we could be here a while.  Saw you looking at me on the stage.  Fancy a quick fuck in the bathroom to use up some of the wait time?"

[PRabel]

"If I could get here a little sooner, we might had a chance to get away. I think the security chief wanted to stall me until KE arrives. Sorry about that."

"Thanks for the offer," - he says as the girl approches him - "but I have to pass.I already had my share of fun today with my lady-friend. Besides I'm on duty right now and I'm expecting a lot of questions from the officers here. I'm sure you'll find someone else who shares your desires. Please, excuse me!" He says and turns away to find Nova and stay at her side.

[Mercy Merchant]

Nova looks around quietly, observing the goings on and looking up at you when you come over.  "Thank you, G.  Someone might have been hurt if you had not found the bombs."  Just then Cinn comes over with three bottles of water and gives each of you one while uncapping hers and sipping from it.  "Lots of noise, G.  Lots of noise.  One rocket to this building could wipe out a ton of talent."  Cinn nods her head at the girl you had been talking to, who has a young man by the hand and leading him off somewhere.  "And some without much talent."