A/N: This is the first sequel – one of many, I hope – to Firebase Seattle. Don Pendleton fans will recognize that as the title of one of The Executioner series of books he wrote back in the '70s. Dungeons and Dragons® and D20 Modern® are copyright Wizards of the Coast, and no infringement is intended. As before, I'm just having fun. Well, I am; my protagonist might not be, at first.
LANGUAGE WARNING, hence 'T' rating. Trieva's no lady. Sorry.
Chapter 1 – "Let's just say we'd like to avoid any Imperial entanglements." – Obi-wan Kenobi
Welcome to San Francisco, Department of Califonia, NorthAm Region, planet Arcturia, 2050. Not what I was expecting. I was lying in bed with one of the other PCs, after a very nice night. Time for some background.
My character's name is Trieva Fontaine. Her race is Rakasta, our usual GM's feline species. She was born in San Francisco, California in 2025. Rakasta have origins in the Far East, Japan and China, for the most part. She's not very traditional; in fact, she's something of a wild card. You could sum up her attitude with the song Nothing but a Good Time by Poison. She's very friendly, and fiercely loyal to her friends and people she trusts. At the moment, she's coming to grips with some unpleasant things that have happened recently.
The person she's in bed with is named Marcus Zorro (Damn you, Digo), a Procyon and former Marine. He hasn't said much about his background. Procyon are a race of humanoid Raccoons, very good with machinery, usually. They originate from Spain, or nearby. He's something of a cynic, like Trieva – live in this world, and it just happens. He's not much for improvising, but when he does, watch out. Trieva's been making a slow play for him – for her – and he's been running away. Very slowly.
It's not Earth, but another, similar planet on the fringes of a space-faring empire, the Saffia Empire. It's been 20 years since contact, which has been limited to the new Space Station. Nobody knows much about them. Well, our little group knows more than they want to.
(((())))
I tried to get up, but Marcus wasn't letting go. I rolled onto my back, grabbed the closest ear and twisted it. He grimaced and said, "Ow! Trieva, what's that for?"
"I've got to pee, Marcus. So unless you want to lie in it, let go." I've got to give him credit, he did. I got up and walked to the bathroom, sat and took care of business. I had a little time to think. I've played female characters more than once, but this wasn't going to be easy. Well, no, I didn't freak out. Maybe the process and circumstances did something. Most guys would have gone ballistic if they woke up like I had, if they weren't gay. I shrugged as I stood up and flushed. I'd have to figure this out as we went. Life wasn't going to wait for us.
I looked at myself in the mirror, and the first thing that caught my eye was the seriously touselled hair. I guess we had a good time. Trieva's about five feet tall, with a lithe, athletic build. If you need an image, she resembles Miyu from Starfox 2, which never made it out; Nintendo had gone straight to Starfox 64, instead. Too bad, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Her appearance fits Trieva better than the original pic I'd used.
Marcus is five-nine, average build, and carries himself like a soldier. He was either discharged or didn't re-up for reasons he didn't want to go into. Something like a conflict with his CO. The interesting thing is, like Trieva, he's into swords, and actually better with them than guns. Maybe we'll have some time to get to know each other better than we do, if they'll leave us alone.
I stopped and remembered what had really happened, and I cringed. Damn, what a mistake that could have been. We'd just finished our main task, getting Jessica Walker (later on) out of the reach of Umbrella Corporation (later on), and we'd gotten away more or less Scot-free. I'd felt like celebrating – I think everyone did – and my main focus was on Marcus. I should have known better. Somehow we both ended up in the same room, and as soon as we were alone, I was all over him. I'd had a bit of a dry spell, and there was still some after-effect of the drug (later on).
He got this pained expression, held me at arms' length and explained he wasn't looking for another relationship, and it was still a bad time. I remembered sneering something about guys being afraid to commit. Damn, how drunk was I? He said he wasn't ready. Then I saw his face clearly. I've only seen that expression a few times before; I calmed down some, and said she must have been really special, or went suddenly. He didn't say anything. So I kissed him, told him I was sorry – and I really was – and asked if he'd settle for just holding me. I needed company, and I think he did, too. He said he'd go that far. And that's how I nearly screwed up the first decent, real relationship I had.
I combed my hair and brushed my teeth, and scooted out of the way as Marcus walked in, just as he would have in the military. "I was wondering if you'd fallen in," he said with a sleepy grin.
I smiled around the toothbrush as I swatted him just above the root of his tail. For anyone who's wondering, that's not a "hot spot" erogenous zone, but you don't touch unless you're serious. Marcus knew how to ignore it, but I knew how to get past that, if I had to. It just wasn't time. "You had to use that cliché. Just for that, you can buy me breakfast."
"You spent three hundred bucks at Ammu-Nation, and I have to buy breakfast?"
"All I got from them besides what I bought was a lousy t-shirt. You wouldn't want me to lose interest, would you?" Sheesh. We sounded like a real couple. Did mom and dad ever talk like this? Did I really want to know?
"Let me think about that." I must have made the adjustment perfectly, 'cause I grabbed and pinched his ear as he started peeing; I think it was all he could do to stay quiet and not miss. He just stood there, one eye open as he grimaced.
I let go. "I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that." I did, actually. I didn't play those games, and I don't like people who do. So why was I playing it now?
"Okay, that wasn't the smartest thing to say, either," he admitted. I had to look away and go back to my teeth. Why'd I have to pick an anthromorph cat-girl? Because that's what Trieva was. She was a lot of things I probably wasn't to be able to deal with easily. She wasn't a slut, but she certainly wasn't a prude. Far from it. She was a smart-mouth. So far I don't think that got me into any trouble.
Marcus looked good, even "frizzed-out" from sleep. Enough to get me tingling, and we had other things to worry about, such as what Umbrella Corporation was up to. I don't know if they're still after me, and I still don't know exactly why. Whose cornflakes had I peed in? I think I knew the incident, but not who got hurt. If I knew that, maybe I could figure out what next.
It wasn't just me. Everyone in our little impromptu group was wanted. Kidnapping. Aiding and abetting a fugitive. Those were the big ones, but the situation had changed. Jessica Walker – an off-planet version of Angelina Jolie – had been returned to her father's security, and was on her way home, last we knew. We still had other problems.
Marcus finished up, then hugged me from behind. It felt good. "I recognize that expression," he said. "You're still worried. Jessica's safe, but we still have problems."
He let go as I rinsed my mouth, and I leaned back against him. "That obvious? Yeah, I am. Maybe we'll be out of Dutch with the Empire for Jessica, but we still have Umbrella. The Empire probably still wants Rei's dad, and I'm worried about Sam. Uncle Mike didn't say how she was. Then there's still Agent Wrong." I sighed. "Let's face it, we're in over our heads, Marcus. We don't know which way to jump."
"I don't know about that. Right now they don't know where we are, and with Jessica out of the area that should cool things off," he said as he stroked my arm idly. "I know you want to have it out with Miss Parker; every time you mention her, your eyes go hard. We need something to offer her so they'll back off. Even with that, we probably know too much."
"That's just part of it. Sam's missing and my boss in North/South AmCorp's dead, along with the rest of the leadership. We don't know if we're still wanted. Hell, Kate's probably got a 'detain for questioning' order out on her. Then there's whether Doctor Holder's got problems."
"Okay, one thing at a time. Let's get cleaned up and get breakfast. You'll be able to think a little better after food."
"Okay. I know the perfect way to wake up," I purred. I grabbed Marcus by a paw and dragged him toward the shower. He fought his way free, but I wasn't trying too hard. "One of these days, soldier boy," I teased as I stepped inside and closed the door.
"That's a while away, and you might want to be a little worried," he replied. "All you know is what I've told you."
I smiled at him through the glass. "Everyone needs something to look forward to."
(((())))
Marcus and I found some of our motley crew in the restaurant. Kristy looked at us and smiled, Kate smirked, and Reijyn snickered. I just looked smug. "Who else besides Nick is getting any?" I asked nastily. They stopped and returned to their food. Let them think it for a while; we'll crash that boat later.
Kristy Sloane is an Umbrella Corporation negotiator, but we're not sure if she's wanted or not. She's almost disgustingly attractive in a California way: Blonde, build like the usual brick outhouse, charismatic as hell. Good thing I'm interested in Marcus. Kate Jeffiries is a former NCIS investigator, now working for Baltimore PD, kind of a reverse Tony DiNozzo: All business, not much sense of humor, kinda mousy, but not bad overall. She's a real law-and-order freak, though, and I don't like that much. I'll explain later. Reijyn Holder is a techie Corp brat who got caught up in this because he'd gone with his dad on a company field trip. He's got a chip on his shouldeer the size of Alcatraz; well, the size Alcatraz was before we got there. Later on that, too.
Kate was a Half-Elf, Kristy was human, and Rei was a Moreau, part Rakasta and Procyon, and the worst of both, in my opinion. He still doesn't really believe Umbrella's partly behind our problems, even though he's seen enough to convince most people. He's still a kid in a lot of ways; me might be sixteen or seventeen. It's hard to tell with Furs. He's okay, as long as he stays quiet.
As we sat down, I asked, "Where's everyone else?" Nick, Azaria, Nathan and Tika were missing.
"They're either still sleeping, or just getting up," Kristy replied as though she knew. From my "superior" knowledge as the gamer, I knew she was psychic, so of course I didn't quite trust her. "What are you going to do? You've got your mind made up about something."
"Thanks for saying so, Kreskin." Trieva was something of a history and trivia buff, mostly because of "uncle" Michael Whitmer, a former Navy SEAL, and Samantha's father. He'd gotten her interested in old stuff, and sometimes it's fun for people to learn what came before. He'd also taught her to shoot, and that had been very useful in the past couple weeks. It seemed a lot longer.
Tika Maran came in, stopped and hugged me, and sat across the table, looking at Marcus appraisingly. "He'll do," she said with her usual irrepressible grin. Tika's my other best friend, and that freaks some people out. She's Di'Topi, which is a humanoid mouse race. We supposedly shouldn't get along, but some people are stupid enough to believe that. Tika's an EMT in 'Frisco, and she was grabbed right off the job when Umbrella or the Empire learned who my friends and family are. That was one reason we'd hit Alcatraz. Okay, time for more background.
(((())))
This isn't going to be too coherent. It's still a mish-mash. I don't know if it's ever going to make much sense. Thanks, Nick.
I guess it started with me. I'd been sent out by Mr Blake, N/S AmCorp's Regional COO, to find out more about the Saffia Empire, and see who else might be moving to get the technology they were offering, but behind everyone else's back. Umbrella being one of them, of course. I'd gone there under cover as a tourist, even thought I wasn't an "official" employee. I'd gotten mixed up in escorting Jessica Walker on a "safari" around the planet, along with Marcus and Kate. I should have stayed away. Jessica was an actress in the mold of Angelina Jolie, and wanted "an adventure" out in the wilds. Kinda like the Brits back in the 18th century, and like some Brits back then, she got more than she bargained for.
We'd gone to Nevada as a warm-up, and taught her to shoot properly, instead of for the camera (big difference), and we found and caught a stalker of hers – one of her crew, of all things. After that, it was off to Kenya (Come and see lions, only in Kenya!), and that's where we found a rebel base. Yeah, rebelling against the Empire, and after we asked Jessica a few things we kinda agreed. But that can wait. Two Imperial Criminal Investigators – Wrong and Azaria – appeared, took custody of the stalker and reported on the base; about that time an Umbrella flight carrying weapons to the rebels arrived at the local airport. Then came the "fun". Imperial forces blasted the base, airport and the nearby town into dust, and tried to do the same to us. They also captured Doctor Holder, and tried to get his son, but Nick Tarantino, another Umbrella operative, rescued him. We all ended up on Jessica's ship, running for our lives, including Azaria, an Aslan (Feline) from the Empire. Once we lost pursuit – thanks to some really good flying by Jessica's pilot Reggie – we ended up in Rio after a brief stop in Antarctica for repairs and were able to sort the mess out.
It wasn't good. The Empire wanted Rei's dad, but we didn't know why. Azaria learned she'd been "burned", and threw in with us. She didn't have anywhere else to go. We found out I was wanted by Umbrella, but no reason was given, and Nick was supposed to bring me in. He refused, and that's when the fight started – literally. His team turned on him. Kristy was there as a negotiator, but the rebels were gone, obviously. Azaria told us the Empire's line, and not everyone liked it.
The Empire was kind of familiar – Humans and Elves on top, then Orcs and everyone else below, in a convoluted class-system. Hell, it made Arcturia look good. Here I was a Second, maybe First-Class citizen, which wasn't too bad; there I was nothing. They also were going to take Arcturia as an addition, but not nicely. As we ducked and ran for cover in SouthAm – Umbrella had grabbed the ship briefly – we heard reports of "accidents" and "acts of god" that killed non-humans or sympathetic people in charge, and they were replaced by Humans or Elves who – I'm such a cynic in these situations – "just happened" to agree with the Empire's racist attitudes. Gee, welcome back to Rome.
Through all this we were gathering information on friends and loved ones. Someone – we think Umbrella, under Saffia orders – tried to grab Rei's mom, but they found out the hard way scientists aren't helpless or harmless. It didn't help that she's Rakasta, and I'd say there was a ninja clan somewhere in her family line. That's about when Tika was grabbed, and Sam disappeared. My family was okay; Uncle Mike took care of that, plus getting them off my trail, once we got into the 'Frisco area. We finally learned what the Empire was really up to when we invaded – I can't call it anything else – Alcatraz to rescue Tika and Doctor Holder. Yes, we broke into The Rock, and managed to break it. They were manufacturing a drug that would have caused every Fur exposed to it to die. I won't go into specifics. Not yet. We accidentally blew up the facility, and cracked a chunk of the island off in the process. That worked as a nice distraction as Kate, Marcus, Nick and I went after the cell block.
In the meantime, Rei and Kristy had stumbled into their communications center, and found the information on the drug and how it was going to be delivered. Nasty. It was part of the plastics and latex used in sex toys, and of course only Furs were affected. That pretty much told us their attitude toward us. When the facility blew, everyone was exposed, but only Marcus and I were affected. It turned out because Rei was genetically engineered, he was immune, and that's when it clicked why they'd grabbed his dad.
We'd been really lucky coming in. Kristy, Kate, Rei and I came in on a small boat at night. The others – Nick and Marcus – parachuted after dropping a bunch of improvised bombs to take out the towers. It worked; I'm still amazed. Two towers were blown apart, and the security team didn't know which way to go, at first. I took care of the only real threats left by counter-sniping two guys from the remaining towers, and I got a nice Imperial laser rifle out of it. Kate and I made our way into the basement and got Tika and Doctor Holder out without much fuss, other than taking down guards while Nick and Marcus kept them occupied. Everyone escaped without any life-threatening injuries, and we stole a helicopter and left as the Navy and Coast Guard were investigating the fireball you could see from the whole Bay area. We thought we were finished when Imperial fighters formed up on us, but it was forces loyal to Jessica's father, and they escorted us to safety. Jessica left after thanking us. Azaria stayed, having been branded as a traitor. Like I said, she had nowhere else to go.
Yeah, I know, crazy stuff. I didn't go into much detail about how we got the message out, or how we got the boat, or the mechanics of the Saffia plot. Too much, and too crazy. That's how this particular GM plays his worlds. We never finished; it stopped not long after Jessica left. And that's when I ended up in the story.
We still had a lot to deal with. Agent Wrong, for example. Some things he said as we played hide-and-seek told me he thought he was going to be Arcturia's Imperial governor. Son of a whore. Can't say bitch; Lupines think it's funny. Anyway, we still didn't know our status. From what we learned about the rebels, they were against the current system, but I'm still not sure what parts of it. Either way, Arcturia wasn't going to have a good time, because they were here. Harboring traitors. Just the excuse they needed. Freakin' convenient. What isn't helping is the UN signed a trade agreement while we were ducking for our lives, keeping Jessica away from Umbrella, and rescuing Doctor Holder. So much for my mission, right? I'm not even sure I've got North/South AmCorp's support. Only Mr. Blake knew, aside from two of his main operatives, and I don't know who's in charge. We're all in the same boat, and that sucks. It pisses me off, too. Everything was going so well.
(((())))
Nick, Azaria, Nathan and Doctor Holder joined us after a few minutes. I was pleased that Azaria sat with us; we had more in common, I guess. It didn't matter. Everyone in this group was somewhere between a wanted criminal and a victim. It all depended which version you went with.
Rei and his dad leaned together, talking. Rei didn't seem to like what he was hearing. Well, he had his dad back; maybe he'd act like a person, and especially get off my back. So I tackled Tarantino, and Wrong got away with his dad; how was I to know who was who? Damned kid was spoiled and ignorant, but try to tell him anything. He seemed to really believe Umbrella was as great as its advertising said. Bull. Tell that one to Sam.
Nathan (Di'Topi) and Nick (Human) ended up together with Kristy and Kate, which was fine with me. As a bounty hunter (dangerous animals) and skip-tracer (people), I don't get along with authority figures well. Anyone who wants to believe what they see on video does at their own risk. The law is very specific on what I can and can't do, and how much authority I really have. Bounty hunting (people) is illegal outside NorthAm; it's kidnapping anywhere else. What you see isn't real; video is always fiction. It has to be entertaining, period. The truth usually gets shown the door.
Anyway, I was enjoying my breakfast when Nick said, "All right, what next? We're still not in the clear." He looked around the table at everyone. "Miss Parker still wants you."
"Gee, thanks, Captain Obvious," I replied nastily. "I kinda had that figured out. Any other brilliant insights?"
"Theoretically, I'm supposed to help," Kate added. "I'm a cop, remember?"
"Are you sure about that?" I asked. "They had paper out on you, too. They even had paper on Kristy."
"What?"
"There were posters in several places in Rio," Sloane confirmed. "You were in a few. I think 'aiding and abetting' was one charge."
"That's bull!" Kate looked at Kristy and I indignantly, like we were making it up just to tweak her.
"I'm afraid that's true," Tarantino said. "I still have sources I can tap, and they're right. Not just Jessica, but Rei and Doctor holder."
I didn't say anything. I didn't need to. She'd figure it out. Tika, like always, wasn't that reticent. "If you believe that, you're wearing blinders. I was grabbed right out of my station house, and nobody said 'boo'. That's not hard to do when the government's involved." Tika's no dummy, by any means. She could have been a medical doctor if she'd wanted to, but stayed local.
"I assure you it's entirely possible," Doctor Holder countered. "I've heard the news, too. Now that North/South AmCorp is the Empire's official arm, you can't count on anything. They wanted to know about my work, and I have no doubt they'd get it any way they had to. By using Rei or my wife as tools. You haven't spent any time with them; I have, more than enough for a life-time, Ms Jeffries." Kate stared at him, unbelieving.
"How'd you know my name?"
"How do you think he knows your name?" Kristy replied. "You enforce the law. The GovCorps are the law, whatever they want it to be, if I'm not mistaken. Your information is in a database that's restricted, but not impossible to get into." She nodded at Rei. "Even he could find it if he used the right channels." She shrugged. "Privacy isn't what it used to be."
"So, how do you cope with that?" Kate asked.
"The same way I did," Azaria answered. "You don't think about it, and keep what you don't want known out of official records." She smiled, and it wasn't pleasant. "To quote your Han Solo, 'Sometimes that's the real trick'." I found myself liking her more; she thought the same way I did. I guess she was more comfortable with us and opened up some.
"Nick's right, we're all hanging in the breeze," Nathan replied. Sometimes Di'Topi were too blunt. That didn't change anything.
"We can argue about this all day – like usual – but it's not going to do any good. We need a plan," Marcus said.
I stared at the wall between Azaria and Tika. I had a plan, but I was sure nobody was going to like it. Miss Parker wasn't trying to grab me because she wanted to. From what Nathan said after Parker fired Nick, it wasn't her idea; the orders came from higher up. She probably didn't know what the Empire was doing, either, and wouldn't like it. Again, from Nathan, she was Rakasta. I was sure she wouldn't be happy to know what was going on in 'Frisco. Hmm, wasn't she in charge of the local Umbrella branch here?
I refocused on the group to find Kristy watching me, and she replied, "No, she won't." She paused and thought as she ate her cereal. "It could work." She looked at Rei. "If we can get the information together."
"What?" Holder replied. "Why are you looking at me?"
"Only children never learn to share," Sloane replied icily. "You barely contributed to our efforts, and only when it suited you or you were forced. I wonder if you're a good son," she finished, looking at his father and raising an eyebrow. Wow, she's good.
The doctor looked at Rei and said, "He's a good son. His mother saw to that." He tapped the table, and Rei looked up at him. "You will support your friends' efforts, Reijyn. This is for our benefit, as well as theirs. I'm sure you'd like to see your mother without having to worry about who might jump out of the bushes."
Rei looked at him, then nodded. After finishing his breakfast, he turned to me and asked sullenly, "What do you need?"
"A better attitude, but that can wait. I need everything you found on Alcatraz, arranged so anyone can figure out what they're doing. Pull together everything you can about who's been giving the orders; I know we found a lot of that on our trip north. Put it all together, have Kristy check it, and then make several copies. I get one. The rest go to the CDC, AMRIID, Johns-Hopkins, any major infectious disease center. This has to get out, period."
"Why?" Damn it, I was gonna punch his lights out if he didn't stop that.
"Damn it, you're no idiot. You saw the information, and you know it'll kill any Fur who's exposed to it," I said.
"If your mother dies, I will never forgive you, Reijyn," Doctor Holder replied. "From what I was told, you were unaffected, but everyone else was. Does that mean anything to you?" Rei showed some "humanity". Finally. He actually teared up and shook his head. "Then you will do this, or you are no longer my son."
Ouch. I grimaced; I couldn't help it. That's something Eastern and European cultures have in common, and it's the social equivalent of a total nuclear wipe-out. Turned out, dis-owned, no family. The worst thing you could do, or have done to you. I'm so glad I'm female and the youngest. It still wasn't right.
"That's a bit much, Holder-san," I said in Rakasta. He looked at me curiously. My tone was mildly threatening. "People who go for the wipe-out as an opening move usually don't know what they're doing. You save that as your last option."
Rei looked at me as though seeing me for the first time, then skeptically. "Why do you care?"
"I didn't say that. I'm not defending you. I'm just saying he's going too far," I replied. "This kind of thing breaks up families, and I'm fairly sure your dad doesn't want your mom angry with him. Not the four-foot-angry you implied." Doctor Holder thought about that, then nodded. "All right, then. All I want is the information. Your problems are your own."
"Okay, you'll get it, but why do you want to give it to Miss Parker? She's in on it."
"No, she's not," Nick said. "All she really knows is what she's being told, and it's not everything. Nobody in their right mind does something that's going to kill them." Nathan nodded when Rei looked at him.
"I'm going to trade the information for being left alone," I said. "If I can get her to confirm who's giving the orders, that's a bonus. And it's not just me. She's going to pull the paper on everyone, or she doesn't get a thing. I'll show her just enough to let her know I've got something she wants more than us." I smiled bloodlessly. "She wants to live, right?"
"You're playing a dangerous game," Azaria warned. "If she's not careful, Wrong will hear about this, and he'll be after us like a demon."
"That doesn't change anything. He already is. We made him look stupid, and he can't live that down. No male can."
Marcus tapped the back of my paw, and gave me a look when I looked at him. "You're not including me in that, I hope."
"Not the same way. Male pride takes hits from lots of things, and don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. You still won't talk about why you left the Marines. There's always a reason." I sighed and took his paw. "Look, I don't want to know right now, but I want to know, some time. I haven't kept many secrets. No reason to. It's hard to trust someone who stays closed up."
"Okay, but it'll take a while. I still don't like to think about it."
"That's fine." I turned back to the others. "One thing at a time. Parker first, then the rest."
Nick watched, and he said, "Too bad you worked for NorthAm."
"Don't even go there. The coyote population explosion fourteen years ago was Umbrella's doing. I found that out when I was hunting them down after Sam's dog got eaten. The Asian Panel was playing games, and Umbrella was part of it, so there's no way I'd work for them. It's only business until someone gets hurt, then it gets personal, Nicky Baby."
He blinked; I suppose he never knew about that. No one ever does; the GovCorps are even worse about hiding things one part of the organization does from another than the military, according to Uncle Mike. I needed to talk to him. I had to find out how Sam was doing.
"Okay, we'll get it together. How do you intend to get her to show up, and where?" Kristy asked.
"You got her number? Personal, not business."
"No, why should I?"
"Negotiators have to report in every now and then, at any time, don't they?" She nodded. "So stop lying and give." She looked at me for a few long minutes, then keyed up her 'link and handed it over. I entered the number into mine, cleared hers and handed it back. "There. You're out of the loop, so you have less to worry about." Sloane looked at me oddly, and I said, "She'd know where it came from, right?" Kristy sighed. "Hey, lighten up. If this works, Umbrella will have other things to worry about."
"You hope," Kate said. For the umpteenth time, I had to wonder if she was a pathological cynic or just upset other people could be smart without her permission.
"Nobody will like this, especially the Empire. It ruins their carefully-crafted image," Azaria replied. "Word of something like this usually doesn't get out until long after it's over, and I'm not speaking of the Empire. I've studied some of your history, and it's not perfect for similar reasons."
She had a point. History here paralleled Earth's, but only so far. After the First and Second World Wars, we had two more big, nasty ones: An Islamic Jihad, which ended badly for the Muslim nations, and a Corporate War that gave us the mixed government/Corporate system we have today. Better and worse, but not much of a change from the late 20th century, at least according to Uncle Mike. Of course, he was born near 2000, and he told me a little of what his grandfather had said about earlier. Not much of a change, really. Well other than Christianity doesn't exist, which I don't mind that at all. What? Nope, nothing like that. No real explanation from the GM, either. Maybe later into the campaign, but his tend to stall and die at a "rest stop". And just when everything starts getting interesting, sometimes. Sometimes you can know too much, but unfortunately, I didn't know enough, not about what mattered.
I looked at Tarantino, and compared him to the one I knew in the "real world". This Tarantino was just like him, but about twenty years younger, which kinda figured. He always managed to put himself into the campaign, or some of his "power" characters, like Snow, who was a Rakasta who apparently had ties to ancient Egypt. One of these days I'd ask about him, but I'd have to be ready for a long, involved story. I'm glad I never yielded to that temptation; it's too easy to push the PCs to the side, while the "Mary Sue/Larry Stu" types did all the hard work. Hey, that's our job.
Nick was thinking, probably weighing the odds. I'd decided getting Miss Parker out of the way was one thing that needed to happen. We already had the Empire after us, probably with NorthAm as their attack dogs, and getting her out of the picture would make things easier. Not easy. Nothing was ever easy. He'd have to see that. We tended to think alike, which was a good thing. Sometimes.
"I'll go with that, but only so far," he said, which I took as a victory. "You want her off our backs so we can concentrate on other things?" I nodded. Nick's never a complete idiot when it matters. "Okay, but there's no guarantee she won't take you in. Someone else is calling the shots, remember?"
"Like I could forget. Look, it's not you she's after, except for disobeying orders. Nathan told me was it wasn't her idea, and she didn't like it. I'm gonna guess because she understands it's only business. He's taking it personally." I looked at Nathan. "Who was it again?"
"Doctor Yama Kohashi. He's on the Board of Directors," he replied.
"Oh, fan-frakkin'-tastic!" Sometimes you have to stop pretending you're a lady and just let it out. "I've got the whole damn Board after my ass! What else can go wrong? I'm sick and tired of running, worried about my friends, cut off from my family, stuck with an attitude-case Umbrella brat, a prissy, self-righteous cop and I'm completely on my own! Someone's going to pay!" Well, not completely alone, but the people who could really help me were probably hunting me, now. What am I supposed to do?
Marcus grabbed me and held on, soothing me. I gradually settled down, but through a blood-red haze I was seeing my paws around various Human throats, choking the living shit out of them. I so wanted that, and I couldn't touch the bastards who were playing God with us. I wanted blood so bad I could taste it. I re-focused enough to find out I'd bitten my tongue during my fit. I so wanted to find whoever it was, jam my Glock's barrel in their mouth and pull the trigger. Hey, be a hunted animal for two weeks and see how long it takes you to snap.
When I stopped seeing red, I noticed everyone was looking at me as though I'd gone crazy. Well, I couldn't blame them. I'd kept it locked up the entire time, other than taking swipes at Rei when he pushed too far. I could see he was about to make some smart-assed comment, and I snarled, "One word and you'll wish I'd killed you. I've had enough, and I'm not taking any more." He shut his mouth when his father tapped his paw. I finally calmed down and panted awhile. I'd heard you could be so pissed it'd drain you, but I'd never believed it until now.
"Come on, tell us straight, how do you really feel?" Nick said. Everyone chuckled uneasily, and I actually laughed. It felt like I hadn't laughed in forever. "Okay, I guess we can go with your plan, Trieva. Where did you plan to meet?"
"I was born in 'Frisco, Nicky Baby. I know the city and I can get lost here better than any outsider can look, and I know the people. I've got friends in Little Osaka and Chinatown. I know who to talk to, and they won't give gaijin the time of day. I know plenty of places too public to pull any stunt, but you can still have someone as over-watch. And that's if she even recognizes me. I made Kate look human, and that takes work, so my disguise skill is pretty good." I pushed, and Marcus let me go. I patted his arm and leaned forward. "I'm a hell of a lot smarter than I look, and you know how Japanese culture is toward girls, right? Kohashi might not take me seriously, but Parker will. She can't afford to assume anything, so I'm betting she'll at least listen. After all, her boss isn't slated to die, is he?" I smoothed my hair and fur back into place. "Survival is the first instinct, no matter what anyone might say. You can't do shit if you're dead."
"She's right," Marcus said. "Nobody wants to die, unless they're crazy. Is Miss Parker crazy?"
"No, she's not," Tarantino admitted. "But she's cold, and all business. She's very attractive for a Rakasta, and I wouldn't say she's not vain enough to think she's more important than you are. She doesn't like it when things go wrong, or against her orders."
"Aw, wah. Okay, if she wants me, she's gonna have to work for it. Her, not some flunky. Present company accepted," I said to take the sting out of what I'd said. I was cool again, and I could think. "We'll meet in Golden Gate Park. Just her. The place is open enough that someone can watch, but not get too close. That's why I want Marcus in a boat near Strawberry Hill, where he can watch the Chinese Pavilion. There's only one way onto that island, and you can see it from the Japanese Tea Garden. That's where I want you for obvious back-up."
"Why not take me?" Kate asked.
"Because you're a cop. The Empire's in control. The Gov/Corp chiefs were all killed and replaced, remember? A satellite fell on them. The rebels did it. How freaking convenient. Don't be too surprised if you get a call from your boss saying bring me in, unless you want to be known as a rogue cop. Bad news all around." I sighed. "Why doesn't anyone think about this? Oh, yeah, you trust the Gov/Corp. I trust people. That's the difference."
Nathan and Tika were talking in Di'Topi while this went on, and they waited for us to shut up. "Trieva's right," Tika said. "She knows 'Frisco that well, and she's right about the Park. We've been there more than once with Samantha, and I know where she means."
"The only way on and off is the bridge, and you can see the Pavilion from there easily. People rent boats all the time, and wouldn't be questioned." Nathan stopped and his eyes went far away. I watched, interested in what he had to say. So far he hadn't given me any double-talk. "The only way you could watch without being noticed would be from an airship or satellite, but you can't do anything except talk others into place, and they'd be easy to see." He smiled. "It's just about perfect."
"If you can come up with that, so could someone else," Kristy said.
"I'll tell her if she doesn't show at the time I give, she loses a big bargaining chip, as well as the real story, and I'll bet she wants that," I replied. "And no time for a real set-up either. Maybe a half hour, tops. Just enough time to get there from the Downtown office, and nothing else."
"If she goes for it," Rei said. "She's a Division Chief. They don't like being told what to do by underlings, never mind outsiders."
"I'll give her just enough to make her want to show," I said. "That's why I want the outline. She gets that, I'm sure she'll want the rest. Anything to stay alive and maybe get ahead. Imagine how much this will shake up the Panel and North/South Am. It might not make much of a difference in the big picture or the long run, but it'll give us some breathing room." I sighed again. "Let's face it, the Empire's here to stay. I just want my family and friends to be all right. If that means I have to go away, then I'll go."
"Go where?" Azaria asked intently.
"Could you possibly have a worse poker face?" She chuckled. "It sounds like you expect me to go off-planet, and you could be right. I can't stay in NorthAm, and there's nowhere I can go that Umbrella can't." I saw Rei nod absently. "Hell, all of us might have to go, 'cause some fell down on the job. I'm pretty sure Umbrella isn't very forgiving, and I know for a fact North/South Am isn't. I've only freelanced for them for the past six or seven years, and I've heard the stories from the men who were there."
Tarantino nodded. "Okay, I guess we have a plan. What about if it all goes south? She could have the cops waiting, and I'm sure someone on the force knows you fairly well. You have to work within the law, and that means playing by their rules."
"The only thing they'd know is I freelance for NorthAm. Used to freelance. It's been a whole week, and I don't think the shake-up's over with. They're still trying to figure out who's what and where, and it can't settle down fast. Too much, and no time. Nobody moves that fast." I grinned. "Unless you're on the run, of course."
Nick looked around the table, then at me. "Are you sure you can get away if you have to?"
"You remember my little disguise leaving Argentina?" He nodded. "Fifteen minutes tops, with a change of clothes. I just need to hit the local CVS, Walgreens or SavOn. I've spent enough time out in the bush to make it out of the Park safely. The biggest problem most people have is staying put. It's never safe to run, 'cause you always draw attention."
He thought, then nodded. "I'm in. Marcus?"
"I'm in. It couldn't hurt to have their communications fail," he replied, looking at Rei.
Holder smiled. "When are you gonna give me a tough job?" he asked. I snickered and settled into giggles. I couldn't help it, because I was thinking Sam would like a toy-boy of her own. "What's so funny?"
"You really don't want to know. Naughty, naughty, Trieva," Kristy said. I only stuck out my tongue, and kept on giggling.
"I sure don't," Kate said. "I don't like that smile. It's evil."
"It sure is," Marcus confirmed. "Behave," he whispered into my ear. I kept giggling. Azaria must have recognized why, as she smiled evilly. "You get to drive this time, Nathan. We don't have any planes."
"Then we're set," Nick said. "Well, once Trieva settles down."
(((())))
About three hours later, Kristy handed me the datacard. "I hope you know what you're doing," she said.
"Me too," I replied. If there was a better way, I couldn't think of it, and nobody else seemed able to. They weren't able to think the way I could, and I chalked it up to not having the right kind of experience or mind-set. I sighed internally, then walked outside. El Cerrito's a little north of Berkeley near I-80, and theoretically we'd have time to scoot if they came after us. The helicopter we'd grabbed might help, but it'd be obvious, too. If we had to, we'd scatter and re-group somewhere I knew was safe.
I took out my commlink and keyed Miss Parker's number. The datacard was in its slot, ready to go. Vilina, please don't let me screw up. I've never been much for praying, either.
Three rings, and there was a crisp, "Hello?" She even sounded cold.
"Miss Parker, I presume?"
"Who is this?"
"I'll save you the trouble of back-searching. It's Trieva Fontaine."
There was a long silence. "What do you want?"
"I have some information I think you might be interested in. Something our new masters have planned for us."
"I don't see how you have anything to offer, Fontaine. You're still wanted, and I'll see you're brought in."
"Or Director Kohashi will have your head," I added. There was another silence.
"All right, you have my undivided attention. What do you have?"
"Set your comm for data receive, and look at what I'm sending. You'll get the rest, but you and I have to meet in person. I have a trade in mind." I sent the data. It was now or never.
"You're in no position to make – Ara mai tentei." I couldn't grin, as much as I wanted to. I knew the shock and horror she was just starting to feel; it'd probably be followed by betrayal and anger. "Is this real?"
"I got hit by the stuff last night. You might guess where and how. I was horny enough to jump a straight line or a hard stare. We got the information from, let's say, unusual sources," I told her. "It's real. We've got everything we gathered since we began running in Kenya. It's not a pretty picture, especially when you take recent events in the news into account."
There was a very long silence. "When and where?"
I checked the time. "Golden Gate Park. Noon, sharp. Go to the Japanese Tea Garden. I'll contact you. You, and you alone, or the deal's off," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"That's unacceptable."
"That's too bad. If you want the whole picture, you'll come. I can always get it out through other channels."
Another long silence. "All right, but you'd better be right. If you're jerking me around – "
"And Nathan said you were all business," I sneered. That shut her up for a while. "It's just that, Miss Parker. I know you didn't give the order because you think I'm a problem. Someone else does. I didn't hurt you."
"All right, Miss Fontaine. I'll be there. Goodbye." The line went dead, and I shut down my link. I walked back inside mine and Marcus' room, sat on the bed and shivered. I'd done everything I could think of.
Nathan was right, she was cold. I've heard of "Ice Princesses", but now I was going to meet one, and I wasn't looking forward to it like I thought I would. I'm in way over my head, but I can't think of anything else.
Something was blinking in the corner of my vision. + 1930 xp. Well, I might as well get all the advantages I could. I was multiclassing, Fast/Smart, and just reached my second Smart level. I had an Ability improvement coming, so I took care of that first – Intelligence rose to 17. Not enough for an adjustment; that would be the next one, if there was a next one. Base Attack Bonus rose to +2. Class Bonus Feat was Gearhead, which would improve Repair and Computer Use, and I needed those to take care of my gear. 7 more Action Points, and another d6+3 hit points. That could help a lot.
I got a whopping 12 Skill Points, and I improved Move Silently, Hide, Knowledge (Streetwise) and Investigate by 2 apiece. I'd need the last two for Tracer. I felt a little better. At least I was able to do better in a fight, if it came to that. All I wanted to do was talk.
Marcus came in, sat beside me and took me in his arms. That helped a lot. "Ready?" he asked.
"I'll have to be." I saw the box he'd brought in with him and smiled. Another semi-auto M-4 clone to replace the one those creatures had eaten. "You gonna be able to keep that one?" I asked with a wan smile.
"I hope so." He nuzzled me and let go. We had to get moving.
I stood up and began packing my stuff. I'd have to do laundry at some point, but like I said to the gang earlier, you can't to shit if you're dead. I was done fairly quickly; you learn how to pack light and quickly in the field.
"I had an idea that should help us," Marcus told me as we walked outside. "We'll have Nathan use the helicopter to spot for us. He should know what to look for. It looks enough like the traffic type to go unnoticed.
"Good idea, though a modified CH-46 might get noticed." When Marcus looked at me, I said, "Uncle Mike's where I get my information. I hope they got away all right."
"You can call them after this is over." I hoped so.
We boarded the chopper and Nathan lifted off, pointing us at San Francisco International Aerospaceport. Soon we were getting out, and he lifted off with everyone still aboard, except me, Nick and Marcus. Tarantino rented a car and drove us – following my directions – to the Park with about twenty minutes to spare. I walked to the Chinese Pavilion on Strawberry Hill, where I had a clear view of the Garden, as Marcus rented a boat. Nick arrived at the Garden, waved, and faded from sight.
We were travelling light, for each of us. I had my Glocks in their shoulder holsters and my knives, hidden under a leather jacket. My paired wakizashi were still with my other gear, as they'd stand out like anything. The improvised disguise kit and a change of clothes were in my backpack with Marcus. Binoculars and an earpiece completed my gear. Nick and Marcus were hiding longarms under long coats; I have no idea how they were able to do that. They had earpieces and binoculars as well.
One thing about Miss Parker, she was punctual. She reached the Garden at noon on the dot, and stood there looking at it. Nathan's description left something to be desired. She was as beautiful as he'd said, but nothing else beyond that. She was an interesting blend of what I could see was Abyssinian form and grace with Siamese markings. She'd be exotic wherever she went. Her expression and cold blue eyes killed the effect of what any male would want. Yep, an Ice Princess.
"In position," Marcus said in my ear. "Ditto," Nick responded. "And there's our little Miss Frigidaire. Nasty, isn't she?"
"You're not helping," I said quietly. "Okay, here goes." I dialed her again, and watched as she picked up. "Yes?"
"Turn around and look across the lake," I told her. She did, and her eyes narrowed as they scanned the area, then found me. "That's right. I'm impressed. I wasn't sure you'd do what I said."
"Give me some credit for intelligence," she replied. "I'll be there shortly. This had better be worth the trouble."
"More than you're prepared for," I said, then cut off. I watched as she walked the path along the south shore and crossed the bridge. I lost her as the island blocked my view, but soon enough she was standing in front of me, studying me. "Let's look at the water," I said, turning and leaning against the rail.
She joined me after a few seconds. "An interesting choice," she said. "Public, yet private. You can see nearly everything, but not everyone can see you. You're very good. I almost wish we'd gotten you first."
"Not after Nevada," I said. "I know it wasn't personal, but it was to me, at first. After a while, I learned what was going on, and it became just business." I saw her nod out of the corner of my eye. The preliminaries were done. I took out the datacard and set it on the rail. She waited, then picked it up and sloted it into a very nice, complex-looking 'link. I wondered just how high up in the organization she really was. She ran the trouble-shooting branch, and I could see why she was there. I suppressed a shiver and looked across the lake, where I picked out Nick, who was pretending to bird-watch. Well, that depends on the kind of birds you prefer. His have tits.
I should mention that in 2050 on Arcturia, we're about half-way between the present – 2012 – and the Shadowrun period, around 2070. That's how our GM described the planet. Explains Gov/Corps, I guess.
Miss Parker stayed silent, her eyes flicking back-and-forth as she read the information. Some she knew; it was in Umbrella. She seemed genuinely surprised at a few things, probably who had died and been moved up in North/South Am. She scowled, which told me she'd found what we'd picked up on Alcatraz. She turned and looked at me when she read what I'd learned before I got sent on this mission: Umbrella's involvement with the coyote genetic manipulation, and the end-game in Chile.
"Interesting reading," she said. After another few minutes studying me, she asked, "And this in exchange for what?"
"Call off all your dogs, and I mean all of them. Just so you know, we rescued Doctor Holder from Alcatraz, so you don't need Jessica any more; she's off-planet, now, and way out of your reach. Pull all the paper you issued on us. That includes Nick and Nathan. We're not your problem any more, and we don't need one more."
"I don't understand."
"You can't be serious." I looked at her, then continued, "North/South AmCorp is in the Empire's pocket by now, or soon will be. They'll stay after me, I'm sure, and everyone who was caught with me. We screwed up their plans, and Azaria implied they're not very forgiving. At the moment, they can move in like the British in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. All they needed was an excuse. The rebels in Kenya, even though they're dead. This couldn't have gone better for them if they'd planned it, and I wouldn't count that out. One thing's for sure: They don't need Furs, and they don't care what happens to us. I feel like the wolves that were hunted almost to extinction back in the twentieth century. They don't need to do that, but I get the impression that's never been a problem."
Parker turned, leaned against the rail and looked across the lake. She straightened abruptly, and I noticed Nick was watching her, his eyes as cold as hers. I shivered.
"Hey, guys, I've got incoming," Nathan said in our ears. "'Frisco Police, ground and air. They're telling me to get away, something about a hostage situation."
I looked at Parker accusingly. "You called them."
"I had no choice. I can't overtly help you, but I can withdraw the warrants on the grounds that you're no longer a threat. Who will believe you? This is all I can do without being suspected. Did you really think your former employers wouldn't find you? You can't be that naïve."
Actually, I could. I didn't think they'd look because I was a small fish. "I guess our business is done," I said. "Thanks for your time."
"Hey, guys, they're not 'Frisco's Finest," Nathan said. "Not unless they carry laser weapons and what looks like really overpowered stunners. I've gotta clear out. They're saying they're gonna shoot."
"Get out, Nathan. We'll re-group at the Coliseum, four o'clock," I said. The Oracle Coliseum had been abandoned after the 8.9 that hit back in '30. "Marcus, it's time for a quick fade. Come get me."
"On my way," he replied. Miss Parker leaned against the rail as though nothing was happening. I slipped through it and moved to the shore as Marcus brought the boat in. "Need a ride, lady?" he asked with a grin.
"Who're you calling a lady?" Miss Parker actually laughed. Well, maybe the guys were wrong. I got in the boat and he rowed towards the Garden, where Nick waited in the shadow of the trees.
Miss Parker's 'link signalled, and she said, "Yes, Kristy?"
Sloane's voice spoke into our ears. "After some consideration, and seeing what you've just done, I'm tendering my resignation, effective immediately. Make sure I get my severance package. Have a nice day, bitch." Well, that was interesting.
I could barely hear Miss Parker as she replied, "Accepted. You'll get everything that's coming to you, Kristy. Goodbye." I wondered if Kate was doing the same thing, but I didn't think so. Some people don't understand the old proverb about having to abandon your baggage many times over a long life. I did. It had come home to roost with a vengeance.
(((())))
As we reached the shore, Nick ran out to meet us. "Move it, they're crossing to the island," he said. "I didn't think Kristy would do that. She didn't have to."
"Maybe she had an attack of conscience," Marcus said. He looked around and added, "Well, you said you know this city. Get us out of here."
"Okay, first let's get out of sight. Gimme my pack." Marcus passed it to me as Nick led us to a nice hiding place that still let us watch. I stopped and closed my eyes, remembering the park's layout. "Okay, we've got a restroom twenty meters that way," I said, pointing. "We'll do our quick make-overs there, then just act like park visitors."
"Okay, but I can't do what you did," Marcus replied as we walked.
"Don't worry. You 're in my capable paws." I can't help it. Maybe Marcus and I had a way to go, but that's not going to stop me.
"This is not the time for a quickie," Nick said as he took tail-end-Charlie.
"You'll believe anything. Get your mind out of the gutter." I spotted the restroom, and thankfully it was empty. Nick kept watch as I opened my pack and took out several items. "Strip to your skivvies, Marine." Marcus did, and I began applying the dye, blending it into his own color. There. A nice pepper grey-brown with some black peeking through. "Change."
As he did, I stripped and began applying dye to myself, darkening my buff-colored pelt to an Iberian brownish-grey. I had to have Marcus apply it where I couldn't see or reach, and a quick look in the mirrors confirmed he'd done a good job. "Want a job as a fur-dresser?"
"Nah, I'm not gay." Marcus traded places with Tarantino as I changed clothes. "He's all yours."
"Okay, Nicky Baby, you're going to look very Italian," I said as he stripped off his shirt. The dye darkened his light Mediterranean complexion to a deep olive. He didn't shiver, which surprised me. 'Frisco's climate's generally cooler then the rest of the Region. I guess he was a real pro.
"Hey, Nick, you're not going to like who's in charge," Nathan's voice said. "It looks like Greyson's got your old job."
Nick replied, "I'm not worried. I taught him everything he knows."
"But not everything you know, right?" Marcus asked. "Two people coming by, looks like they might stop." I quickly wiped away the excess dye, and blotted any uneven spots. I combed the greying agent through his hair, adding about ten years to his appearance.
"Okay, you're done. Get dressed." Nick did, and he looked surprisingly like a mid-level corporation man in the slacks, shirt and sweater. Wow, sometimes I really get it right. I trashed the dyes and so forth, and we all walked out, looking more like cube-farm refugees on a long lunch break than fugitives. "Where are the rifles?"
"Disassembled, and in the coats." Nick had his hanging over his arm wile Marcus wore his like a cape. "Now, Rei," Nick said, and our comms had a quick burst of static.
"Okay, they're having problems. You can still talk, and your 'links are clear. You need to get moving, because NorthAm troops are mobilizing." I whistled. "Yeah, they're calling out the big guns."
It must have been more serious than I thought. "Any indication why?" Nick asked.
"Nothing yet, but we're having problems breaking their encryption. It's serious stuff, according to Rei."
"Hang on," I said, and dug out my 'link. I had an encryption key for my own personal use. Maybe it would help. I set it up and sent it Nathan's way. "Have him try this.."
A few minutes later, Nathan replied, "Wow, they let you keep this?"
"That was when Mister Blake was still alive. He authorized it. Is it working?" I asked.
"Sure is. Troops are mobilizing because of the group here. I don't think it's NorthAm searching for you, but we have no idea who they are." There was a brief conversation, and Nathan added, "Azaria says they're Imperial Special Operations, and them being here is bad news. You need to get out of there."
"And you need to stop talking," Marcus said. "Meet where Trieva said. We'll get there." I could almost hear him think Somehow.
"Okay. We're outta here."
I looked around and saw the troops leaving the island, and fanning out. They seemed to be checking scanners as they moved, and they ignored everyone but Rakasta, who they grabbed, then turned loose. "They've got your picture," Marcus said tightly.
"You think they have everyone's?" Nick asked.
"Wait a second. I'm not the only feline in the group," I said. "Azaria, are they looking for you? It makes sense after you got 'burned'."
"They might be, but they have yours, too. There were plenty of posters available." That made sense. We didn't reply, but carefully made our way to the more crowded areas. Damn, they seemed to be everywhere.
"Guys, you need to start a fight over nothing while I do a quick fade. They're more likely to be looking for me. I can get out of the area easier on my own."
"No way," Marcus said. "You against all them?"
"I've been in worse spots. Ask Nick about Kirilenko's team when you're clear. Now start the fun." I backed through the undergrowth right behind us, then turned and half-trotted through the foliage, keeping low and silent.
"I told you that's not the reason!" Marcus shouted.
"I don't care! You lied to me! What the hell else is a lie?" Nick rejoined. It almost sounded like a lover's quarrel. Hmm, with 'Frisco, the odds are fairly high any argument that loud is. Way to go, guys. I kept moving, angling toward the Bay side entrance, which was usually busier. That's where I made my first mistake.
One of the green-black garbed troops was in my path, checking under the high shrubs. I tried to avoid him, but he spotted me, raised his weapon and barked, "Stop, slave!" That caused my second mistake: I got pissed, drew both Glocks and opened up on him.
His body armor must not have been made for bullets, because blood splattered and he went down, but he was able to fire once. Oh, man. I thought I knew what pain was. Now I did. I couldn't keep from screaming, so I put my arm over my mouth and screamed into my elbow. "Trieva?" Marcus sounded worried. "Trieva?"
I had enough sense – I think – to grab his weapon and its clips, plus a few other interesting looking things, and stumbled onward, wondering what the other noise was. Shouts, vehicles and occasional gunfire reached me from the end of the Park. Oh, yeah, NorthAm troops. I looked over the laser pistol, then slipped it into my pack, along with the rest of the stuff I'd grabbed. I took my paw off the wound. It was more of a burn, but it bled like hell. I stopped and used my other blouse to pad it. I found my way north and managed to exit the park near Fulton Street. I caught a bus and sat down gratefully. Once I had distance, I murmured, "I'm on the west-bound Transit bus that just left the Park area. I'll get out near Market Street. Nick, I hope you and Marcus are in the car. I'm hit, not sure how bad."
I thought I heard a reply, but concentrated on staying conscious. Once I reached Market, I got out and walked to one of my favorite restaurants, where I sat at an outdoor table. I waved the waiter away and waited, trying to stay awake.
God, I'm so tired. They had to get here soon. I gave simple enough directions. Ow, my side hurts. It's only a matter of time. Nick doesn't know the city that well. It's just traffic. Where the hell were they?
Am I gonna die?
((()))
There, have a nice cliff-hanger. Resolved next chapter. As always, reviews are gold.
Acknowledgements: Tony DiNozzo played by Michael Weatherly in NCIS. The poker face line was borrowed from Iron Man.
A/N: Damn you, Digo is what we end up saying to our usual GM when he springs surprises on us, and they're always good ones.
Translations: Gaijin – Foreigner, connotation used is outsider; Ara mai Tentei – Oh my God