----- Chapter 13 : Hell and High Water ------
It had taken all her persuasive powers but Sue had managed to convince the Waste Management Department to allow her to traipse about the sewer system. When she told them she wished to deal with the giant 'rat' that had attacked one of their workers they were interested but liability worries held them back. There was much signing of forms in triplicate before they even let her look at the schematics of the region.
She was grateful that the incident had taken place so close to 'home'. The Guild Hospital's waste joined that of a civilian Hospital as well as a number of biological laboratories. A dedicated processing plant handled the outflow from these various facilities before joining up with the sewage system that serviced the general populace.
Sue stood by the main service hatch that led downwards into the network of tunnels. Despite the obvious urgency of her mission, she was in no great hurry to go in. The tunnels below were dark, cramped and worst of all stank, they were no place for a lady. The thought had occurred to her that she should have perhaps hired an android for this situation but she was curious enough to see it through personally.
She almost jumped out of her skin when she heard footsteps appear behind her. The processing plant was automated for the most part and now that it was late evening she had been assured that the night-shift workers would stay well out of her way. Turning around she saw it was Cassie.
The Guild was well stocked for practically any conceivable situation and so Sue had hired out a hazardous environment suit. The bright yellow one-piece suit would attract too much attention to her so she had gotten changed at her destination. She was now contrasted by Cassie's bright white nurse's uniform, hidden beneath a grey short overcoat. At least her thigh-high boots would come in useful, thought Sue.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've come to help you."
Sue couldn't help but frown at that statement. "How exactly?"
"With this..."
Cassie reached into the depths of the coat and pulled out a small handgun.
"This is a Hold Lockgun. It uses a bio-electric field to induce temporary paralysis in the target."
"I know what a Hold Lockgun is. But how did you get one?"
"Easy. A RAnger gave it to me. Evidently he found me charming." Cassie smiled sweetly.
Evidently he did. Sue sighed. Cassie was definitely going to be a liability but she could do with the company.
"Ugh, okay, you can come along but you have to do everything I say, got that?"
"Sure."
Sue spun the wheel on the hatch and pulled it open. Her face scrunched up from the stench. She took a long look into the darkness, the wrist mounted torch barely illuminating more than three metres down.
"Here we go..."
It had taken all her persuasive powers but Sue had managed to convince the Waste Management Department to allow her to traipse about the sewer system. When she told them she wished to deal with the giant 'rat' that had attacked one of their workers they were interested but liability worries held them back. There was much signing of forms in triplicate before they even let her look at the schematics of the region.
She was grateful that the incident had taken place so close to 'home'. The Guild Hospital's waste joined that of a civilian Hospital as well as a number of biological laboratories. A dedicated processing plant handled the outflow from these various facilities before joining up with the sewage system that serviced the general populace.
Sue stood by the main service hatch that led downwards into the network of tunnels. Despite the obvious urgency of her mission, she was in no great hurry to go in. The tunnels below were dark, cramped and worst of all stank, they were no place for a lady. The thought had occurred to her that she should have perhaps hired an android for this situation but she was curious enough to see it through personally.
She almost jumped out of her skin when she heard footsteps appear behind her. The processing plant was automated for the most part and now that it was late evening she had been assured that the night-shift workers would stay well out of her way. Turning around she saw it was Cassie.
The Guild was well stocked for practically any conceivable situation and so Sue had hired out a hazardous environment suit. The bright yellow one-piece suit would attract too much attention to her so she had gotten changed at her destination. She was now contrasted by Cassie's bright white nurse's uniform, hidden beneath a grey short overcoat. At least her thigh-high boots would come in useful, thought Sue.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've come to help you."
Sue couldn't help but frown at that statement. "How exactly?"
"With this..."
Cassie reached into the depths of the coat and pulled out a small handgun.
"This is a Hold Lockgun. It uses a bio-electric field to induce temporary paralysis in the target."
"I know what a Hold Lockgun is. But how did you get one?"
"Easy. A RAnger gave it to me. Evidently he found me charming." Cassie smiled sweetly.
Evidently he did. Sue sighed. Cassie was definitely going to be a liability but she could do with the company.
"Ugh, okay, you can come along but you have to do everything I say, got that?"
"Sure."
Sue spun the wheel on the hatch and pulled it open. Her face scrunched up from the stench. She took a long look into the darkness, the wrist mounted torch barely illuminating more than three metres down.
"Here we go..."