[mercy]

Cool, I will not go past that. Thanks.

[mercy]

Cool. How far do we go? Just up to the 19th or what?

[mercy]

Are we still waiting for others to post before making any additional posts to the IC for this thread?

[mercy]

There is a lot of public information on one Lady Tanya Astasia Marisart, if anyone wants to look her up. For those that do, you will find the following:

She comes by the title legitimately as she is the daughter of a British Viscount that got himself killed, along with her mother and two brothers, in a traffic accident that cost Tanya an arm and put her in hospital for some months of surgeries and subsequent healing. The laws of inheritance dictated that everything in the estate go to the nearest living male heir, so Tanya was pretty much disinherited from a significant fortune and lands, to include her home. Her mother had had quite a bit of money that she had wisely not dropped into the estate and so Tanya was the recipient of a trust fund managed by her distant cousin, the new Viscount. She was linked somehow to a scandal of some sort that involved a party where a man died while drugged to the gills and having sex with the underage daughter of a member of parliament. Tanya had not been present at the house but her name was floated about and her cousin was Not Pleased.

He exiled her to Seattle, where she currently is listed as residing at the Gates Undersound Hotel. She has fit into the socialite role quite well and is a staple at most of the major parties and celebrations held by the social elite of the city. She sits on the boards of and donates large sums of money to various charities, to include the Seattle Museum, Seattle Zoo, and the Seattle Opera House. One paragraph lists several orphanages, street clinics, and school lunch programs that claim on tax records to be partially or mostly funded by her and she has endowed a scholarship program for deserving students so that they can attend universities. One of her pet projects is a work program designed to provide training and technical education to low income areas of the city. Apparently apolitical, she has been in several well-publicized public arguments with the governor and mayor over their spending priorities, often at odds with the very social elite she is part of. The files will have lots of pictures of her at one various site or another. Some are obviously publicity stills, but others seem to be candid shots of her walking and talking with the people of Redmond and other blighted areas. One article was written by a man who had been sent out to get the dirt on her and had followed her as she worked for a couple of weeks at time in several of the clinics and orphanages she funds. The reporter had ended up one of her biggest fans and has described her as “A tireless worker for the betterment and self-improvement of the less fortunate. Lady Marisart believes that simply throwing money at a problem does not fix it and that some changes need to be made at the fundamental level. And who can argue with that feeling, having witnessed public donations of money drop into a sinkhole of political graft and mismanagement. At least Miss Marisart takes an active role in making sure that her money gets to where it can do the most good. I would lift a toast to Lady Marisart and wish there were more like in the elite stratosphere of Seattle society.”

Besides the good stuff, she is also linked to some scandals involving married men and/or women and is rumored to be pretty much ambivalent about which sex she takes to her bed or how many partners she has had in the several years she has been in Seattle. She has been photographed at various trending night spots, such as Dante’s Inferno and other clubs, with a number of partners, but no actual pictures involving any of the various sex acts attributed to her have ever surfaced. She is not one to kiss and tell and has a formal policy of answering “No Comment” to any requests for that sort of information. In essence, rumor and scandal swirl around her without anything really sticking, but even her biggest detractors on the gossip trids are quick to point out that she does a great deal for the underprivileged neighborhoods of the greater sprawl.

[mercy]

Tuesday, 26 November, 11:43; On the Streets, Downtown, Seattle Metroplex

>>Sounds like we have several plans cooking. Please let me know what you decide to do. Have to say I am still in favor of just walking in and killing him at the meeting, but I can support any other plan that you decide on. I do have responsibilities, though, and unless something changes, I will need to be present at the 2100 meeting at the Ivory Palace. Even if Ving Sung is taken, he will have a subordinate who may already have assumed control and Rick Wu will have a rep there. I do understand that we have different agendas and getting Ving Sung into your hands may be the answer to your goals. In my opinion, it was Ving Sung that put the hit on Al and Jan and he probably has information about who was negotiating for Glo’s program. My needs go beyond that, however. Let me know what I can do to help.<<

[mercy]

Tuesday, 26 November, 11:40; On the Streets, Downtown, Seattle Metroplex

>>I have just found out that Ving Sung keeps a mistress by the name of Kai Lin in the penthouse of the Choi Tower, which is located about five miles outside of Chinatown. Perhaps you could use her to lure him away. I would certainly expect that he will have her guarded. I am pretty tied up here at the moment so will not be able to join you in this, but I have alerted a friend and she has sent some drone eyes to the building in case you need any visual scanning support. For now, I told her to keep them back so they will just be watching the exterior of the building unless you need anything more. Let me know if you want her to give more support and I will contact her. I hope that this helps.<<

[mercy]

Tuesday, 26 November, 11:36; On the Streets, Downtown, Seattle Metroplex

>>I am not sure how to get the man to leave his club today. The meeting is in about nine hours and I would think that he will be preparing for it. I am willing to look at alternative plans, though, so please let me know if there is something you would like me to find out or do and I will see if it is in my capability.<<

[mercy]

Tuesday, 26 November, 2075; 1230; Bright Path Casino, Chinatown, Seattle Metroplex

Tanya stops in an alley on the way back and changes back into Song Ai before continuing on to Chinatown. She parks the bike in the parking lot in the front where it will be picked up by Monique in an hour or so and walks through the ornamental arch, where she is met by Chien Lo and two of his men. Chien Lo is masking some concern, but his men are having a hard time hiding it. Song Ai motions for them to walk with her and heads off to the casino at a leisurely pace. “What is wrong, Chien Lo? Are the arrangements made to take Fu Shing to the hospital?”

Chien Lo nods, but he is not smiling. “Your will is being done but Fu Shing himself is fighting it. And there have been developments.”

Ai looks over at her henchman. “Developments?”

“Yes, Song Ai. With the announcement from Rick Wu there have already been changes.”

Ai keeps her tone neutral. “What changes? I thought that the announcement was that Ving Sung was to take over on Saturday?”

Chien Lo nods. “That is correct, Song Ai, but some of the staff are already acting like the ownership has changed.”

“How many people have we lost.”

“So far, the losses amount to about fourteen casino and hotel staff…………and three of Fu Shing’s personal guards.”

Al is thoughtful for a moment then nods her head. “Very well. I want no retaliation against these people. We will hire back the casino and hotel staff, but will have to find other positions for the guards if they come back. I do not want anyone that close to Fu Shing that is not ready to stand by him when things get tough. Make sure that the rest hear my words, Chien Lo.”

For the first time, Chien Lo looks a bit relieved as he nods. “It will be as you say. What is your plan, Song Ai? Apparently you are not taking this lying down.”

Ai laughs. “Far from it, Chien Lo. Far from it. I am moving Fu Shing to safety and I expect you to keep him safe. The administrators at the hospital are already aware that he is returning and that he will be guarded. You will be in a special part of the hospital where others will not be at risk in case someone tries to finish the job they started last night. I will go to the meeting with Ving Sung tonight to represent Fu Shing.”

Chien Lo shakes his head. “They will kill you, Song Ai. You must know that. At least let me accompany you. Han Sin can supervise the security arrangements for Fu Shing.”

“Thank you very much, Chien Lo. I will consider your offer.”

The four make their way through the crowd of tourists on the street as they head to the casino. They pass several groups of three or four men from rival factions within the 88s, each turning to look at them and giving Song Ai and her men long stares, as if they already know their fate. Certainly, if the transfer of power goes through, the lives of Fu Shing and anyone still loyal to him will be pretty much worthless and these groups of men have every right to believe that they are looking at people already dead, just not in the grave yet.

The air at the front entrance of the casino is certainly somber. Song Ai notes that the staff at the door is down to one man, who perfunctorily opens the door for them. She stops and looks at Chien Lo. “Are there not supposed to be three men at this door?”

Surprised at the question, Chien Lo nods. “Yes, but two of them have quit due to the………….situation, and since we are closed anyway it was thought that we did not need to replace them.”

Song Ai turns to look at the people in the street, many of them standing and gawking. She steps up to the doorman and reaches up to straighten his tie. “We must give a professional appearance if we are representing this casino, and make no mistake; you are more a representative than myself or even Fu Shing because you are the first person the patrons see when they come to the casino. Presenting a professional appearance and attitude in the face of disappointment and adversity is important. I expect that you will do your job and do it the very best that you can. So, instead of leaning against the building and straightening up whenever someone you think is important approaches, I think we would all be better served if you stood out at the curb in your best uniform and attitude and explain to people that we are only temporarily closed and will reopen tomorrow.”

The man’s eyes widen and he looks over to Chien Lo, who nods and responds to the unasked questions. “If Song Ai says it will happen, then it will happen. And do not disrespect her by looking to me for your answers.”

The doorman licks his lips, obviously a bit nervous now. Ai looks at him for a bit then nods. “You will not make that mistake again, will you?” At the man’s vigorous shake of his head, she smiles. “No, I don’t suppose you will. Now, go inside and dust off the uniform jacket where you have been leaning against the wall and then return to your post and show the people the respect they deserve by giving them the service they deserve.”

The man gulps and nods, following Song Ai as she and her men pass through the door he opens. After the doorman retreats to the restroom to clean up, Chien Lo speaks quietly to Ai. “Song Ai, is this wise to challenge the desires of Rick Wu?”

Ai stops and turns to the man. “It is the wisest thing we can do, even if it is certain to anger Ving Sung and Rick Wu.. I am going upstairs to talk to Fu Shing and make sure that he understands why he needs to go to the hospital. I expect to take no more than thirty minutes. When I come back down, I would like to have a talk with the casino and hotel managers and the head of security as well as the man in charge of our soldiers. Fu Shing will be taking a greater interest in his property and I intend to make a case that he should remain in charge here.”

Chien Lo shakes is head. “That will only make them angry and will mean our deaths.”

Ai laughs. “Appearing weak will do the same. If Ving Sung wins, every person that stays with us will likely be killed. You will be killed. Are you ready to take that chance for Fu Shing?”

Chien Lo takes a minute to think about his answer. “I will follow you, Song Ai, and that is the same thing in the end.”

Song Ai thinks to correct the man but considers his answer first and decides to let it stand. She nods to him and his men. “Have everyone ready to go to the hospital and get my meeting set up.” Chien Lo bows as Song Ai walks to the elevator and steps on it to go to the penthouse.

[mercy]

>>I would snort if you could hear me in a text message. Eastern manners and a few Nuyen will get you a cup of soycaf, but it will not likely keep you alive in a den of criminals. Not unless you outrank them. I would ask if you think Ving Sung would recognize you, though. He might if he was directly involved with you but is it possible that he just knows your names and not what you look like? But let’s say that he will know you. What do we do instead? Do you have an alternative plan? I do not immediately discount John’s ideas, and I have been trying to think of how to find the man and have not come up with anything yet. I think your plan is simpler, cleaner, and will put us right at the point we need to be at when we start the killing. I am open to other suggestions, however.

Say, Al, I was listening to the match and am very sorry about your guy Willison. Who would think a gel round could be that deadly? That almost seals their shot this year, but I have seen teams come back from worse.<<

[mercy]

Tanya nods as the comments come in. She takes a couple of corners as she works out an answer. >>I am certainly not saying that I have all of the answers here, but I do feel that taking Ving Sun out is going to have to happen either now or later and we have him where we want him. I know that he lives in the club but I do not know where. It is rumored that his private quarters are buried in the lower levels somewhere so going for him there might be pretty hit and miss. However, we do know where he will be at 2100 tonight. He will be surrounded by his guards and probably feeling completely in charge of the situation. But I am pretty sure that he does not know me well and he certainly does not know you guys. As you said, the fewer moving parts the better and I think that walking into the lion’s den and killing all of them has the fewest moving parts. Do I make any sense at all?<<

[mercy]

Tuesday, 26 November, 11:40; Heading to Chinatown, Seattle Metroplex

Tanya receives Glo’s response and considers the options before sending two messages. >>Ni Ni Xiaolu [Tanya]: I need some information on the Ivory Palace and its security setup. Can you send me anything?<<

>>Team [Tanya]: I can sympathize with the loner aspect, but this will probably go down easier if we work together. Obviously, I cannot force that from you. As to security or access points, unfortunately, I have never been inside the Ivory Palace and have no idea what its security situation is like. I am trying to get something for us, but I am not certain it will be in time. I would certainly expect a large number of soldiers there in addition to the normal security people. He will have twelve special security and up to fifty soldiers at his disposal, but based on who is setting this up, I would also expect a representative from Rick Wu to be there, along with several of his personal security. The 88s like tech, so I would think that there will be plenty of matrix surveillance and all of the special security guys are likely to be ‘wared up with reflex and agility mods at a minimum. I will give you what I get as I get it.<<

Shaking her head, Tanya roars off towards Chinatown. The response from Ni Ni is quick. >>Tanya [Ni Ni]: And what makes you think that the Octagon has any information on the security setup of an 88s base? Cheeky git. Off the top of my head, I can send you the “registered” blueprints, but I would trust them only marginally. The exterior entrances should be correct, but there has been some interior work done over the years, some cosmetic for the tourists and some probably well concealed. All of my information is based on direct observation from people sent into the club as patrons. I will send you what I can of the known security forces and their electronic and matrix support. OK, sending now. Tanya, lover, is there something I should be concerned about? The buzz about the town is that Fu Shing is on the way out and Ving Sung is taking over his casino and much of his turf, with the rest divvied up between the other lieutenants. You are pretty heavily into Fu Shing’s apparatus so are probably in great danger. It sounds like our plan is beginning to come together, so what help do you need from me?<<

Tanya smiles at the concern from her friend and lover. >>Ni Ni [Tanya]: Thank you for the information and the concern. This is all working into our plans for restructuring the Triads in Seattle. What I need the most right now, though, is information. Anything you might have on Ving Sung and his club will be helpful. I expect the next step will be Rick Wu, so any information on his residence will also be very helpful for that phase. After that, it is your turn. Will you be able to bring the Octagon onboard as you had hoped or will we need to take drastic measures there as well?<<

>>Tanya [Ni Ni]: I have things under control in the Octagon. It will be a bit messy, but I am confident I can pull off this end. I will let you know if additional assistance is required. I am digging up what I can of Ving Sung and Rick Wu. We have an extensive file on the 88s boss and I will get it to you, along with anything new I think is important. It is a very dangerous game we are playing, my friend. Sometimes I wonder why I let myself get talked into this scheme of yours in the first place. But don’t worry, I am as fully committed as you are. We live or die together in this one.<<

>>Ni Ni [Tanya]: You signed up because it is the right thing to do. Too many innocent people, including women and children are suffering from this pestilence and we have the ability to put a stop to part of it. Oh yeah, and because we are terrific in bed together. Besides, life would not be any fun without danger to spice it up a bit.<<

She closes off the conversation with her friend and sends another message to the people in the container. >>Team [Tanya]: Alright. One of my sources has come through already. I am forwarding a packet of information on the Ivory Palace. I was warned that the interior blueprints might be dated and that some work has been done. I have not had a chance to do more than glance at the packet, but I did note that the electronic security system seems top notch. I am sure that it can be dealt with if you have the skills and tools. If you want anything specific that is not in the packet, let me know and I will try to get an answer for you. Time is limited, though. Have fun with the information. I still like the idea of walking someone in as a guard for me, but will understand if you guys want to do your own thing.<<

After sending the last message, Tanya smiles to herself and sends another. The message is heavily encrypted and is sent in burst mode, traveling through a number of servers and sites before ending up at its destination. >>Sian [Tanya]: Mistress, all is going well here. The plan is at a critical stage and I am moving on to Phase III unless you object. My projection of the response from Rick Wu and his subordinates is spot on so far and I expect that I can wrap up this phase shortly.<<

The return message is terse. >>Tanya [Sian]: Received and understood. Proceed to Phase III. And please be careful.<<

Tanya shakes her head, thinking, “Careful is my middle name. I have not lived this long in a dangerous world without being careful. Still, it is best to plan carefully and be ready to improvise when you encounter the enemy.” She lets Monique know that she is returning to Chinatown then sends a message to her subordinates at the casino to tell them the same thing.

[mercy]

Tuesday, 26 November, 11:38; Storage unit under Alaska Way viaduct, Downtown, Seattle Metroplex

From outside the container comes the sound of Tanya’s racing bike firing up and pulling away. >>Team [Tanya]: I heard that. The Tombstones? Really? Their record until this year has sucked the big wazzoo. If they had not drafted that Cajun kid……..Claude Jene, right? If they had not drafted him they would be in the basement again, or near it. Good luck on your match. Let’s grab some beers and come up with the ultimate Urban Brawl team. By the way, I love your idea for being my guards. Lots of guts to pull that off, but I think it can work. See if you can get the others to sign up for it and work out some details. Call me and let me know what I can do to make it work.<<

[mercy]

Tuesday, 26 November, 11:38; Storage unit under Alaska Way viaduct, Downtown, Seattle Metroplex

Tanya nods. “I am a super fan of Urban Brawl. What is your favorite team? Mine is Seattle. They are on a roll this year and are playing in the second quarterfinal match tomorrow and I think they have a good chance of crushing Denver. We should have a chin wag some time after this is over and talk sports. I will be listening to the match so we can compare which ref made the worst calls. But for now, I need to leave. I have to put in an appearance and escort Fu Shing to the hospital then dress for the meeting at the Ivory Palace. I hope that you guys can come up with a plan that makes sense. I like the idea of using you as guards, but that seems a bit bare bones right now. Please talk among yourselves and let me know if that is what you want to do and what help you need from me to make it happen. I am a call away and you know how to get me. The meeting is set for 2100 so let me know something by about 1900.”

She turns to look at Jan. “This should give you time to tell the others what you found out that you do not want to share with me. I am sorry if I helped bring about this feeling of distrust.”

Looking at the others again, she adds, “I hope to see you tonight. Let me know if you decide to help me do this, otherwise I will go it solo. Ciao.”

Before she leaves, Tanya changes her face and form to yet another body and face, this time a young man, then smiles and walks out of the container

[mercy]

Tuesday, 26 November, 11:38; Storage unit under Alaska Way viaduct, Downtown, Seattle Metroplex

While waiting to see what the rest of her ad hoc team wants to do, Tanya receives a message from Han Sing. She reads it through then sends a response back. After getting an acknowledgement of her orders, Tanya clears her throat and raises her hand. “I have just been informed that Rick Wu has announced that Ving Sung will be taking over the daily operations of the casino as of Saturday. He has directed that Fu Shing be present at a meeting tonight at the Ivory Palace to discuss the transition. Rick Wu’s message is that this is a temporary situation, something I do not believe. I have sent instructions to my subordinates that Fu Shing is to return to the hospital this afternoon due to medical complications from the assassination attempt and that I, as his representative offer to attend the meeting for him. I will detail most of my people to guard Fu Shing at the hospital, so could use a bit of back up. I think that we can use this as a means to verify Ving Sung’s intent and, through him, Rick Wu’s. I expect that Ving Sung will be more than happy to have me in his grasp and will try to kill me to weaken Fu Shing. Would you like to help me eliminate Ving Sung and his soldiers?”

Tanya turns to Al. “By the way, since we all look alike I would like to show you what I look like as Song Ai, just to reduce the chance that you might mistake me for an enemy and kill me by accident. If you were to kill me, I would much prefer that you do it on purpose.” As she looks at Al, her facial features, eye color, breasts, hair length and color, and voice all change to that of a young Chinese woman. She looks around at the others as well. “This is who I will be tonight at the meeting. Please remember that I am your ally. Now any ideas as to how we get you inside to help me?”

[mercy]

Thanks. I got that to work. Do we want to standardize the color scheme? Red for talking, green for matrix, etc?

[mercy]

Tuesday, 26 November, 11:36; Storage unit under Alaska Way viaduct, Downtown, Seattle Metroplex

Tanya is scrolling through the data she is receiving from her various sources and stops on one entry. “Hmmmm. We may be in luck. Ving Sung has called an emergency meeting of his ranking subordinates tonight at the Ivory Palace, his club in Chinatown. Apparently he is closing the club to the public for the night, which ought to limit any collateral casualties. He seems to be concerned about the lack of security at Fu Shing’s casino and has made an official offer to take over the daily operations there, just until Fu Shing is back on his feet, of course. He is gathering his soldiers together to work out the best way to expand into my boss’ territory. My guess is that Rick Wu has already green-lighted the takeover and that it will not be temporary.”

As she looks around at the others, a ping on her internal ‘link lets her know that Cora Lee has sent her something. She smiles as she reads the message and sends another one back then looks over to where Glo is standing. “And something for you, as well, it seems. One of my people has picked up some information that might interest you. She describes it as a whisper and nothing more right now, but she is following up on it. What she has is a lead that a Yak lieutenant is sniffing about for potential buyers for some acquired papers being shopped by a Dr. Martinez, which jives with what you just told us. My contact is trying to verify the identity of the Yak as well as whether Martinez is involved. I will let you know what she finds out.”

[mercy]

Someone will have to show me how to use the color codes because I am lost.

[mercy]

I did change the date of the posts to allow for Sian to get back to the capital by the 19th, as that seems like an important date.

[mercy]

1015 Friday, March 9 2077 – Slang Ap, Laos

Sian walks among the loaded trucks with Brigitte and Chong, making the final checks of the convoy before it leaves the site for the capital. Satisfied, she nods to the others and Brigitte pulls a whistle from a pocket and blows it loudly. The dig crew assembles in the now vacant campsite, lining up as the woman gives orders in her fluent Lao. Once all are lined up, she turns to Sian and nods. “All yours, Miss Romanov.”

Sian smiles at her and faces the crew, speaking in Lao that, while not fluent, is good enough to be understood. “I want to personally thank each of you for the hard work that you have put into making this expedition a success. As I leave here, I will remember all of you, but especially Wang for his constant bad jokes, Taijin for trying to teach me how to dance, and poor Giap for that rather unfortunate mishap in the latrine.” After the laughter dies down, she continues. “I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to speak to each of you as we worked and look forward to seeing all of you the next time I am down this way. Now, I have a small bonus I want to pass out.”

She holds out a hand to Brigitte and the two go to the left end of the line. The dig chief opens a case she is carrying and hands Sian a credstick with a piece of ribbon attached to it that has a name written on it in Sian’s own hand. She thanks the man in front of her and hands him the stick, spending a few moments in conversation with the worker before moving on to the next man. This is repeated for every man in the crew as she makes her way to the right end of the line. When finished, she turns and walks to where Chong is standing and takes both of his hands in hers. “And you, my friend. This is the fourth expedition you have managed for me here and I could not ask for a better person to work with. Brigitte has done nothing but praise your work ethic and drive to get this done on time and that is high praise indeed. Thank you very much.” She gives the man a hug and hands him a ‘stick as well.

Turning, Sian nods to Brigitte, who gives the command to fall out into the trucks for the ride home. When everyone is in their place, the two dig leaders take their seats in the lead vehicle while Sian makes one final tour of the packed earth that had been her home for the past several weeks. She moves her hands in a series of symbols and says some words in her native tongue then picks up the case at her feet and climbs into the lead vehicle after nodding to her Valoi warriors to take their places. A nod to Chong and the word is passed to get the convoy moving. The government soldiers that Fant had provided as camp guards climb into their two vehicles and take up the lead and trail positions.

1327 Friday, March 9, 2077 Laos

The convoy has been making slow progress on the makeshift road, having had to deal with mud from the rain that had poured down the day before and needing to ford three small rivers, one of which needed the crew to jump out to help get the laden vehicles across with cables and winches. Even so, the morale of the crew remains high and several are beating on the tops of trucks to accompany others who are singing songs. Sian is going over her messages and has just responded to one from her Master when she receives one from Brigitte. >>Miss Romanov, the feed from my lead drone is odd. I am passing it to you and your Valoi.<<

Sian saves and closes the message she was writing to Sanrit and opens a window for the drone feed. She sees three jeeps and a car ahead on the trail, waiting at a ford across a small stream. There are nine Lao government soldiers standing around and Fant is off to the side, talking to another who seems to be an officer of some sort. Sian casts her mind back and thinks that she remembers this to be Colonel Kra, a ranking member of the government’s secret police. A tenth soldier is sitting in one of the jeeps and talking on a radio set. While getting her head around what she is seeing, Sian takes a request for a second window and it pops open as Brigitte sends her the feed from one of her trail drones. The corporal in the military jeep at the rear of the convoy is on his radio while the three soldiers in the rear of the vehicle seem to be readying their weapons.

Sian touches Chong on the thigh and the man looks down, surprised at the contact but alert enough to recognize the hand signal she is giving him. The man’s face goes pale but he nods and begins slowing down just a bit, which is enough to let the front government jeep get a bit more of a lead. Sian sends mental commands to her Valoi and receives confirmation from each. Chong, aware that something is very wrong, lifts the armrest that doubles as a center console and exposes a wicked-looking Predator V. Sian nods at him and sends a message to her dig chief. >>Brigitte, do what you can to get the crew down and safe. This looks like Fant is trying to make a grab for all of the treasure and he has friends to help him.<<

As Brigitte nods, she sends a command to a special compartment built into the cab of the second truck and part of the lid slides open, startling the three crew who are standing there. A medium sized drone lifts up and out, whirring on quiet rotors as it heads for the front of the convoy, deploying its machinegun as it goes. Sian taps Chong again and he slows the vehicle to a crawl then stops it. Immediately after, Brigitte slides out of the rear and begins to call the crew from the trucks for a stretch break, keeping an eye on her drones at the same time. The crew, conditioned to obey her, begin jumping out of the vehicles and lighting up or exchanging jokes. Brigitte begins walking down the line of vehicles and shooing the men into the underbrush. Shoko, one of the Valoi, glides off the rear truck and heads to where the trail jeep has stopped while the other climbs out of the front vehicle with Sian and they walk towards the lead jeep.

The men in the jeep clamber out as Sian approaches, weapons ready and pointed in the direction of the approaching women. One, the sergeant of the detail calls out. “Please return to your vehicles and wait for orders. The convoy now belongs to the Office of State Security. You will be safe if you cooperate. If not…….” He lets the threat drop ominously and allows his eyes to roam up and down Sian’s form and he leers at what he will be doing to the woman later, initially missing that she has not stopped walking forward.

Sian talks as she approaches the man, hoping that her Lao is good enough to get by. “By whose authority do you think to claim this convoy? The materials here belong to the Office of Antiquities. I will lodge a protest.”

The sergeant gets angry when the women do not stop and belatedly opens his mouth to repeat his words when Sian sends a mental command to her two warriors and the woman next to her leaps at the jeep and its occupants, drawing her sword mid-air. The soldiers had given the two Valoi odd looks from day one of the expedition for carrying such outmoded weapons, certain that they were more for show than anything else. Three of the soldiers die before their minds can even begin to understand how wrong they had been and the other two join them in death seconds later. Sian does not spare a look for the men at the jeep but continues on past at a run, heading for the ambush site and the rest of the soldiers. At the rear of the convoy, Shoko responds to the mental command much as her caste sister does. She leaps to the passenger side front of the jeep and her sword slices through the corporal’s neck, sending a gout of blood spraying and causing the other soldiers to cry out in fear and panic. In less time than it takes to tell of it, all five soldiers in the rear jeep are dead or dying and then she makes sure that they are just dead.

Sian’s quickened spells allow her to race forward to where the other soldiers are waiting, arriving as they are still forming up across the trail on the far side of the creek. Several of the men are alert enough to see her coming, but they do not recognize a threat from one woman and so do not do more than call out. By the time the rest are aware of her, Sian has passed through the line, leaving two men bleeding out on the ground, and is headed to where the Lao secret police colonel is standing near Fant. The officer has the presence of mind to be drawing his sidearm, but is far too slow and Sian recognizes the fear in the man’s eyes as her sacred blade penetrates his chest and steals his life away. Fant, has stepped backwards and tripped over his feet, sprawling on the ground. He grabs up the pistol that has fallen from the colonel’s lifeless fingers and fires it directly into the back of the woman in front of him. He has set this ambush up as a means to pad his personal accounts, but the damned woman has been insufferable and needs to be punished. His plan was to share a bit of the treasure with the colonel and his soldiers and toss them the other women as a bonus while he personally used Miss Romanov. He had delighted in planning everything he would do to her before killing her but now all that was in jeopardy. Still, he could salvage the treasure and now there would be fewer to share with. He watches as his shot strikes home then his expression goes from glee to terror as the woman seems to shrug the blow off and turns to him, the look on her face sending chills down his spine and paralyzing him with fear.

Four of the soldiers have gained enough of their wits that they raise their rifles and bring them to bear on Sian, who vaults away towards the vehicle with the radioman. That soldier has not been able to think calmly enough since the attack began to send a message and now he never will as Sian’s blade takes his life from him and removes any need for him to think calmly ever again. The four soldiers wheeling to aim their rifles do not notice the near silent drone come in over the battlefield behind them and they do not even hear the roar of the Bumblebee’s machinegun until it is far too late as it sends messengers of death into their fragile bodies. By the end of the burst, two men are dead and the other two are bleeding from serious wounds and not likely to live without immediate care. The remaining three soldiers drop their rifles and flee into the jungle, screaming. The Valoi has caught up to Sian and makes to go after one of the running men but a command from Sian pulls her up short. Nodding, she moves to stand over a cowering Fant while her mistress moves among the wounded men. Most are already beyond anything that Sian can do for them, but she she places her hands on the one that still has a chance to survive and casts a healing spell. The second Valoi runs up to the site as Sian stands up and she moves to guard the healing man.

Sian stands and walks calmly to where Fant is cringing on the ground and kneels next to him. Putting out a hand to stroke the man’s face she talks softly. “Fant, I am disappointed. I had thought we were friends. I certainly did not expect this. What were you going to do, toss Brigitte and my companions to your soldiers and you take turns with the colonel in using me. ” Fant’s face betrays that she has it pretty much right. “I thought so. Unfortunately for you and the colonel, that is not going to happen. All this exercise has made me hungry and right now you are here and I am here and…..well……I think that you will do.”

Sian opens her mouth to show her elongated canines and lowers them to Fant’s neck. The man finally finds his voice and screams in terror and he is still screaming when her teeth put holes in his neck at the carotid artery and begin transferring his blood and essence to Sian. His screams are loud enough to almost overwhelm the sounds of the machinegun as the drone tracks and kills two of the running men. Fant struggles, but his strength is no match for Sian’s and he weakens greatly as she sucks his blood away. Soon, the screams become mewls as she takes more and more and they finally cease altogether as he loses consciousness in her arms. When she is finished, Sian lays the man down on the ground and uses her sacred blade to cut his head off as she does not want to allow him to rise as a vampire.

Sian stands and taps a message out to Brigitte to call her drone back and walks over to where the soldier is laying in terror on the ground. He has soiled himself while watching what she has done to Fant and he fears the same fate from the women who is standing above him. Although he is completely unable to form cogent words, his fear is palpable as Sian kneels down beside him. The man faints dead away and Sian looks at him mutely before standing up and laughing. She bends over and picks the soldier up, carrying him to one of the vehicles. While there, she hears a noise as if someone is knocking on metal. Looking about, Sian determines that the noise is coming from the trunk of the official car and walks over to it.

“Hello? Who is in the trunk?”

The knocking goes quiet but there is some movement from inside the trunk and then a woman’s voice calls out. “It is Vanu.”

Sian nods to herself. Vanu is the name of Fant’s mistress. She had wondered where the young woman had got to, but had not been sufficiently concerned about her to worry about it. “I am going to open the trunk. If you have a weapon in there, please do not try to use it. If you cooperate, I will not harm you or let you be harmed.”

She waits until she hears the sound of what might have been a crowbar drop to the floor then opens the trunk. Vanu had been beaten before being stuffed in the trunk with the two small chests Fant had taken from the dig site and Sian notes that she will be sporting a black eye for a while. The woman crawls out and gasps and puts a hand to her mouth as she looks about at the carnage. “Wha….what happened here? Are they all dead? I heard shooting and screaming and…..and…….”

Her voice drops off as she catches sight of Fant’s headless corpse. Her eyes roll back into her head and she collapses in a faint. Sian manages to catch her and sets her safely on the ground. Standing, she taps out a message to Brigitte and Chong and before long the truck convoy comes into sight. The men in the back of the trucks hop down to move the vehicles that had been blocking the rood and remain mostly silent as they take in the scene of the butchery. The dead are piled in the vehicles, which are set ablaze after the two chests of coins and gems that Fant had left with are transferred to a truck. The surviving soldier and Vanu are also placed in one of the trucks and the convoy resumes moving back to civilization, or what passes for it in this corner of the world.

[mercy]

Just tell me what day or time I should stop at so I do not go too far.