NationStates Jolt Archive

Blood. My life is steeped with it. Even now it drips in my eyes… pools in my mouth… runs in thin rivulets to the concrete below. This metallic taste brings the current situation into sharp relief. The coppery scent wakes my senses, honing and consuming them all at once. My blood, but also the blood of another..

The street was dark, paved with refuse and rainwater. The rain was a light drizzle, but enough to drive women under an umbrella or the protective arm of an escort. In the shadows of a darkened doorway stood three men, keeping to the blackness as men do when they have something to hide. All wore long trench coats, collars turned up against the gentle rain. A photo passed between them accompanied by the flare of a match and a lit cigarette.

“This is your mark. Anna Maslow.”

The tall man took the photo in a pale hand, examining it carefully. And without a word, he tucked it into a pocket and stepped out into the street. Anna Maslow…the leak. She was part of the organization that created him. A long-term coma patient with no family and no chance of survival, he was abducted and sent to a secret facility north of the capital for testing. But all had not gone according to plan, and he had turned out to be something dark and dangerous. She wanted out. She threatened to go to the press. For his own existence and the existence of the organization, she must be eliminated.


OOC: This is an open rp, and I have planned it to be pretty free-form. There are plenty of opportunities for many different characters, so if you are interested feel free to jump in, or TG me with questions.

01:36 am.
He pulled out the photo, double-checking as a woman came into view. Anna left the small coffee house on the corner of Central and Vine, laughing on the arm of her date and so lovely with her blonde hair matted by the rain. He supposed they had gone out after a movie, and were now heading home. A pity they would never get there. Sliding out of the shadows, he plunged both hands into his pockets and followed casually after the two. Three blocks down, they turned the corner into a narrow alleyway. Spotting his chance, the tall man followed after them, keeping his distance. Anna was staggering slightly, perhaps from weariness at this late hour. Perhaps from the elation of pleasant company. They never looked back. Ahead, she detached herself from the man’s arm and instead led him by the hand. They turned another corner and crossed the empty street, her leading him up the stairs to the front of a small building. Inner-city housing. She turned, unlocked the door. He kissed her, and laughing, she pulled him inside. The tall man followed cautiously, letting himself in by way of the unlocked front door a few minutes later.

He could hear voices from one of the back rooms. Footsteps. The tall man ducked into the darkened kitchen to avoid being seen. Anna’s date emerged from that back room in a pair of boxer shorts, silhouetted by the soft glow of a lamp. He crossed to the front door, presumably to lock it. The tall man seized his opportunity, striking lightening fast to seize the date and pull him into the kitchen. With a hand under the jaw, he snapped the neck for a merciful and silent killing. Anna would not be so fortunate.

“Michael? Hurry up, baby, I'm waiting.”

His boots thudded quietly against the wood flooring, yet strangely none of it creaked with age or pressure. Long thin fingers grasped the doorknob, gently easing it open.

“Michael?”

As he stepped into the light, her face went utterly blank with recognition, then slowly fell to horror. Before she could scream he leapt on her, straddling the half-naked form with one hand clamped firmly over her mouth.

“Who have you told, Anna?” His voice was calm, soft.
“No one, I swear it! I swear!” Her voice was terribly muffled by his hand and distorted by tears and terror.

His free hand ripped away the bed sheets, exposing her. She thrashed beneath him, hoping to avoid the inevitable. But in the end, he opened his mouth and closed those fangs over her neck, tearing though her soft throat. She died quickly, drowned in her own blood before the pain and shock drove her to insanity. Those fangs she had graced him with.. the justice felt right.

He stood and examined one blood-covered hand. Tasted it. For a moment, he knew what freedom was. To be unrestrained by a cell, by monitoring equipment, doctors, scientists. To kill. Stone-faced, he turned and took his leave of the house without bothering to shut the door behind him. The two men from earlier were there to meet him in the alley.

“Is it done?”
“Of course it is done.”
“Good job, Nico.” The tip of the cigarette waved in the darkness, tracing small patterns of light. “Come with us…it’s time to go home.”

Home…no. Having been allowed this taste of freedom, he rather liked it. The two men stepped off, turning abruptly as he stood in place.

“Come along, Nico.”
“No.”

One man moved forward and grabbed his arm. He responded accordingly, grabbing the wrist and twisting it painfully before delivering a strong palm to the bridge of the man’s nose. Grabbing him by the shoulders, Nico drove the man’s head into the nearest brick wall until the man fell unconscious.

The man with the cigarette had picked up a cell phone. "We have a problem. Contingency A-"

The call was cut short as Nico kicked at the man’s throat, who dropped both the cigarette and the phone as he doubled over. Nico grabbed the phone, clicked the “off” button and dropped it again. Fighting sharpened his senses. He could smell the pain. The fear. Lunging at the man, he slammed two fists into his back. The man fell, but took Nico with him, grabbing at the collar of his coat. The man rolled to the side, hitting Nico across the face with a thick broken bottle which had been sitting close at hand. Nico fell back, unconscious. The man pushed himself up to his knees, breathing heavily with a glance to his partner who was not breathing at all. He knew it had been a bad idea to unleash this monster without any safeguards, but as usual, no one listened to him. On his hands and knees, he crawled forward to examine Nico. The cuts on his face were shallow and nothing seemed too serious. With a sigh of relief, he reached across the sleeping man for the cellphone. Nico, with a grin the very picture of sadism, opened his eyes and grabbed him by the shoulders. He tore into the man’s throat without constraint, heedless of his cries or his struggle to escape. Nico was focused on the kill, and was soon rewarded.

My blood. The blood of another. The killing excites me, sharpens me somehow. How have I never felt this before? I rid myself of this body and stand, but I keep his cell phone. Perhaps it will become useful later. Who am I? I am not a man. I am something more. But neither am I a vampire, a creature of legend. Something less. I am Nicolai Kruschev. And I am free…

Nicola followed his path to the entrance of the alleyway, where he had first seen Anna and the other turn. Soundlessly, he made his way up the street without bothering to clean the blood from his face. It was easy enough to hide in the black clothing, and without doubt the rain would aid him. It was just a matter of time.

Past the coffee shop, he passed a small appliance store. TV’s in the window were broadcasting the evening news. He stopped, fascinated by the moving pictures, tracing the glowing shapes with a pale hand. Never had he seen color on the screen before. The security monitors at the organization were his only experience with television, and they were always black and white. They were certainly nothing like this.

“For those of you just joining us, we have breaking news. Authorities have advised that a patient has escaped from the State Psychiatric ward at around 10:00 this evening. He is to be treated as very dangerous. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of this person are asked to contact them via the main emergency line. Once again, this is a male presumed to be in his late 20’s, last seen in the northwest sector of Leslock. He is 6’5 with short black hair and a strong build. Answers to Ni-“

The feminine voice faded as he walked away. They were talking about him. He hadn’t stopped that call from going though soon enough. Glancing around quickly, he ducked into another empty alleyway. It was time to stay out of sight for a while.

The first rusted door he came to was unlocked. With the briefest protest of old hinges, he let himself in and shut the door firmly behind. The room seemed to have been abandoned, and lay cluttered with various objects and a layer of dust. There were old machine parts, boxes, tools, clothing… but no people. Satisfied, he climbed a metal staircase in one corner, his boots giving the steel steps a hollow sound. Upstairs was in no better of a state. The windows were broken out in places, and completely covered with grime. There were more rusted machines here, and some sort of conveyor belt in the corner, which had long been in disuse.

The rain had taken care of most of the blood by now, but he grabbed a scrap of cloth from the ground nonetheless, and cleaned up as best he could. Steel gray eyes scanned the dark room a final time, but he could see nothing to cause concern. Rain tapped against the walls and roof in staccato. The building groaned with age, making individual sounds hard to distinguish, and the various objects lent themselves to plenty of hiding places. But he half smiled, taking comfort from the fact that anything of a disadvantage to him was also a disadvantage to a potential enemy. He sat beside the window, leaning against the wall to rest. He would need every bit of it.

"It's a freakin' tragedy..." grumbled a man at a bar, watching the TV that was on. A man walked into the bar, out the rain, and slid into the stool next to him. "You're late."

"The rain. People drive like idiots when it gets wet." Grumbled the newcomer and asking for a club soda.

"Yeah, yeah. You've seen the news, right?"

"I heard it on the radio. The thing in the apartment? The woman got her neck bitten open by some psycho, right?" Replied the arrival, nodding thanks to the barman as his drink was sat in front of him.

"That's what they've been saying."

"You don't believe them?" Asked the man, looking at him for the first time.

"Let's get a booth."

The two got up from the barside and headed over to a vacant booth. They sat and faced each other.

"This whole thing stinks to high heaven, but that's not what I called you for. I've got a job for you, but it's completely unrelated to this whole psycho-killing. Some easy money. You interested, Grammian?"

Grammian sipped his soda and looked at his supplier. "You know I'm trying to get out of the life, right?"

The supplier laughed and waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. No-one gets killed unless they deserve it, I know. Only the pimps of child prostitutes and crap. Don't worry; this yin's a gem."

He produced a folder from his coat pocket and flopped it on the table. "This woman's been a bad girl, all right. We're talking drugs, blackmail, bribery, all that jazz. She's stepped on so many toes in her time it's a freakin' miracle we haven't been offered the contract until now."

Early morning, sometime before dawn.

A light flickered somewhere, gently stirring Nico from sleep. He could hear cars outside, voices. The rain must have stopped sometime in the past few hours, because he could hear none of it now. Headlights danced before one of the windows, interrupted as people walked in front of the lamps. Abruptly, the light went dim, accompanied by the sudden cessation of an engine's low hum.

The old hinges sqealed a protest as the door swung open, echoing with a flat-sounding resonance against tin walls. Nico grabbed the windowsill beside him and slowly hoisted himself off the ground. He took great care to be silent, creeping along until he reached the edge of the stairwell. Voices floated up to him from below, as well as laughter. Their language was foreign, like something he almost remembered from somewhere, but the memory remained just out of reach. Someone clicked on a light, illuminating stark bulbs along the ceiling of the first floor.

The floor beneath him was slated, allowing the light up in narrow slits, but the majority of the second floor remained shrouded in darkness. Downstairs, someone laughed. He could hear the creak of wood as someone pried the lid off one of the many large boxes. Another voice now, followed by the distinctive click of a firearm. Nicolai inched forward, peering over the stairwell railing. Three men were gathered around one of the large boxes, speaking quietly over the contents. Two men stood at the door armed with semi-automatics of some sort, and another stood at the far window, watching the alley and street. The box was filled with dozens of weapons and boxes of ammunition.

One man at the door looked towards the top of the stairs boredly, and Nico had to pull back to stay out of sight. However the motion sent his shoulder into the side of an unsealed box, softly jostling the contents. All conversation below instantly ceased at the hushed yet unnatural sound. Nico turned quickly and stood, peering inside the partially ajar lid while the men below remained in place, listening. What he saw evoked something as close to fear he had experienced in some time, but more than that, it was a profound confusion.

The box bore a logo of some sort, a stylized 'A' neatly printed on the lid and one side. He pushed up the sleeve of his coat hastily. It was the same 'A' that had been tattooed into his forearm. Barely breathing, he peered inside. It was full of smaller containers, but ones that looked to be made of metal. And each bore the cold indifferent symbol for radiation. Glancing around quickly, he realized that all the boxes here bore that strange logo, and that this was not some rundown old building, but a warehouse for something dangerous and secret.

Sound from downstairs stole his attention as one of the doormen cocked his weapon and headed for the stairs. His shoes tapped against the metal ominously. Nico backed up to the far wall, moving with the soundless grace of a cat. He found a door, a fire exit. Perfect. And beside the door another open box, however this one held no threatening metal containers. Voices downstairs again, and a second man started up the stairs. Quickly, he reached inside and grabbed the first two pistols he came across and as much ammo as he could carry. Stuffing it all in the inside pockets of his long coat, he delivered a swift kick to the door and burst out into the hazy light of dawn. Behind him, the two men topped the stairs as he made a flying leap over the side of the safety railing. They yelled and ran to the open door with weapons drawn, but once they stepped onto the escape and looked down, they saw nothing but a deserted alley. One man yelled over his shoulder for the men downstairs to find him. Now.

Grammian's shoulders screamed in protest as he hung from the windowsill. The part at the back of his mind, the sane part, repeated the same old message; You're far too old for this!

Realistically speaking, yes. At 52, maybe now was a good time to leave the contract killing business. It was a young man's game, anyway. But his age gave him the pleasant side effect of experience; knowing every technical detail about a knife, where it did most damage and so on was all good and well. But every textbook on knife skills flew out the window when you really need to know what you are doing. That's when years of experience kick in.

He heaved himself up slightly, allowing him a view into the office he was dangling outside of. She was in there, at her desk. The man that she'd been speaking to had left, thankfully. Now he needed to decide what he was doing.

He could knock on the window, get her to open it... then a quick grab and down she'd go to her concrete mattress. He rejected that one immediately, deciding that she'd possibly shout for help. And that was not good.

His other option was to physically enter the office and get her. That was the only realistic choice.

Realistic?! Which part of this situation implies "realistic"?! You're an old man. Your lucky you're still hanging onto this windowsill...

It was too late for doubts. He hauled himself onto the windowsill itself, thanking the architect for making the building in an older style. If it was newer, there wouldn't be enough room for him to stand.

The rain lashed against his jacket as he produced the piano wire from the inside pocket. He crouched down and gripped the window edge, the cold creeping through his leather gloves and running up his arm. He paused, waiting for the next clap of thunder to mask the sound the window would doubtless make as it slid open.

It didn't take long before the storm let loose another loud bolt from the sky. He pulled open the panel and dropped into the office. He was careful to close the window, thanking his lucky stars that the rumbling the pane made was similar to the thunder's trailing growl.

It was only a few feet between the window and the mark, where she sat at her desk, filling out forms. A few careful steps brought him right behind her.

He was quick and precise with the wire, bringing it around her neck and pulling it tight. She flailed wildly, knocking her work off the table. They always fought back. She gasped, desperately fighting for air. She kicked out behind her, catching him squarely between the legs.

It was his turn to gasp for air, giving her a brief moment of weakness to exploit. She wriggled out the wire and ran to her desk. He regained his composure and grabbed her shoulder, turning her to face him and pinning her against the wood. He brought the wire down around her neck once again, and forced it brutally into her throat. She gagged and flailed with her arms, searching the desk for something to defend herself with. She gripped her little sharp letter opener and lashed out with it.

He didn't expect her to fight back as strongly as she did, and barely managed to move his head out the way. Not fast enough as it turned out. The blade caught his nose and dug deep. As he moved his head to get it away, the blade slipped and tore through his left eye. He resisted the impulse to scream as the agony ripped through him. He turned it into raw hate, pressing the wire harder into her neck.

Her eyes dimmed. The bloody letter opener fell from her hand.

Grammian shoved the wire back into his pocket and pressed a hand against what was left of his eye. He opened the window and made his escape, heading straight for the local clinic.

Andreus walked through the streets, cloaked so noone could see his face under his robes. If anyone listened hard enough thy might wonder why when he walked there could be heard a slight ring of metal on stone, but people avoided him as he walked along the pathway, sometimes even walking in the gutter to avoid him. Although he was cloaked he was still tall and broad accross the shoulders, in some ways unnaturally so. But he was still dismayed people avoided him. He would cheerfully greet them good day were it not for peoples fear of his unmasked apparell. It was his penance he decided. For leading so many to thier needless deaths all those years ago. He moved his hand up to look at it and studied the metallic sheen of the cybernetic appendage. Yes this was his penance too.
As he was walking he passed an alleyway, his senses picked up a sound of a scuffle from within, although he had marginally better hearing than the average listener he was sure anyone could hear it and yet people were still passing by.
He frowned and walked down the dark passage to investigate, the scene that met him was of a woman being beaten. They had taken here purse and were attempting to strip her down. They were already taking off her trousers to her sobbing and screams
'What goes on here?' Andreus's voice had a slight tinny ring to it
One of the men looked up at him
'F*ck off buddy, if you know whats good for you' he brandished a knife pointedly
'I know what is good for the young woman. Please leave her be. She has done nothing to you'
'Not yet' The man licked the womans face obcenely. Andreus walked forwards calmly and the man stepped forwards to block his way
'I think our big friend has outstayed his welcome' He stabbed at Andrues with the knife and it was deflected by somthing from under the robe
'Huh?' He then tried punching Andreus in the face and he reeled, clutching his hand in agony
'What are you?!'
'I am your deliverance' Andreus picked the man up calmly and tossed him out onto the street where he fled.
The other man who was staring at what was happening to his partner let go of the woman hurridly
'Look man, we never meant nothin, it was just...'
'Repent'
'What?'
'Repent' Andreus repeated. he picked the man up by the throat, his large silvery fingers wrapping around his jugular
A last spark of defiance flared in the rapists eyes
'Get f*cked'
'May Jehova find you swiftly and without sin' He twisted the mans neck and it broke with a clean snap. Then He laid the body out carefully, almost reverentially on the ground.
'Thank you' The womans make up was smeared with tears, but she pulled on her trousers blushing and went over to Andreus
'They just grabbed he from the street, I didn't do anything to them, they just-'
'Hush, they will not bother you.' Andreus reached up with a hand to tilt her chin up to him. He wiped her tears with a cold finger and handed her her purse
'Go in peace'
'I'd...I'd much rather see who I owe my life too......' The woman reached up to pull the hood back from Andreus's face. he tried to stop her when he realised but he was too late
'Wait....'
The woman recoiled in shock as she saw his half mask covering one side of his face and the two tubed leading down the side of his neck. She screamed and ran off without another word
For this I am bound to repay my debt. Never to look upon the face of another man or woman whilst they do likewise
He sighed and walked out of the alley after crossing the arms of the dead man, as he passed a shop he noticed a new reader on a TV set
'-Escaped from a mental institute, highly dangerous and answers to the name of Ni-'
Niko
'So he is the man I am here to-' he considered this. He was often sent to places by dreams or images found in prayer, but God was not the most exact of leaders.
'-Meet' He tailed off weakly. The images he had been given showed a crime against nature and a monster made from man, yet for all that still a man for the most part.
But where to find such a man?

Grammian kept a hand pressed to the remnants of his eye as he entered the clinic. Blood dribbled through his fingers as he signed a few forms.

"The doctor will see you now." Said the receptionist, giving him a pitying look as he headed through. Probably thought he was a stupid old man who had tried to build something. Whatever works.

The doctor informed him that the eye was irreparable, not to his surprise. He was put under anaesthetic and a quick operation was performed. A few hours later, the ruined eye had been removed. Grammian rejected the offer of a glass one to replace it and opted for a black eyepatch instead. It added a certain je en sais quoi to his persona.

He paid for the treatment and left, as dawn began to break over the city. He took his time walking through the streets, catching a few news bulletins on the way past. The lunatic was still on the loose, seemingly.

It was ten in the morning by the time he reached his office. He took off his heavy coat and changed into his suit, taking the time to see what he looked like in the mirror. The eyepatch seemed to add to the look, somehow. It was odd.

He took a seat behind his desk and pulled out the revolver he kept in the desk drawer. He checked it was loaded, then put it into his shoulder holster.

By night, he may be Grammian the hitman. But by day, he was Mr. Grammian, P.I.

Karasu sat in a booth eavesdropping on the two men behind her, chuckling at the idea of the "reluctant assassin". This was her living and her calling, and she found it odd that she happened to be where she was. She was used to being alone and carrying out her job anonymously. No one knew what it was she did. By day she just whiled away the time, fearing that being close to anyone would compromise her work... she lived and worked at night. It came naturally to her. It excited her. Perhaps the hunt. A human hunter. A challenge. She was stealthy and sly, and never caught. No one ever saw her, dressed all in black, black leather pants, black leather sleeveless top which laced up the front, black cape that could cover all of this when she wanted, and a black cloth that tied around her head into a pony tail covering braids down to her waist, with nylon covering her eyes so she could see. Her face was never seen while working. Even those who she actually paid her for a hit never saw her. She went to them, masked.

She also wore black gloves made just for her with "adjustments". A belt with the most up to date weapons, as well as her favorites, seeming archaic to most... her swords, katanas, and sais, throwing stars, wakizashis and various martial arts. These were her legacy. Her family's tradition. She was trained since she was a child to be an assassin in the tradional Oriental ways. She preferred her blades to what she considered to be the, "ugly, unsportsmanlike" firearms everyone used. She carried those as well, but preferred not to use them if possible. There was no challenge in that, and always used as a last resort. She traveled the world finding high profile targets. And always got her mark.

There had always been rumors of a completely lethal assassin, known as "The Raven", because of this assassin's ability to seemingly fly, but no one really knew. Only Karasu, it was she. Moreover, no one ever saw the huge raven tattooed on her back. Most thought she was a myth, some had seen a black flash before a hit, but never really a person. An enigma.

Karasu had lots of money, and lived lavishly when she wanted, by day. In addition, she showed up here on a whim... just traveling... and look what she walked right into. She smiled to herself while sipping her Shiraz.

Intrigued at this Grammian, and his target, and the connection she felt because of his motives... (Karasu did not like to kill innocents although she had done so...), she listened to all of this and decided to follow.

Karasu immediately stepped out the door and using her gymnastic and other training ability, landed lightly on the rooftop making no sound. She traveled on rooftops at night, and always had a "birds eye view", *chuckles to herself at the stupid joke*, of what was going on below. Karasu covered her face and waited.

Eventually she saw Grammian leave, and followed him from rooftop to rooftop, watching him below. Karasu went completely unnoticed, as she was trained to do.

She finally saw him find his mark and grinned seeing him hanging from the windowsill shaking her head. She watched as he eventually crashed through the window. Watching from the building across the street, she found it hard to believe he was strangling her! Karasu thought that inefficient. She watched Grammian hit his mark, but become injured in the process. *sigh*

She thought of the way she would have done the job herself. Much differently, however, was quite impressed w/this Grammian. He did his job.

After this, Karasu went roof hopping to see what was going on in the city below. She heard something strange from one building away and jumped to it. A strange scene in the alley below had her mesmerized:

'I am your deliverance' Andreus picked the man up calmly and tossed him out onto the street where he fled.
The other man who was staring at what was happening to his partner let go of the woman hurriedly
'Look man, we never meant nothin, it was just...'
'Repent'
'What?'
'Repent' Andreus repeated. he picked the man up by the throat, his large silvery fingers wrapping around his jugular
A last spark of defiance flared in the rapists eyes
'Get f*cked'
'May Jehova find you swiftly and without sin' He twisted the mans neck and it broke with a clean snap. Then He laid the body out carefully, almost reverentially on the ground.
'Thank you' The woman’s make up was smeared with tears, but she pulled on her trousers blushing and went over to Andreus
'They just grabbed he from the street, I didn't do anything to them, they just-'
'Hush, they will not bother you.' Andreus reached up with a hand to tilt her chin up to him. He wiped her tears with a cold finger and handed her her purse
'Go in peace'
'I'd...I'd much rather see who I owe my life to......' The woman reached up to pull the hood back from Andreus's face. he tried to stop her when he realized but he was too late
'Wait....'
The woman recoiled in shock as she saw his half mask covering one side of his face and the two tubed leading down the side of his neck. She screamed and ran off without another word

After the shock wore off, Karasu was more interested in this man than anyone she had ever seen. Is this town full of assassins and killers? This man... he killed because he had to... to make up for something he had done. He was so... righteous? It was an amazing site. This man was a cyborg!

Karasu had no inclination to run... If anything, she was drawn to him. She did not fear his face as that woman did. Perhaps Karasu was more accepting because of her hard life. A life she had to live alone. She had seen so much... too much.

Because of what she did and her methods and to maintain anonymity, she was alone... completely alone, and had to admit it... lonely. How she longed for someone to trust, to care for and to care for her. The sadness began to creep in and a tear welled in her eye, but it only made her angry and she forced it out, eyes blazing under the black. I will NOT be WEAK!

She followed this "cyber man" out of the alley, on the rooftops when he stopped in front of a TV... and heard only "escaped" "highly dangerous" "Nico". I think there may be something for me to do here after all...

OOC: I will be gone for a while but will jump back in as soon as I can! :) Up to two weeks tops… .I'm hoping sooner. Much sooner… Maybe quite soon but on killer pain meds! :D This sounds like a GREAT RP! Way to go!!! :D

"Ah, thank you my dears for turning up. It really would be all too much to have to deal with this little bit of photography all by my lonesome. Simply won't do on a cold day like this." A light, cheerful voice resounded off the four walls of an increadibly messy, but small room. Scattered everywhere were various strange looking camera equipment, and books (lots of books!), on entemology, anthropology, biology and many other ologies...One could well imagine demonology, breathology and Frankentology among them! And the characters that stood within this room looked so prim and 'proper' as to be ologies themselves, if stuckupology is an exact science, of course. Manicured nails and meticulously groomed mustache best summed up the boisterous prof Gobbets, who entertained his two slightly younger fellow researchers with the occasional twirl of his hand, first to the left, and then, unbelievably, to the right. Sometimes in a clockwise fashion...sometimes...well, I suppose the good professor had some limits to eccentricity.
"My dears, I have such a wonderful present for you both! Its small and stubby and shoots."
The expression of his two fellow researchers turned to grimaces and both exchanged slight glances of fear. While one was male and the other female, no observer could tell which was more frightened.
"Behold, this!"
Shouted the professor, brandishing a small, stubby cylinder.
"An artifact from a local excavation area. A find my dears, a find!"
Several flips of the item through the air like a baton later...
"Um...professor" Began the woman, Tammy, " if thats really a weapon, shouldn't you be more careful? It might still be active..."
"Nonsense my dear, nonsense. The find is more than twelve million years old. Nothing we know could possibly be in working condition after such a long time. Believe you and me dear, I know how long it takes to get something like this out of action. Why, watch this!"
The professor aimed the item, pointing the small hole directly into his left eye, pulled back his glasses, and pressed a side button on the item.
Nothing happened.
"You see my dear, nothing happened. This is supposed to be how the creatures, what does that historian, A.J.P. Baylor call them, ah yes, the Da..."
At this point in time, the poor man found the right button.
A brief glare of blinding blue light occured, and the professor's vision ceased. His eyes slowly melted away, and all his internal dissue fried and boiled at temperatures none of the nearby bunsen burners could match.
Tammy shreiked, her piercing cry rebounding again and again accusingly off the four walls, while her fellow researcher, Hayden, simply stared in disbelief.
"Prof...professor...?"
Was all the weak fool could manage.
Seconds turned into minutes, and these minutes turned into half an hour. Only then did the Tammy and Hayden gather their courage enough to examine the corpse. Blank eyes stared out from still smoking eye sockets, the professor's normally cheery grimace given the leer of death.
It was Tammy who took command.
"Hayden, you go tell Liza what's happened, while I phone the police. Hurry now!"
Was it the anguish of the professor's death that had made Tammy so forceful in demanding that HE go look for Liza, or was it a fear that the police would suspect them because they had not reported the 'incident' immediately? Incident? Hayden sighed deeply. Already he was trivialising the professor's death, trying to detach himself from it, trying to survive...with his sanity intact. Or at least, he hoped that was why he had begun to trivialise the professor's death so. Into the lift. Wait. Press the button. Wait. Whistle. Twiddle ones feet. Burst into tears because you've just witnessed a fellow academic, a friend, butcher himself in a stupid accident...
"Third Floor."
Walk out. Hayden considered his every movement with mechanical precision, trying to steel himself inwardly and outwardly. It wasn't just that Liza had always seemed like the life of the party, that she had always hung out with people whom he thought 'was the wrong sort' for someone as nice and bubbily as herself...that he wanted to impress her, by showing how much of a 'man' he was and how he could look death in the face...but it was, well you know, one of the things to do. Well he couldn't do it, and so with fresh tears running down his face and his mouth twisted in a tortured position, he pushed forward through the door.
It was jammed.
Hayden pushed again, harder.
The door was jammed.
With all his might, Hayden pushed a third time, finally knocking away the door obstruction. Triumph shone on his face...until he looked down and saw Liza's corpse. Small marks around her neck and some evidence of a struggle danced incoherently among Hayden's thoughts as his safe world collapsed.
With a primal scream of fear, hayden ran from the room, ignoring the lift and racing down the stairs. He passed the second floor. He passed the first floor.
He stopped at the ground floor, and ran through the open door to the small, cosy room. Tammy! He needed to find Tammy, to hug her, to kiss her, to forget the anguish of tonight, to find some sort of company to help him dream away the night, away from all these nightmares...even if her nose was crooked.

But when he got there, she simply wasn't there. And neither was the artifact, the item, the murder weapon. And then, out of that dense thick fog of thought all humans have, he remembered that Tammy had called it a weapon even before the professor had explained what it was. Now, that seemed suspicious.

It was a good day for Death.

Karasu slipped away, nearly hypnotized by what she had seen in the alley. Amazing she thought. Most people don't believe "The Raven" exists, and how naive for me not to consider that cybernetics has become a reality... an option... possibly lifesaving, maybe a curse. The words this man in the alley had uttered... Karasu realized this man was on a mission. Something far different than Grammian, or most assassins. It wasn't about the money, or the thrill. The man in the alley may have killed, but for some very different reasons than Grammian or I... or maybe not so different? Something was far beyond any immediate comprehension.

Karasu made her way to her small top floor loft and entered through the roof prior to the sun making it's way above the horizon. As she entered her current home, she took off all weaponry, and laid down to sleep a while, hand under her thick pillow, holding her Uzi.

A couple hours later, Karasu arose a bit tired yet. She never slept well. Never. Always on guard for her life, ready for a snap movement or decision, although she was quite sure she was safe.

Maybe taking a walk would be refreshing. Karasu put on a black suit/skirt, looking like any other executive, stylish dark sunglasses, and her braids twisted on top of her head. Over this she wore a trench coat, inside loaded with weapons. Even her business suit was loaded with weapons. And a large black tote bag. Karasu just wanted to fit in anonymously in this place and look like any other woman walking down the street to work or for coffee. Coffee... that sounds good.

Karasu walked down the streets, taking in the sites, the people, remembering the cyborg, Grammian and Nico, when suddenly she heard a scream... and the smell of blood. Karasu could smell blood from quite a distance due to her lifestyle. Burning. *sighs* What now?

Karasu coolly walked toward the scream and the smell to a building not far away. The front door was unlocked. There was a room to the right... the place where the sickening odor was so strong. She walked in and stared at a man who seemed to be in shock. Someone MELTED here! Karasu could only think that this mess, which used to be a man, was killed by strong acid.

Karasu looked at the other man. He was so visibly shaken, it was quite obvious he was not the killer. Instinct told her.

"What happened here." More of a statement to this man than a question. "And I know this isn't the only corpse in the building. Where is the other one. I would prefer you tell me rather than me waste my time going from room to room."

Karasu did not want to tell this man she smelled blood elsewhere and could easily follow the scent to where the other corpse was... that would seem suspicious.

Getting nothing but a blank and frightened stare from this man, Karasu took it upon herself to find the other corpse. Damn it! Well, this guy is so discombobulated, he won't notice if I head straight for the corpse. I'll head upstairs myself. She turned on her heel and left the man there, not saying another word. He didn't seem able to speak, or he didn't want to. Either way, Karasu made her way to the third floor. The smell of blood was so strong it couldn't be missed. She made her way to where she saw the body. Karasu walked over and bent down to examine it.

Markings on the neck? A bit vampiric. *chuckles* Sometimes laughing was an easy way for Karasu to handle all the violence and death surrounding her. Or perhaps, it was really kind of funny. Just another corpse. *snickers again*

Considering this Nico "psycho" they have been talking about on the news and radio, and the tearing of throats, her first thought: Nico... No doubt the police and many others, whomever they may be, are after this Nico character...

Karasu opened the third floor window of the room, not wanting to be there should the police show up, and she was sure they would. She reached into her coat and grabbed a grappling hook and tossed it up, not too far, and got to the roof. Karasu was always safe on the roof. There she opened her bag, stripped herself of the confining clothing and put on her night clothes, readied her usual weapons, and threw the business suit into the bag. Even though it was day, it would be easier for her to escape this building this way. It's impossible to jump buildings in 4" heels! I hate these idiot day clothes!!! *note to self: Night clothes with cape if I go out during the day from now on. Let people think I'm a Goth.*

Karasu easily and quickly jumped to the next building, which was lower than the one she was on, but had to do a serious series of handsprings and aerials to get to the next building which was higher than the previous. All in a days work. When she reached the third building she stood behind the chimney for cover and looked down and saw the police pulling up to the building where the corpses were. I wonder what that man will say about me being there? *ponders* I guess it doesn't really matter.

So this "Nico" is a hunter... hmmm...*smiles to self* Then... the hunter will become the hunted...

That foolish man had lowered his weapon, merely staring into the alleyway below. Nico stood on the edge of the stone gutter, watching him. Dropping to a crouch, he removed his belt. Best not to alert the man's companions.. He slipped one end through the buckle, and quickly slid the loop over the man's head, jerking it tight with a motion that cracked his head against the side of the building. He was knocked out instantly, and a thin trickle of crimson soon slid down his neck. Nico braced himself and swung the man out over the edge of the balcony before letting go. Subtlety was one thing, but taking chances was another.

On the street side of the building, he crouched on the corner and peered down, attempting to locate the man's accomplices. One burst into the alley and looked around, then quickly whipped out a cellphone and spoke a few hushed words. The others jumped in the vehicle.

----

"Tammy, I'm sure you understand the importance of this. Get here quick. I have an assignment for you."

That was the beginning and end of the conversation. Luke Demetrill of all people knew how unsafe the phone lines could be. Especially when they originated or ended up anywhere in his building. This was a matter he would take up in person. A knock at the door brought his attention away from the dark window. One of the younger members stepped in quickly, closing a cellphone.

"Sir, we have another problem.."

Karasu lay down on the roof of the building next to the chimney and looked at the cloudy sky thru her black face covering. She hated daylight. She pondered the melted man. Moreover, the shaken seemingly catatonic man who was standing near the melted man. What kind of acid could have done that and it would have had to been a huge quantity. It could NOT have been acid... at least not anything conventional.

Then there was the corpse of the woman... with the marks on her neck. Karasu was sure the woman was killed by the maniac everyone was talking about... Nico. I wonder what possesses this man to kill the way he does. It's barbaric. Karasu was a little different in her methods of killing due to her upbringing, and for her, style counted... even if impractical, and making the hits more difficult at times. Nevertheless, there was also more of a challenge. She became bored with easy hits years ago, and really had no interest in them anymore.

She sat up and crossed her legs trying to figure out the connection between the dead man downstairs, and the woman, most likely killed by Nico. Could Nico have killed the man downstairs as well? That just doesn't seem like his M.O. He wouldn't bother with anything so messy and useless... Escapee from a psych ward... I don't think so...

Karasu stayed on the roof until dusk. She jumped gracefully, appearing to fly, roof to roof, her cape flowing and flipping with her, to her building. Once there, she went from the roof to her loft. She dropped the bag with the clothing she swore she would never wear again. She didn't like this loft. She rarely went anywhere but the opulent bedroom for a little rest. The rest of the loft was just too big and useless, but it had a nice rooftop entrance, so it was the best choice here.

After dumping the bag, she checked all her weapons, the ammo... how she hated THOSE weapons, admired her katanas and traditional weapons, and chose a wealth of them to take with her tonight. She didn't know where she was going, but it was nighttime, and she was going out.

Karasu decided not to cover her face right away. Instead, she would walk in her usual clothing with her cape/cloak hooked so no one could see what she was wearing. She left her hair in the ponytail with the hundreds of braids that went to her waist. This did attract some attention at times, but not suspicion. Therefore, she hit the dark streets... so foreboding. There were people walking to pubs and restaurants, talking and laughing, but there was a feeling in the air that made her apprehensive. She almost had a sixth sense when it came to danger. Karasu was completely on guard. Every sense was heightened.

As she walked past an alley, she stopped abruptly and in a flash shoved a man in the alley against the alley wall, a dagger at his throat, her eyes regarding him menacingly. The man was about 6' 4" tall, muscular with black shoulder length hair, that always seemed a mess. He was wearing a black trench coat. The man was only slightly startled at Karasu's speed. "I see you have not lost your touch Raven." He smirked at her. Karasu did not respond.

It had been many years ago, and many countries in the past. Time and distance had caused her to forget his very existence. The only soul who knew about her. Everything about her. Why? Why here and now? How could he have found me? Why would he want to. He has been dead to me until this very second. Karasu stood fast and steady w/the blade slightly cutting into his neck releasing a trickle of blood.

The man looked her in the eye again still smirking.

Zane...

Grammian hated the times like these.

He could hear screams outside, yelling, sirens... everything you'd expect in a city such as this, all things considered. But what got to him, what really got on his nerves, was when all this was happening outside and yet he still got no clients! It was absurd! To think, that in a city that had more than its fair share of death, at least one person would want to find something out about it...

He shook his head and felt his new eyepatch carefully. It was still alien to him, and he was still learning to cope without proper depth perception, but he would get used to it.

He got to his feet and moved over to the window, a ghoulish part of him wanting to see who'd gotten killed.

Police cars, screaming people... his office offered a comfortable view of most of the city. He let his eye wander over the rooftops, when a flash of movement caught it. What was it? He couldn't see anything...

There! Dear god, there was someone jumping from roof to roof. He watched her lie down on a rooftop, next to a chimney.

He remembered the cat-burglar that had plagued his building recently. The one who'd stolen his money box that was hidden under the closet. Grammian made a mental note of which rooftop the bastard was on, pulled on his jacket and headed out into the city.

It took him a good many hours to find the right rooftop, the task seeming absurdly more difficult on the ground that from his office. He chided himself mentally for not thinking it through properly. He'd eventually found his destination by taking to the rooftops himself.

When he got there, dusk had most certainly fallen. And, annoyingly, the burglar had gone too. Probably raiding one of the nearby buildings. Grammian grinned, unholstered his revolver and lay in wait. He could wait all night, if need be.

It was probably his imagination, but he was sure he could hear someone speaking in the alley below him.

Karasu removed the dagger from Zane's neck. She knew that if he had tracked her down after all this time, it was because her services were vital.

Ever since I arrived here, I've seen one bizarre incident after another... Now that Zane was here, her intuition that everything she had seen here... the assassins, the bizarre dead bodies, Nico, the cybernetic man... They were all connected somehow.

"Karasu, I suggest we go somewhere we can speak in private." Zane said nothing more.

"Follow me Zane." They walked silently to Karasu's loft and went in the front door... a bit of an oddity for her. They took the glass elevator to the top floor loft. Once inside, Zane began to speak of the matter at hand. After all these years, there was barely a greeting between them. He got right to the point.

"Karasu, more is happening than you know, and you will be needed."

"And what is happening and who is the target?"

"Targets", he responded.

"So explain." Karasu was becoming impatient as well as curious.

"This is all I can tell you for now, but expect to see me soon with more information and your marks." Zane stated with no emotion.

"That's IT?! No other info?!" Karasu was becoming angry. "You expect me to help you later while I sit and wonder what the hell is going on?! I don't think so!" She shouted at him.

Zane put a finger to her lips... "You won't be helping just me. It isn't a personal target. It's much bigger than that... and I know you well enough..." he trailed off.

She looked at him. He was right. She would do it, whatever it was. Marks. Something big. This was beginning to look like the challenges she was always looking for.

I'd like to scream "NO!" at him, just for assuming I would take on this job, whatever it may be, with no questions. But it's true. Zane does know me too well. I can't say no, even not knowing the details.

Karasu looked up at Zane and nodded. He smiled knowingly.

"I'll be in touch", was the last thing he said before exiting the loft.

Excitement coursed through Karasu's veins... something big... something tailor made just for HER, it seemed. Then a heavy sadness enveloped her. She had wished he would have stayed. The only person who truly knows me, and he didn't even stay to talk a bit after so many years. Karasu trusted Zane, and although any relationship between them now was strictly business, if he stayed, for once in many years, she would not have been alone.

Karasu undressed and got in bed staring at the ceiling... She prayed that she would one day have someone who REALLY knew her... someone she could trust...

Hayden's experience today, all in all, had to be the worst day in his entire life...so far. Any belief that this period of his life was now over and he could skip off into blissful happiness...were shattered by the blinding light currently flashing directly into his pupils.
"Again! Why did you leave the corpse lying for over regulation times of reporting?!" cracked the sharp shrill of Detective Jones.
"Uuuuuurrrrggghhhhhppppphhhhhhh!" Replied the extremely quiesy Hayden, trying desperately to cup the residules of his digested dinner in his hands, as if that would wipe away the embarresment of throwing up on the good inspector's shoes.
Disgust displayed itself in a tongue flicker by the illustrious detective. Never did the twitchling of an orange moustache register such dismay over another human being! And over the lovely barren floor of the metallically decorated interrogations room as well!
"Now listen you." He said, presumably to Hayden, though he loved the sound of his own voice, "I'ye realise this is a hard time for yer. No family...""Um, actually sir, I do have a family. I'm a Krenegade. We're one of the largest importers..." piped up poor Hayden.
"No friends..." continued the Inspector.
"Hah, I could buy them!" replied Hayden, renewed smugness and audacity creeping into his voice.
The inspector reached over and smacked Hayden harshly on the ear.
"Arghumum, as I was saying, no family, no friends, and your left in MY company..."
Sweat began to decend from Hayden's brow. Had the room got hotter? Why was his heart beating frantically? What scared him?
"This little device, me boy..." began the detective, holding between his fingers a small piece of glass coated in various strange, shiney mechanisms. "Is special classification six-two, another one of those devices dug up from various dig sites. Like your 'stick', that you refer about. Small and stubby indeed!" snorted the great detective.
"This little device here, special classification six-two, is what we call a 'mind probe'. Oh no easy son, don't worry." the detective reassured with a flick of his nose by his free right hand's forefinger, "so long as this little device isn't used excessively, it can't do any real damage to the brain. Its not like I'll be studying you on point five frequency..."
The detective twirled a semi-circle to the right several times, causing the item to hum more and more heavily. Then the detective placed the back of the device directly over his left eye. An audible click resounded around the metallic interrogations room, a sound of finality, as if a bell rang out once and then died.
"Now then, you just sit back and relax. Go on. All this little device is going to do is tell me what I want to know and you don't even have to open your mouth...Now you see the red light? Look straight into it...Now go on, don't be shy! Look straight into it."
Redundently, Hayden looked straight into the red light. Ah well he thought, if you can't trust the police, who can you trust.
"No-one." answered the detective coldly, and ripped shreads of Hayden's brain away with mere mental thoughts.
Hayden's corpse slumped in the chair.
"No-one."

-----------------
"God damn that Luke..." muttered Tammy as she grabbed artifact #562 (recently classified). Thirty minutes looking horrified at the murder of prof Gobbets, of inaction...she was obviously turning far too native in this sub profession of hers. Botanist, Chemist, Physicist, Mathematician, Nuclear-physicist; she had all been these professional careers at various times. And now, personnel classification #52 of department #32 'doesn't officially exist'.
A fine job to write on a CV to apply for a university lecturer position indeed! Now though, first things first. Make certain that idiot Hayden had gone. Useless, pathetic fool. No doubt he'll go catatonic and blab his heart out to Liza again...or maybe he'll go catatonic when she stubs a cigarette in his face. She's like that with men. I hate how he stares at my nose! God damn fools, not a whit of intelligence among them but just because a persons nose is slightly crooked...calm down Tammy, calm down. Breathe a little, now think. I am in a small room with a corpse that is in the process of transferring from solid to liquid. Apart from the awful stench and the fact that I knew this slowly melting corpse, I have had to pick up this increadibly deadly weapon ( dipping my hand in Gobbets soup) and now have to somehow sneak out of this room without being seen by anyone...
Easier said then done. Tammy gritted her teeth together, and smoothed over a lock of her hair with a goo stained hand. Irritated when she noticed it drip, her eyebrows suddenly bounced upwards.
"Of course." she whispered, in that sort of conspiratorial whisper which everyone on the other side of the world can hear.
Uncovering several safety warnings warning of impeding doon and despair if the seals are broken on a small 'man-hole' on the floor, Tammy brushed these aside and broke the seals.
"Wonderful bit of history, the Gralober building, really. Direct access to the a dried up portion of the sewer system from here, utilised no doubt for your illegal sessions with some of your fellow students, former professor Gobbets. I would wipe you into the sewer itself, but that would mean that fool Hayden might know how I've escaped. Wait, why the bloody hell am I talking to myself again?"
Only ten to fifteen minutes of walking to get to Demetrill...hopefully.
Tammy held the artifact closer to her chest, then remembered its power and held it away. Safety was becoming an issue around this place. And with all the reports of scandels and threats in the city, these dried up sewer areas would probably not prove to be the exception. "Time to BE the rat, Tammy." she whispered, subconsciously feeling her nose at the same time.

-----------------
"And that was all the witness knew before I eliminated him."
Detective Jones stated, eyes staring forward into nothingness.
"All....all....that....that....he..."
Jones mouth faltered, his lips sprouting ripples of indecision, allowing his menacing, protruding incisors to dance in front of his superior.
"All....I....He...."
A tense movement of a shadow flickered, and a quiet, soft, childish voice whispered:
"I see the hypnosis on this one is wearing off. Best to reduce his equipment to the bare minimum and test the strength of at least one observer. Ah, expendable."
The tone of the voice grew harsher and forceful, brandishing fantastic vocal power, imbuing every word with force, with meaning, with slavery...
"Jones! Find the woman who questioned the witness. Eliminate her. Your existence is meant for this moment Jones. Utilise the explosive. Around your waist!"
The voice retuned to its previous, childlike whisper.
"Two birds...one stone."

Nicolai sat back as the car pulled away, tracking the direction of travel with his eyes. While it might have been more prudent to follow the vehicle, it wasn't safe. Quickly he memorized the old black sedan and it's liscense plate. The sun was up, and only 4 of the men from downstairs were accounted for. It was only a matter of time until someone found the body. That left at least 2 with unknown whereabouts. Counting the man with the phone, three remained behind. And by the looks of all those boxes, he was certainly outgunned. The man in the alley looked up sharply, having heard something. His hand slowly moved for the butt of a silenced Beretta tucked into his belt. Nico froze, nearly certain he hadn't made enough noise to alert him. Time to get out of here.

Slowly, quietly, he backed up to the opposite edge of the building. By now, the news would be re-issuing their alert, and would have most certainly picked up on his three killings during the night. If they hadn't already. He heard yelling from the alley to his left. Someone found the dead gunman. A silent shot slammed into the edge of the roof just beside Nico. The third man had seen him. A gunman covered each side of the building now, with the open street to the front as his only other option. And not a very good one at that. Nico ducked down just long enough to remove a pistol and a clip, and loaded the weapon. The alley was narrow. No time to second guess. Nico got a running start and lept from the edge towards the adjacent building, firing a shot at the third man more as a deterrant than anything else. He reached out and caught the fire escape with one hand, quickly tucking away the weapon and getting a second hand on the metal platform. The gunman opened fire again, joined this time by the second man. Kicking his legs, Nico swung out, and used his momentum to crash through a window below the platform.

The cozy family of four shot to their feet, overturning the breakfast table as this stranger crashed into the rundown room they called their kitchen. Nico rolled over his shoulder, and dashed out into the hall without so much as a glance to any of them. There was an open window at the end of the long hallway, which Nico used to jump out into the alley behind. Jumping from the second floor was a harder landing than expected, but momentum carried him to his feet once again as he dashed through the alley. Only one thought crossed his mind now, stay out of sight.

Karasu sat in a booth eavesdropping on the two men behind her, chuckling at the idea of the "reluctant assassin". This was her living and her calling, and she found it odd that she happened to be where she was. She was used to being alone and carrying out her job anonymously. No one knew what it was she did. By day she just whiled away the time, fearing that being close to anyone would compromise her work... she lived and worked at night. It came naturally to her. It excited her. Perhaps the hunt. A human hunter. A challenge. She was stealthy and sly, and never caught. No one ever saw her, dressed all in black, black leather pants, black leather sleeveless top which laced up the front, black cape that could cover all of this when she wanted, and a black cloth that tied around her head into a pony tail covering braids down to her waist, with nylon covering her eyes so she could see. Her face was never seen while working. Even those who she actually paid her for a hit never saw her. She went to them, masked.

She also wore black gloves made just for her with "adjustments". A belt with the most up to date weapons, as well as her favorites, seeming archaic to most... her swords, katanas, and sais, throwing stars, wakizashis and various martial arts. These were her legacy. Her family's tradition. She was trained since she was a child to be an assassin in the tradional Oriental ways. She preferred her blades to what she considered to be the, "ugly, unsportsmanlike" firearms everyone used. She carried those as well, but preferred not to use them if possible. There was no challenge in that, and always used as a last resort. She traveled the world finding high profile targets. And always got her mark.

There had always been rumors of a completely lethal assassin, known as "The Raven", because of this assassin's ability to seemingly fly, but no one really knew. Only Karasu, it was she. Moreover, no one ever saw the huge raven tattooed on her back. Most thought she was a myth, some had seen a black flash before a hit, but never really a person. An enigma.

Karasu had lots of money, and lived lavishly when she wanted, by day. In addition, she showed up here on a whim... just traveling... and look what she walked right into. She smiled to herself while sipping her Shiraz.

Intrigued at this Grammian, and his target, and the connection she felt because of his motives... (Karasu did not like to kill innocents although she had done so...), she listened to all of this and decided to follow.

Karasu immediately stepped out the door and using her gymnastic and other training ability, landed lightly on the rooftop making no sound. She traveled on rooftops at night, and always had a "birds eye view", *chuckles to herself at the stupid joke*, of what was going on below. Karasu covered her face and waited.

Eventually she saw Grammian leave, and followed him from rooftop to rooftop, watching him below. Karasu went completely unnoticed, as she was trained to do.

She finally saw him find his mark and grinned seeing him hanging from the windowsill shaking her head. She watched as he eventually crashed through the window. Watching from the building across the street, she found it hard to believe he was strangling her! Karasu thought that inefficient. She watched Grammian hit his mark, but become injured in the process. *sigh*

She thought of the way she would have done the job herself. Much differently, however, was quite impressed w/this Grammian. He did his job.

After this, Karasu went roof hopping to see what was going on in the city below. She heard something strange from one building away and jumped to it. A strange scene in the alley below had her mesmerized:

'I am your deliverance' Andreus picked the man up calmly and tossed him out onto the street where he fled.
The other man who was staring at what was happening to his partner let go of the woman hurriedly
'Look man, we never meant nothin, it was just...'
'Repent'
'What?'
'Repent' Andreus repeated. he picked the man up by the throat, his large silvery fingers wrapping around his jugular
A last spark of defiance flared in the rapists eyes
'Get f*cked'
'May Jehova find you swiftly and without sin' He twisted the mans neck and it broke with a clean snap. Then He laid the body out carefully, almost reverentially on the ground.
'Thank you' The woman’s make up was smeared with tears, but she pulled on her trousers blushing and went over to Andreus
'They just grabbed he from the street, I didn't do anything to them, they just-'
'Hush, they will not bother you.' Andreus reached up with a hand to tilt her chin up to him. He wiped her tears with a cold finger and handed her her purse
'Go in peace'
'I'd...I'd much rather see who I owe my life to......' The woman reached up to pull the hood back from Andreus's face. he tried to stop her when he realized but he was too late
'Wait....'
The woman recoiled in shock as she saw his half mask covering one side of his face and the two tubed leading down the side of his neck. She screamed and ran off without another word

After the shock wore off, Karasu was more interested in this man than anyone she had ever seen. Is this town full of assassins and killers? This man... he killed because he had to... to make up for something he had done. He was so... righteous? It was an amazing site. This man was a cyborg!

Karasu had no inclination to run... If anything, she was drawn to him. She did not fear his face as that woman did. Perhaps Karasu was more accepting because of her hard life. A life she had to live alone. She had seen so much... too much.

Because of what she did and her methods and to maintain anonymity, she was alone... completely alone, and had to admit it... lonely. How she longed for someone to trust, to care for and to care for her. The sadness began to creep in and a tear welled in her eye, but it only made her angry and she forced it out, eyes blazing under the black. I will NOT be WEAK!

She followed this "cyber man" out of the alley, on the rooftops when he stopped in front of a TV... and heard only "escaped" "highly dangerous" "Nico". I think there may be something for me to do here after all...

OOC: I will be gone for a while but will jump back in as soon as I can! :) Up to two weeks tops… .I'm hoping sooner. Much sooner… Maybe quite soon but on killer pain meds! :D This sounds like a GREAT RP! Way to go!!! :D

Andreus's sensors noted somthing, somthing on the roof slightly darker than the shadows. It had been watching him through his encounter with the two men. His one bionic eye zoomed in on it and saw....
A young woman? There was a tear in one eye, and an expression he had seen too many times. Usually he would have darted behind somthing to hide, not many people looked on him as acceptable in society and saw no problem with cutting him out from it. But her.....she had seen what he was and done nothing. He had no reason to fear her, if anything he was intrigued by this person.
The very picture of innocence, lurking in the shadows and unafraid of the apparell of a technology made monster. What life could have done this?
But as much as he wished he had he didn't have enough time. He never seemed to have enough. But where to start looking for this 'Niko'?
He sighed
Never enough time

Karasu slept fitfully... bits and pieces of her past flashing on and off. Some of the wonderful childhood memories... memories of her training since the age of three with the idea she was to become a performer. Maybe even with Cirque and she'd be the best! The best part of all the training was being airborne. It was as if she could fly. She always wanted to fly, and practically could! She was also trained in most martial arts, and learned to use all the traditional Oriental weaponry expertly. Her brothers, sisters, and parents all played a part of this training. She was a force to be reckoned with by the age of ten. Using her gymnastic/aerial ability, she could easily spring from very low heights, to very high heights, and land, for the most part, silently. She was sure she would be accepted into a great performance group with the skills she was taught! It was a grueling, but yet exciting time for her, and she enjoyed every minute of it. She had her career all planned. A performer! She would wow the crowd with her flying!!

Karasu was smiling in her sleep remembering this... but the next memories became darker. She remembered particular phrases and words: Must learn ALL weapons... all firearms, silencers... Our Family Legacy... What you were raised for... And the worst of all: Must hit twenty marks between the ages of twelve and thirteen. You have no choice. Should you fail... And the last thing she remembered dreaming: Watching her family's large estate explode into nothing... "Zane! Someone killed them... killed them all!"

She awoke shaking and drenched with perspiration... that last memory still spinning in her mind. Even to this day, Karasu had no clue as to who killed them. She had been firmly entrenched in the life by then and vowed to find her family's killer or killers, but never managed. She guessed the reason anyway. Really, an entire family of assassins, generation after generation. She had lucked out. Zane, her family's "contact" had asked her out for dinner and a movie that evening. Karasu was the only one left. No family. No friends. She thought of a song she could swear was written for her: "No room for errors no room for mistakes... No time for friends it's for your own sake. Twists and turns... Twisted nerve..." It was one of her favorites, most likely because it was as if SHE wrote it herself.

Karasu got up and decided she would not wait for who knows how long to hear from Zane. He was like that. Normally she would have done all the legwork herself. She really trusted no one. But she was tired. She would keep it discreet.

Karasu dressed in a red suit/skirt and heels, "the damned heels again!", dark black sunglasses and of course, hidden weapons. She had learned how to conceal some of the clunkiest weapons without evoking any suspicion. Now, to come up with a story that sounds plausible as to how she knew what she knew, without giving away any knowledge. As she walked down the street she saw an office building, but what caught her eye was one of the occupants: Mr. Grammian, P.I. Grammian! It can't be the same man! Not the one she followed that bizarre night. She had no choice, she HAD to find out, and what if it WAS the same man! Well, then he'd have some info I guess,she chuckled to herself. Most likely it would not be the same man, but a P.I. nevertheless, so a good place to start either way. Grammian the assassin had never seen her, but Karasu had seen him, so she had the edge for now, should it turn out they were the same man.

Karasu took the stairs up to Mr. Grammian's office, took a deep breath and knocked on the door, bracing herself .

A male voice inside yelled for her to come in. A man looked up at her. It's him! The wounded eye from the hit was now covered with an eye patch, but this definitely was the same man! Assassin/PI, a day AND a night job. She smiled to herself.

"Mr. Grammian, my name is Karina Jones." Jones? What the hell am I thinking!? "I would like to possibly hire you, if you are taking new clients..."

OOC: off and on posts… pain meds…blah

Grammian was still pissed about not finding the burglar the night before. It was as if he (and he wasn't entirely sure it was a he either) had simply vanished. Good trick for a burlgar.

When the knock came at his door, he called them in. A young woman, dolled up in a red suit and skirt, and some lethal looking high-heels that she looked really uncomfortable in.

He listened to her introduction, then motioned to the seat opposite his desk. It was the only fair thing to do, considering how painful her shoes looked.

"Ms. Jones, I'm always happy to take on new clients. You've come at a very oppertune time; my previous engagement has reached a conclusion." He tried to avoid touching his eyepatch, but his attention slipped for a few seconds and the hand rubbed it. Damn. "Money wise, I'm fairly reasonable. All I ask is one hundred dollars to start with. We can discuss a price when we're finished."

He stretched his arms out, working out the strain from his last few nights' activities. "I'll also need a full explanation of why I'm being hired. Personally, I hate working in the dark."

He looked "Karina Jones" in the eye.

"Luke?"

Demetrill silently waved the man in without turning from the window.

"Warehouse 1-7 Delta is secure. I just got off the phone with Gastwein."

Luke considered this a moment, glancing to a file on his desk, "Do we know who was there?"

"Kruschev."

"And his status would be...?"

Luke was not known to be a tolerant man, so this patience of his for this whole ordeal was quite alarming. The agent shifted uncomfortably. "He terminated Miller... and escaped."

Luke was silent for an agonizing length of time, staring out the window to some distant spot on the horizon. When he finally spoke, it was unnervingly soft and calm. "You know what needs to be done, so do it."

"Yes, sir."

"And for godsake, check the surveillance tapes." He glanced over his shoulder at the agent, a bull of a man, and fixed him with a look that could pierce the soul and take several inches off his height. "Do not disappoint me."

The agent needed no more explanation in the matter. Luke's implicit threat was more than enough to get the point across. He backed out of the room and punched a number into his cell. First things first, empty the warehouse to an auxiliary location. Then find that freak Kruschev before he managed to do something incredibly stupid.

----

Nico ducked into yet another alley, where he remained hidden for as long as he dared. He had managed to flee several blocks, stopping just short of the downtown area. The echos of footsteps had faded behind him, and he had not heard anything more for almost 10 minutes. What the hell had he stumbled across in that facility? Figuring the coast was clear enough, he stepped out into the street again, but stayed close to the buildings. Before long, morning rush hour would rear its ugly head and this area would be crawling with white-collars grabbing their coffee and breakfast before retreating to their office buildings a few blocks to the south.

If he was going to eat this morning, it needed to be now, before the place got busy. If not for the fangs, his appearance would be discreet enough. From what he caught in the news report, the description they gave out could be any of hundreds of men in this city. A quick search of his pockets revealed a calling card, and $50 worth of cash. A thin smile pulled at the corner of his mouth as he spotted a homeless man begging across the street. Quickly, he crossed and pulled the man into the alley. He presented him with $10 and instructions. The bum could get himself a meal with the change and still keep what was left over. Whatever apprehension he felt quickly vanished with the promise of a meal.

Gratefully, Nico took the small bag of fast food his liason proffered and left him to his own meal. Nearby, he spotted a phone booth and sealed himself inside, turning up the edge of his collar slightly to hide his face from the glass walls. He flipped through the yellow pages quickly.

S..Q..P. Now police...where the hell are the police? He flipped though the 'P' section carefully, scanning the references at the top of the pages. Private Investigators...what's this? Grammian... On second thought this might be safer than the police. After all, they were looking for him. Who would really believe his story? Even he wasn't too sure on most of it. Everything before his freedom came in brief snapshots and hazy memories. But they would steadily clear...he was sure of it.

Lifting the receiver, he punched in the numbers for his calling card, followed by the ones for this investigator. He only prayed someone would pick up...this message was not one for an answering machine.

Grammian had barely finished addressing his latest client when his phone started ringing. He turned and stared at his desk for a few seconds, trying to remember what the noise was supposed to be. It had been that long since he'd received a phone call.

Suddenly grasping the significance of the ringing, he made a "One moment, please" motion with his hand and moved to his desk.

The phone. Where the hell was his phone? Numerous newspapers and envelopes cluttered his desk, the ringing piercing the pile with its steady cacophony. He smashed a few out of the way, revealing the old black phone. He grabbed the receiver and said, "Grammian, Private Investigator."

Those three words were enough to catch his heart in his throat. What the hell was he thinking, calling this stranger?

"Hello? Hi, I'm... my name is Vincent," he stammered, then instantly composed himself. "There is a warehouse on Church street in North Leslock. 215, I think was the number...do you think you could run it and see who owns the building? What the records say it is used for? You will be well compensated.."

Nico mentally kicked himself. He should have prepared before doing this. But instinct drove him, and it would not be ignored. Patiently he awaited the man's response, memorizing the address of his office just to be safe.

He was now certain that Artemis was using the building, but the question now was why, and who owned it? Artemis itself or perhaps some puppet corporation? They were a research organization. What could they possibly need with all those weapons..?

Grammian pulled a pen out of his shirt pocket and scribbled the address down on his wrist. "Uh huh. I'll see what I can do."

It wasn't the most mysterious phone call he'd ever had, truth be told, but it still started warning bells ringing. Personally, Grammian was a supporter of charity... just as long as he didn't have to do anything other than dump some change into a collection bucket every now and then. But doing his job for free? No. This wasn't some valuable civil service he was doing. It was business, pure and simple.

He mentally shook his head. How many contracts had he justified in the same way?

"Listen, we'll need to meet at some point. I'll need something in the way of a guarantee... some people make a deposit of a watch or whatever. When's convenient?"

"I am a man of my word, Mr. Grammian. Of that I can assure you. But if you insist on a down payment, expect a package later today."

He checked his watch. Most businesses let out around five in the afternoon. It would have to be before then or the streets would be crowded. Too crowded to travel safely.

"When should I call again? Oh, and I do hope this is a secure line..."

Hopefully it is too soon for them to be monitering calls within the city. Hell, they might not have even recognized me. Stop jumping the gun, Nico.

"Phone again.." Grammian looked at his watch, particularly at the date, "...tomorrow, at the same time. I'll see what I can do about this address."

He made a mental note of the 'secure line' comment. Whoever this new client was, he sure was jumpy. Or a pro. Either way, it was too early to tell. But this 'package' would certainly shed some light on the subject.

Excellent.

He hung up the phone and exited into the street once more, finishing off his breakfast during the walk. The next issue would be trying to determine what on earth he could use to convince Grammian to take the case. On the corner, he discreetly grabbed a newspaper from the sidewalk vendor. No one seemed to notice, so he kept walking north. After a few blocks, he took a seat on a stoop. The street was away from the main line of traffic, so it seemed the locals were the only ones he had to worry about.

Well, Nico, you got your freedom. What do you plan on doing with it?

He cracked open the paper, only to find his name large as life on the front page near the bottom. The article mentioned the four he had killed the previous night, and a fifth strangled with a garrote. But this wasn't right... he killed that man after the papers would have been printed. Then he noticed something else wrong, the article listed the asfixiation victem was a woman, stating that it "may or may not be related."

Oh, please. There are killings every night in cities like this, and reporters have to make them all connect. Sensationalists, every one of them.

The article mentioned something else disheartening. The police were offering a reward for him, standing at $1000 for the time being. Thankfully he had a fairly generic appearance... as long as he didn't open his mouth. Nico scanned the street reflexively, but the few people who were about payed him no mind. With senses straining for anything unusual, he continued reading the paper.

Karasu looked back at Grammian trying her best not to chuckle after his last sentence. Hates to work in the dark, huh! Mentally she was laughing.
The myrth in her mind ended when she realized what she had done by coming here. I didn't think this through!, nearly screaming at herself aloud.

Karasu did not operate this way and was never this careless. How can I present myself in a way that wouldn't lead to any suspicion? Point blank... she couldn't. She had jumped the gun and taken off this morning to find some sort of assistance getting information. And she did NOT think anything through. The incidents she had witnessed since she came to this city were strange enough. However, Zane tracking her down after so many years was the clincher. Giving her no real information, the words "need for your services", echoed through her head. She knew he would not have gone through the trouble if it wasn't vital.

And now she was in the office of the assassin she watched the other night, angry as hell that, not only did she run right off to find someone she didn't know she could trust, but that she actually went to THIS man when she saw his name on the building. Unfortunately, Karasu's curiosity and impatience had led her to make these blunders. Perhaps they were somewhat calculated blunders. Even though she could walk out, she chose not to. Grammian himself was a mystery she wanted solved. If this man is a P.I. and an assassin, part of the day and night world, he has to be connected to more sources than any other P.I.

She was relieved when the office phone rang. Another minute or two to think... Still not enough time to come up with a plausible story. Karasu sighed. She usually did her own investigating, but there were too many questions. She could not follow all these leads at once, and she never knew when Zane would show up with more information. He always showed up as he promised, but it could be a day, a week... She just wasn't that patient with any of this. In addition, she was just plain tired.

Karasu, realizing Grammian was not ONLY a P.I. knew she needed to tread carefully here. How to avoid suspicion. I can only ask him to investigate one or two things to begin with. She pondered what to ask him to investigate and how to go about it, while simultaneously listening to his end of the phone conversation. At one point, Grammian wrote an address on his wrist, and Karasu made a mental note of it. She wasn't sure why, but everything was on the list of possible leads.


"Phone again.." Grammian looked at his watch, particularly at the date, "...tomorrow, at the same time. I'll see what I can do about this address."


...the last words Grammian spoke prior to ending the call. Karasu smiled to herself. She intended to check out the address written on Grammian's arm, and to show up this time tomorrow as well.

When he ended his call, Karasu began... completely unprepared.

"Mr. Grammian, first, I'd like you to know that money is no object. The reason I am hiring you is only to get a little information for me." Think think! She shifted in her chair. "I can't give you a full explanation as to why I'm hiring you. I don't really have one. I just want some information on a few things that have happened since I moved to this city."

She was hoping against hope he would check into a few things without having a lot of information as to why.

She continued, "As you are well aware, there have been a lot of murders recently." Karasu looked up to see if Grammian looked suspicious or perked up when the subject of murder was brought up. Of course he's not going to let on if he thinks my requests odd. He's a pro for God's sake! "Several of these murders have been attributed to a man named Nicola Kruschev, which I'm sure you're also aware of."

Mentally becoming a bit bold, Karasu just spit it out, "I need any information you can give me on this man." That was clever. So much for avoiding suspicion.

Going right into her second request before letting Grammian ask any questions of her, she continued. "The second piece of information I need is regarding two murders just reported. They were both attributed to Nicola." Thinking about the melted man, Karasu went on... "I would like you to find out the actual CAUSE of death of these two people. This was never mentioned on the news or anywhere else, just that they were attributed to this 'Nico' who they say escaped from a mental institution." Mental institution my ass.

That was all she would ask for now. As if that wasn't enough! Damn it!
she thought to herself.

Truth be told, she never mentioned the question which intrigued her most. She wanted to know about the cyborg. After seeing that woman in the alley react to the cyborg in such a way, and him trying to prevent her from seeing his face, I know this man is uncomfortable being seen. A pity. No one should have to live so alone... her thoughts trailed off. Karasu considered the irony of what she was thinking, but when she went into the streets, she didn't have to fear people seeing her and reacting the way that woman did. I don't think I would want to have this man investigated. Something is different about this man/cyborg. Even if he plays a part in this, my intuition tells me, it's OK. And he's OK. Karasu wondered why she trusted this cyborg she had never met. No, not cyborg... that word is just plain wrong. It singles him out as an oddity. He is a man with some artificial enhancements. She corrected herself mentally, This MAN she never met.

Karasu snapped back to reality... "Mr. Grammian, would you be interested in finding out these two pieces of information for me? As I said, money is no object."

Grammian leaned back into his chair.

"Well, miss, the two items you've asked for will be... difficult to investigate. This Kruschev, as I'm sure you know, is a major news item. The police will most certainly be keeping any information on him very secure for the time being. However, I should be able to get some results.

"As for the second item... well, coroner's reports are extremely difficult to get hands on. However, I happen to have a contact in the coroner's office who'll be able to get you what you need. Of course, such information is very illegal, and I take no responsibility for anything that results from you having them."

He leaned forward, onto his desk. "For my services, I ask a mere 200 dollars deposit to get me started; 100 dollars per task. Upon completion, I'll require 2000 dollars; 1000 per task. If I can't complete a task, you will have your deposit back. Reasonable, don't you think?"

A short while later, Andreus came across a street computor terminal used for money transactions. He wandered over to it and looked at it for a second before deciding it could be turned to his purpous. He didn't worry about privacy, noone would come near the terminal when he was using it.
'Bless this conduit unto the unseen world of the modern age, and forgive this sin of intrusion I commit this day, even though I am unworthy of such a forgiveness. I do this in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit' he made the sign of the cross on his chest and set to work. A small metallic tendril reached out and inserted itself into the computers innards, and eventually its probing found a suitable interface. Suddenly the entire world of information was available to him, spinning through his mind like a torrent. Each computor was connected to another, and another, and soon the network reached just about anything. All he had to do was reach out and pluck what he wanted from the sea of ones and zeroes. That was the problem with hackers, they saw things as linear, break down a door and move to the next, going through every piece of security individually. It was far easier to just see it all, read it like a book, select chapters you liked. He ran a search on 'Nico' and it came back with a range of information.
'Now my freind, step into the light and be seen....' He retracted the tendril with the information buzzing in his cortex like an angry fly.

He dropped down silently from the sky-light. Unusual since a decent proportion of his body was made of a metal alloy. He walked along the rows of the dead, all extinguished lives no more to go on making thier ripple in the water of the world. Entire lives reduced to slabs of cooling meat in a lab. Usually he would have stopped and read them the last rites to help them make the passing- somthing that was done to few times in this day and age- but he had more pressing issues. He stopped at a table with a young woman on, her neck torn out horribly. He moved up to the head of the slab and with one finger touched the side of her face tenderly

'So young.....' He shookhis head. He had to get a grip, death took us all, young an old. All he could do was deny it some people for a time. And that meant doing his duty.
He ran a cotten bud along the wound catching the blood and a clear substance with it. He sudies it closeley and....

'Saliva?' He pulled out a slot from his right arm and wiped some of the substance onto a slide. It read out the results too him and showed him the foreign invaders. It was more horrible than anything he had ever seen

'What? What is this?! This...this is a sheer rape of mother nature, a....a perversion!' He threw the slide onto the floor to get it away from him and it smashed. He froze instantly and listened, there was somthing....
A guard burst in and his eyes opened wide at the sight of Andreus. Andreus carefully raised his hands to show he had nothing in his hands. Unfortunatly this meant he was also showing his hands. The guard saw the large gleaming fingers and fired in shock

'No!' It hit Andreus in the shoulder and he spun backwards from the force. He desperately lept up and caught the edge of the skylight then climbed out, but not before the guard put another bullet into his leg.

A while later after escaping from the police forces called in he slumped down in an alley bleeding profusley. he made the sign of the cross on his chest again and let his head flop back blearily
'Our father....who art in heaven.....hallowed be thy name....' He chanted the lords prayer with the last of his strength, with each line growing fainter and fainter

Karasu leaned forward in her chair, legs still crossed, completely having forgotten those cursed Manolo Blahniks, amazed at how simple this was. I'm positive he must be wondering why I want this information. That was the only issue. A man like Grammian would not just take a job like this without suspicion. I'm sure he will try to investigate me. Thank God all data on me is false. Zane really came through getting me so many false identities. It made my job and life so much easier. To Grammian, I am Karina Jones, but that isn't one of the identities in the data bases! Why the hell did I said "Jones" as a last name? That isn't one of my AKAs! Using one of my AKAs is a no brainer! I must need more sleep. I'm not being careful enough. This issue will be highly suspicious but there isn't anything I can do now.

"Mr. Grammian, your prices are more than reasonable. If you can get this information for me, and it is reliable, I will double your fee. It seems you have connections in all the right places. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that you actually may be able to get both these pieces of information for me. I will, of course, take all responsibility for having those coroner's reports, should I be found out. And your name will never come up. However, I'm positive that will not happen."

Karasu stood up and picked up her bag, the same bag that held her black clothes, which she intended to change into when she left, and tossed a thousand dollars on Mr. Grammian's desk.

"Consider this a little extra incentive."

"As I said, money is no object." Karasu had amassed so much money from contract work, that she could burn it in her fireplace for heat if she wanted. But that wasn't important to her. As long as she had enough to live on, that was enough. However, since she had so much money, she did buy luxuriously. Why not? She also gave money to charities anonymously as well as helped out the beggars on the street. Karasu wasn't as cold as she liked to think she was.

She handed Grammian a piece of paper with a number. "This is my cell phone number. Call me at any time."

Karasu smiled at Mr. Grammian P.I./Assassin, turned and cooly walked out the door. Well that went...strangely. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. For now the address on Grammian's wrist was calling.

Karasu, took the stairs to the bottom floor, not caring about the shoes. It wasn't the heels. Her WORK shoes were a type of heel. It was those damned pointy toe areas in front. No one has feet shaped like a triangle! she mentally screamed.

She left the building and walked around to a deserted side and jumped to the roof of one of the adjacent buildings... Staying dead center and behind a chimney, Karasu changed into her usual clothes. What a relief!

Dusk had set in and Karasu's objective was the address on Grammian's wrist. She began jumping roof to roof in that direction. There's always something to do in this city at night, even if I haven't been hired for any hits.

Suddenly she heard the shrill sirens of police cars, and lots of them. Maybe another murder? I have to check it out. If that's the case, I want to be at the scene, and if Nico is involved, searching for him will become first priority.

Karasu immediately changed course. It was dark enough now that she should be quite unnoticed on the roofs. She saw the building where the coroner worked. The morgue. It was surrounded by police cars. She was waiting for her chance to jump to the building and hopefully be able to hear the police. Karasu realized the only safe place on the roof did not allow her to hear any conversation... only a word or two here and there when one of them was particularly loud. Damn! And it just isn't safe for me to go down there. Anybody could be down there. Maybe even Grammian.

She strained to hear as best she could. "Shot twice"... "metal hand"... "escaped." metal hand! Karasu's heart began pounding. It has to be the man from the alley! There aren't a lot of people running around with cybernetic hands, at least as far as I know. Why were the police after him? He must be trying to get the same information I am! Karasu had a feeling this was the case... that these strange events were connected somehow.

Karasu now had a different task tonight. To find the cybernetic enhanced man. I really hope he's OK., she thought to herself while flying between buildings and searching the streets. At one point she jumped over an alley, and between buildings she looked down. It's him!!! She still had her black face mask on, so her anonymity would be preserved. She didn't even think twice. Karasu jumped right into the alley landing about four feet from the man. He's praying.

Karasu walked up to the semi-conscious man, crouched down, and quickly took note of his wounds. She pulled out some long black cloth, which she kept in her cape/cloak and began tying it tightly around the bullet wounds, making sure to apply pressure to slow the bleeding. He mumbled a bit incoherently. She would have done this for anyone, but something else came into play here. Why is it I am so drawn to this man? Perhaps it's because he is so different from just about everyone, and I don't mean the cybernetics or his appearance. She pondered this as she put pressure on the wounds. It was likely, that after seeing him in the alley from the roof that dark night, listening to him utter words she was not used to hearing anyone say, and watching him extend himself to help someone else with no ulterior motive, she thought she saw a truly GOOD man. A selfless man. Something Karasu was not used to. And a man completely alone. She could relate to that feeling, but guessed he was likely even more alone, due to his appearance. That was not all there was to it, but in her conscious mind, she had a hard time deciphering it all.

It then occurred to her that she had no idea how he might react to her when he was conscious. At this point, she shook him a bit to revive him to where he was more fully conscious. So heavy., she thought. Seeing all the cybernetics, the tubes, the metal, things she had never seen before, Karasu concluded that this man's life was most likely saved by this advanced technology... but who had this technology? That was irrelevant now.

He seemed to be coming around. Karasu lowered her face cloth and exposed her eyes. She cradled his head in her lap, and looked him directly in the eyes. "I want to help you..."

Karasu leaned forward in her chair, legs still crossed, completely having forgotten those cursed Manolo Blahniks, amazed at how simple this was. I'm positive he must be wondering why I want this information. That was the only issue. A man like Grammian would not just take a job like this without suspicion. I'm sure he will try to investigate me. Thank God all data on me is false. Zane really came through getting me so many false identities. It made my job and life so much easier. To Grammian, I am Karina Jones, but that isn't one of the identities in the data bases! Why the hell did I said "Jones" as a last name? That isn't one of my AKAs! Using one of my AKAs is a no brainer! I must need more sleep. I'm not being careful enough. This issue will be highly suspicious but there isn't anything I can do now.

"Mr. Grammian, your prices are more than reasonable. If you can get this information for me, and it is reliable, I will double your fee. It seems you have connections in all the right places. Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that you actually may be able to get both these pieces of information for me. I will, of course, take all responsibility for having those coroner's reports, should I be found out. And your name will never come up. However, I'm positive that will not happen."

Karasu stood up and picked up her bag, the same bag that held her black clothes, which she intended to change into when she left, and tossed a thousand dollars on Mr. Grammian's desk.

"Consider this a little extra incentive."

"As I said, money is no object." Karasu had amassed so much money from contract work, that she could burn it in her fireplace for heat if she wanted. But that wasn't important to her. As long as she had enough to live on, that was enough. However, since she had so much money, she did buy luxuriously. Why not? She also gave money to charities anonymously as well as helped out the beggars on the street. Karasu wasn't as cold as she liked to think she was.

She handed Grammian a piece of paper with a number. "This is my cell phone number. Call me at any time."

Karasu smiled at Mr. Grammian P.I./Assassin, turned and cooly walked out the door. Well that went...strangely. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. For now the address on Grammian's wrist was calling.

Karasu, took the stairs to the bottom floor, not caring about the shoes. It wasn't the heels. Her WORK shoes were a type of heel. It was those damned pointy toe areas in front. No one has feet shaped like a triangle! she mentally screamed.

She left the building and walked around to a deserted side and jumped to the roof of one of the adjacent buildings... Staying dead center and behind a chimney, Karasu changed into her usual clothes. What a relief!

Dusk had set in and Karasu's objective was the address on Grammian's wrist. She began jumping roof to roof in that direction. There's always something to do in this city at night, even if I haven't been hired for any hits.

Suddenly she heard the shrill sirens of police cars, and lots of them. Maybe another murder? I have to check it out. If that's the case, I want to be at the scene, and if Nico is involved, searching for him will become first priority.

Karasu immediately changed course. It was dark enough now that she should be quite unnoticed on the roofs. She saw the building where the coroner worked. The morgue. It was surrounded by police cars. She was waiting for her chance to jump to the building and hopefully be able to hear the police. Karasu realized the only safe place on the roof did not allow her to hear any conversation... only a word or two here and there when one of them was particularly loud. Damn! And it just isn't safe for me to go down there. Anybody could be down there. Maybe even Grammian.

She strained to hear as well as she could. "Shot twice" "Metal hand" "Escaped." Metal hand! Karasu's heart began pounding. It has to be the man from the alley! There aren't a lot of people running around with cybernetic hands, at least as far as I know... I'm glad he escaped the police. He must be trying to get the same information I am! Karasu had a feeling this was the case... that these strange events were connected somehow.

Karasu now had a different task tonight. To find the cybernetic enhanced man. I really hope he's OK., she thought to herself while flying between buildings and searching the streets. Then she jumped over an alley, and between buildings, she looked down. It's him!!! She still had her black face mask on, so her anonymity would be preserved. She didn't even think twice and jumped into the alley landing about four feet from the man. He's praying.

Karasu walked up to him and crouched down, and quickly took note of his wounds. She shook him a bit to revive him a little. So heavy., she thought. Seeing all the cybernetics, Karasu thought that this man's life was likely saved by this advanced technology.

She cradled his head in her lap, and looked him in the eyes. "I want to help you..."

'For thine is the kingdom....the.....the power and....the glory' He looked up to the figure who was holding him. Had they found him? He couldn't see....his vision was blurred....he tapped into the implant in the back of his left eyeball and studied the face above him. At first he saw nothing but a mask, so he altered the settings slightly so he saw what was beyond the mask. What he saw was beautiful to the average eye, but to a dying man it was-
'This is heaven. I have fulfilled my penance and now I may rest...for surely nothing on even gods earth can be pictured in such awe....' He reached up and touched her face with a cold hand, feeling the contours and definitions.
'The violations of the flesh seem so far away now....' He reached with his other hand over to his shoulder wound, but winced when he touched it
Pain? Surley not...but that means.....
'Who are you?' He asked quietly. He also realised his face was almost exposed and he turned his head away from her so she could not see
'You must not be here, I am followed and they will surley come across me soon. It is best that you are not there, please, go'

'For thine is the kingdom....the.....the power and....the glory' He looked up to the figure who was holding him. Had they found him? He couldn't see....his vision was blurred....he tapped into the implant in the back of his left eyeball and studied the face above him. At first he saw nothing but a mask, so he altered the settings slightly so he saw what was beyond the mask. What he saw was beautiful to the average eye, but to a dying man it was-
'This is heaven. I have fulfilled my penance and now I may rest...for surely nothing on even gods earth can be pictured in such awe....' He reached up and touched her face with a cold hand, feeling the contours and definitions.
'The violations of the flesh seem so far away now....' He reached with his other hand over to his shoulder wound, but winced when he touched it
Pain? Surley not...but that means.....
'Who are you?' He asked quietly. He also realised his face was almost exposed and he turned his head away from her so she could not see
'You must not be here, I am followed and they will surley come across me soon. It is best that you are not there, please, go'

The man began to come out of his delirious state. Karasu breathed a sigh of relief upon his awakening. She felt his metal hand touch her face, but didn’t flinch. On the contrary. Soothing. He had turned his head away from her, and she guessed why. His head was still cradled in her lap.

"Please don't look away. I want to continue to see the man I'm speaking with. I am aware that you look different from most people and I do not find anything unpleasant about your appearance. Not in any way, so please don’t hide yourself from me."

After he asked who she was, she put herself way out on a limb: "My name is Karasu." Now two people know my true name. "I... happened to be on the roof a couple nights ago when you stopped some men from raping a woman in an alley." Happened to be on a roof? Well that didn't sound like a normal thing to be doing. At this point Karasu wondered what this man would make of her... a woman running around on roofs at night, her face covered with a mask, and loads of weapons. She didn't know if he saw the weapons or not. I probably weigh nearly what he does with all the metal and weaponry I carry, she thought to herself.

"I just came across you here a few minutes ago. I’ve bandaged your wounds the best I could with what I have with me. I am aware the police are after you and I’m not going to leave you here. I trust you have done nothing wrong. Please don't ask me why, but I trust you.” Karasu still did not know why she blindly trusted this stranger. She had NEVER done such thing. In her life, she had found that she really could trust no one. And here she had just given a stranger her real name.

She continued, “We cannot let the police find you. Somehow, we have to get you out of here. I will do anything I can to help. Unfortunately, I don't believe I can support your weight much.", she said with a sad smile. It was dawning on her that the logistical problems would be the most difficult, and this frustrated her. Remain calm. There has to be a way.

"Can you walk at all?" she asked, praying that he could get up. "If you can't move, we'll have to come up with some other plan. I refuse to leave you here." Even if... even if I have to hold the police off myself...

"You have yet to tell me your name. Who might you be, sir?" she asked, wishing he could relate his entire life story into nothing but his name.

Nico had spent most of the day attempting to stay out of sight. A few times he was certain a police cruiser had spotted him, but each time he ducked out of sight and was not followed. He was certain the reward for his capture would increase each day he was not found. In fact, he counted on it. For now.

His progress was slow but steady as he drew ever closer to Grammian's office. His only question now, was how exactly to get his guarantee to the investigator. He spotted the office building across the street, with a little sign proclaiming its residents.

Artemis seemed very committed to marking their property. Nico was no exception. He pulled a small silver medical bracelet off his wrist. It was engraved with his name, and centered below that a number. 65-41728. Not that it mattered. The same was tattooed beneath the 'A' on his forearm.

Carefully, he stepped into the building's lobby, mindful to keep his face out of the direct sight of the surveillance camera. Along one wall was a row of slots for mail, similar to an in-box. He located Grammian's mailbox and set the bit of silver inside on top of a scawled note bearing the words "Here is my watch, Mr. Grammian. Take good care of it."

He exited the building just as quickly. His prints would undoubtedly be on the bracelet, but it did not matter. They would register to a man who had been in a coma for most of his life. And a death certificate from when they pulled the plug. Setting his jaw, he found the nearest phone booth and looked up the address of the Artemis headquarters. No doubt the building was a facade of some sort, but at least it was a starting point.

Grammian sat in his office and tapped his chin, just as he always did when he was thinking. The new client that he met in person, who evidentally had lots of money to throw around. And wanted to know about this "Nicola" guy. An unusual request. Maybe she was an eccentric millionair who wanted to know about the latest news item. A check into her details would confirm that or not quickly enough.

But as for the second client, the caller...

Grammian pulled his jacket on and stuffed the money into the inside pocket. The phone number he folded and put next to the phone on his desk. He looked at the address on his wrist. First idea would be to have a look at it, see if it even existed. Then he would call a contact in the police station and get a background check run on it.

While he was at it, he may as well make some inquiries into the recent murders for his new client.

On the way out the lobby of his building, he noticed something in his in-box. He had forgotten about the mystery caller's "package". He pulled open the tray, and pulled out the contents. A watch. And a note. Well, at least it was a deposit.

It only occured to him afterwards that it could've been a bomb.

He left the building, and headed to the caller's requested address. At least now he knew that "Vincent" existed, at least.

The dim light of the run-down appartment did little to interfere with his concerntration. The faint plinking noise of powder grains tumbling into a small metallic pan was the only real noise within the apartment's walls. The man who'd rented the appartment temporarily went by Peter Zion, a mercenary who did occasional bounty-hunting work when he needed the cash.

Zion was of noteworthy looks. Blessed with facial features that could have easily landed him the leading role in an action film, he'd wasted whatever movie career he might have had when he joined the USMC, rising to join Force Recon & finally to Scout/Sniper school where he'd learned his current trade. Peter's hair was a shade lighter than jet black, curly and around shoulder length that he kept tied back in a ragged ponytail in defiance of RDPMC grooming regulations. A custom-built WA2000 snipers' rifle comissioned from the Winchester company lay across the table in front of him, behind the bullet-press & grain-counter he'd brought along.

The weapon had the standard chassis of the WA2000 line, but sported high-impact polymer in place of the usual wood furnishings. The free-floating barrel had been lengthened slightly to accomodate an integrated flash/sound surpressor that allowed him to fire standard .300 WinMag rounds relatively quietly. The standard trigger on the semi-automatic rifle had been replaced with a two-stage system for greater accuracy. A Knight Armament Corporation customized combat optic dominated the top of the weapon, capable of 20x telescopic zoom, thermal targeting, and sporting an integrated laser rangefinder. A trintium lamp provided illumination for night-shooting when thermal was ineffective. The exterior lenses had been tinted a crimson hue to prevent lens-flare from giving away his position during extended ops.
Firing the high-powered thirty-caliber Winchester magnum from an eight-round detatchable box magazine, Zion had the ability to drop up to nine targets from his first series of shots, as he always kept a round in the chamber for security reasons.

He'd always been something of a socialite, odd for one who killed from six-hundred yards out without batting an eye. At the moment, he was alone, hand-loading a new batch of ammunition for his rifle. He'd trust nothing short of his own cartridges in the high-priced longarm across from him. The small spiral-bound pocket notebook next to the nickel-plated M96FS detailed his assignment, scribbled in his own bold handwriting:

Objectives

Grammian $100,000 USD
Private Detective moonlighting as a hitman. Offed some female friend of a client who popped Grammian's eye with a letter opener. Positive DNA match on the dried blood from the office. Has an office downtown, rooftop access for the building across the street.

Kruschev $500,000 USD
Government bad-ass gone AWOL, needs to be eliminated. Unknown location, body count of three so far, one unconfirmed. Possible vampire of unknown specie, bring appropriate ammunition. Most likely armed & dangerous.

Peter had to hand it to the people in the RDPMC's intel division. Details where always in place before he even deployed for an assignment, which eliminated time-consuming field recon. In an hour, after he'd finished loading his ammunition for the current contract, he'd do a little sneak-and-peek before setting up a nest across from the Private Eye guy's office. He'd snuff the easy stuff first, and possibly dig up some clues to the location of the second mark in the process...

Karasu's mind was spinning, trying to put together all the pieces. Nicola. Somehow everything revolved around this man. If only Zane would show up and tell me what is going on! That bastard! Leaving me hanging like this! The bodies I'm paying Grammian to check into are in the morgue this man broke into. Karasu's instincts told her that this wounded cybernetic man was looking for the same bodies.

Karasu was so drawn to this injured man. She knew she couldn't support his weight if he couldn't walk. He still hadn't told her if he could, but she doubted it.

If she could just get him to her apartment, she could treat his wounds. Karasu had enough medical knowledge and experience treating bullet wounds that it would be a snap for her to treat this man at home. If only she could get her car quickly. Unfortunately, it was in the garage under her apartment building. As usual, she left her car at night and took to the roofs.

She slowly moved her hands to hold his metal hand, still looking him in the eyes. She held his metal hand to her face. It felt soothing to her. "I am going to do everything I can to get you out of here and I will treat your wounds." The only course of action she could come up with was to get her car to the alley.

Somewhat nervously, Karasu slowly stood up and took off her long black cape revealing what was underneath. Weapons... mostly from the past. A katana, two wakizashis, throwing stars, sais, throwing knives, and a weapon most likely never seen before. It was a family heirloom. Attached under her long black leather gloves were concealed switchblade type weapons. However, they were more like 'switch daggers'. Quite long and with a flick of the wrist, they could snap out twice the length the distance between her elbows and wrists. When activated, the two pieces snapped into place at lightening speed. These were formidable weapons, as no one could see them, and it was likely that she had the only pair, as they were passed down through generations in her family. She also had one gun with a silencer, and a pouch of ammo. She had just about every weapon you could think of, but this is what she had for now, the rest being at her apartment. Karasu hoped the man would not be shocked or unsettled seeing this.

After checking his wounds to make sure the bleeding was subsiding, she draped her black cape over him to conceal him a little better. "You'll be less likely noticed this way." she said. The cape was heavy, but to him, it was probably like a feather.

She kneeled down and put the gun with the silencer in his hand, and set the ammunition pouch next to him. "Use this if you need to. It's the only gun I have with me, or I'd offer you more. I’m going to run home and get my car and get you out of here." Karasu stated. "You're quite well hidden at the back of the alley, covered with the black cape, and you have the gun for protection. It's the best I can do under the circumstances. I pray you will be safe the short time I'm gone. I should be back in fifteen minutes or so. Oh! You still haven't told me who you are? What is your name?" she asked again.

Karasu started walking toward the alley exit to check the streets for police before she took to the roof. As she walked, she heard voices and stopped, she was about forty feet from the alley exit. Not the police!!! She stopped in her tracks and stood silently in the center of the alley when two men, rather tough looking walked by and saw her standing in the center of the alley. They could not see the man in back. They turned back and walked into the alley.

"Well well, what do we have here?" the first man said with a sickening grin on his face.

"Looks like a little ninja girl!" the second man snickered. "Costume party tonight pretty lady?" he laughed. "So little ninja, why don't we party tonight... right here." He said menacingly. "Even if you can use those ridiculous weapons, they're useless." He pulled out a pistol and pointed it at her.

Both men started walking toward her laughing and talking obscenely about what they were going to do to her. Karasu despised people like this more than any other type of person. Those who tormented the helpless. Of course she wasn't helpless, but they didn't know that. These pigs are revolting. I wonder how many other women they've attacked?

"I suggest you turn around and leave this alley now. I don't want any trouble. Put away your gun. I will ask you once. Understand that if you do not put away the gun and leave the alley, I will not hold myself responsible for the consequences." Karasu said coolly, eyes flashing.

The men kept walking toward her laughing. "What the hell?! Check this! This bitch thinks SHE's in charge!" They continued their sickening leering and grinning.

"Put the gun down now and do not come any closer." The men kept laughing. Finally, when they were about ten feet away, all that could be seen was a black and silver flash. The men stood there with a blank look for less than a second before their heads, followed by their bodies dropped to the ground. Karasu had spun with her two wakizashis and beheaded them so quickly that they remained upright briefly before their severed heads dropped. She was Raven.

Time was of the essence, so she quickly checked around the corner to the street and flipped up to the nearest roof. She flew from roof to roof hoping to get to her car and back to the alley before the police showed up. On one of the roofs, she stopped momentarily to catch her breath and took a look down. Across the street, adjacent to the building she was standing on was Grammian! Grammian?! Wha... Then she looked at the address of the warehouse he was heading towards. It was the address he had written on his wrist. The one she had set out tonight to to check out as well. I'm going to have to check it later. I have no time!

She sprinted and flew from rooftop to rooftop until she got to her apartment building, ran down the stairs to the underground lot and got into her car. She had to make it back to the alley before the police.

Immediately after Karasu got into her Lambo, I guess my car does kind of stand out unfortunately she frowned, her cell phone rang. Only one person had the number. Her heart started pounding... "Zane! What is it!? Where are you?! I need info!"

Zane was cryptic as usual. "Someone else has been thrown into the mix. A sniper. Be prepared and on guard. Maybe you need some practice. It's been awhile. " …a click and the phone went dead.

Karasu had not done a long range snipe in years. She didn't really care for that type of hit. She was good at it. Never missed, but she never found it to be a challenge... knocking off someone so far away that you had to slow your heartbeat for the shot. She just did not like being that far away. It was efficient enough, but not her favorite. I guess I was born a few centuries too late., she sighed.

So am I supposed to find this sniper and take him out? Zane didn't give me enough information again! Am I in danger from this sniper? Or, most likely, is he here for Nicola, and if so, why?

She went with the latter. Karasu was now beginning to realize that Nicola was very important to some organization, and they were doing everything they could to eliminate him. Then it dawned on her, Nicola isn't my target! The mark or marks are someone or some people around him!

As clichéd as it sounds, this is some sort of conspiracy to shut Nicola up, regardless of his murders. This killer has something to say. And I'm damned well going to find him.

She had to get the man in the alley safe. This was her priority… not only for personal reasons, but also, he likely has info on Nicola that others don't… and this was the only person she trusted.

Tomorrow when she saw Grammian, Karasu decided to point blank get him to come clean. Perhaps tell him she knows what he does at night. How hypocritical, but whatever works. She NEEDED that information, but she didn’t like blackmail. She hoped they were on the same side of this situation. Maybe Grammian and I could exchange information on Nicola? I will find Nico. Grammian has to know that no matter what he finds out, Nico needs to be kept ALIVE! I must talk with Nico! He's the KEY!

In any case, Karasu couldn't shake the feeling that the stranger in the alley... the one she blindly trusted, was seeking the same goal somehow. Perhaps they could work together.

She drove as fast as she could, her destination... the alley...

Grammian always walked. He'd seen too many car crashes, and knew only too well how easy it was to engineer one. The sky above was overcast and grey, the sort of day that looked like the sun had decided to go away for a while and get a beer. As he came close to the building "Vincent" had requested he look in to, the sky finally let loose its torrent of rain, finally making good on its threats.

He stood on the street for a while, letting the rain soak his hair into a wet mass. People around him rushed for shelter. He had always liked the rain. It always came down in thick, ice cold sheets in the city. It helped him think.

The building was large and ominous, accented by the rainfall. It looked thoroughly unused, like it had been ignored for years. But something in the back of his head told him that was what he was expected to think. He checked the building for possible exits, then decided to go in. A quick look around, then he would head to meet some contacts. Get his client her information.

"It's all been moved. We left the cameras running just in case he comes back, and Gastwein is personally monitering them."

Luke set down the phone with a small smile for a reply. Excellent. This matter would all be behind him before long. The weapons were safely hidden in the unlikely event he went to anyone about them. Nico was hardwired for survival, he had seen to that personally. Luke's favorite creation and the first to survive such extreme genetic modifications had been unleashed too early, and his concept of free will had been badly underestimated.

A little misinformation went a long way to bring in outside help; The police, a hitman, and always others standing by just in case. They were all fed different versions of the truth to suit his purposes. The governemt was kept safely in the dark about the matter. Luke couldn't afford endangering their biomedical research contract. A severed tie there would mean he would have to disappoint his real clients. Lucky for him they rarely monitored his activities. Dead or alive, Nico wouldn't be a problem much longer.

Grammian's first impression of the building, when he came in out the rain, was much the same of what he had outside; abandoned. He stood silently in the area beyond the door he'd used to get in, looking around for anything. A few crates here and there, a couple of bins packed full of metal girders and wood, a CCTV camera or two.

He looked again at the cameras. It wasn't obvious whether they were on or not. More to the point, it wasn't obvious whether they were the real deal, or just the fake ones people bought to fool burglars.

He stepped closer to one camera, trying to tell whether it was real or not. He shrugged his shoulders and began to turn away, but as he did so he knocked over one of the bins. He moved too slowly to stop it from falling, and its contents made a sickeningly loud crash on the floor, emphasised by the silence in the building. Grammian cursed.

In a van down the block, Gastwein carefully monitered the cameras. He silently willed for Nicola to return. Dealing with him might smooth things over with the boss. He nibbled on a sandwich restlessly. Hours of staring at the same images did little to stave off an extreme case of boredom. He let his attention drift from time to time, nodding off for a minute or two here and there.

However a sudden motion on one of the camera instantly caught his attention. He scanned the image, certain he had seen something. Another camera picked it up this time as an unknown man stumbled around the building.

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

The man stared directly into the camera. Gastwein couldn't believe it. He captured a still shot of his face and electronically transferred it to HQ for identification and instructions. For now he would wait and watch. He took the little joystick in his hand, swiveling the camera to follow the man's movements.

Grammian realised that if there was anyone still here, they'd either have heard him making a racket or they could see him on the CCTV. It was time to play the lost delivery boy trick.

"Hello? Is anyone here? I've got a parcel here that needs signed for..." He shouted, his voice echoing eerily.

The crates were starting to make him suspicious. If the place was really abandoned, they should have been rotting to pieces. But some looked fresh... new almost. He moved over to one and started poking around it. There was definitely no rot there.

The guy looked lost. He'd have to be to end up in there. But Gastwein did not like him poking around, despite the fact that there was nothing to find. Without waiting for a call from HQ, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He stood in the confines of the van and changed into a police uniform. He did not quite conform to standards, but hey, it was dark. Who would notice?

Exiting the van, he tucked his pistol into the holster and strolled up to the makeshift warehouse. The door creaked as he opened it, and Gastwein summoned the most authoritative voice he could muster.

"Police. Somebody in here?"

Drawing his gun in one hand and a flashlight in the other, he shone the light around the room in search of this wayward stranger.

Immediately after Karasu got into her Lambo, I guess my car does kind of stand out unfortunately she frowned, her cell phone rang. Only one person had the number. Her heart started pounding... "Zane! What is it!? Where are you?! I need info!"

Zane was cryptic as usual. "Someone else has been thrown into the mix. A sniper. Be prepared and on guard. Maybe you need some practice. It's been awhile. " …a click and the phone went dead.

Karasu had not done a long range snipe in years. She didn't really care for that type of hit. She was good at it. Never missed, but she never found it to be a challenge... knocking off someone so far away that you had to slow your heartbeat for the shot. She just did not like being that far away. It was efficient enough, but not her favorite. I guess I was born a few centuries too late., she sighed.

So am I supposed to find this sniper and take him out? Zane didn't give me enough information again! Am I in danger from this sniper? Or, most likely, is he here for Nicola, and if so, why?

She went with the latter. Karasu was now beginning to realize that Nicola was very important to some organization, and they were doing everything they could to eliminate him. Then it dawned on her, Nicola isn't my target! The mark or marks are someone or some people around him!

As clichéd as it sounds, this is some sort of conspiracy to shut Nicola up, regardless of his murders. This killer has something to say. And I'm damned well going to find him.

She had to get the man in the alley safe. This was her priority… not only for personal reasons, but also, he likely has info on Nicola that others don't… and this was the only person she trusted.

Tomorrow when she saw Grammian, Karasu decided to point blank get him to come clean. Perhaps tell him she knows what he does at night. How hypocritical, but whatever works. She NEEDED that information, but she didn’t like blackmail. She hoped they were on the same side of this situation. Maybe Grammian and I could exchange information on Nicola? I will find Nico. Grammian has to know that no matter what he finds out, Nico needs to be kept ALIVE! I must talk with Nico! He's the KEY!

In any case, Karasu couldn't shake the feeling that the stranger in the alley... the one she blindly trusted, was seeking the same goal somehow. Perhaps they could work together.

She drove as fast as she could, her destination... the alley...

'......Andreus' He tasted the unfamiliar feeling of his own name on his tongue, it had been so long since he had had reson to use it he had forgotten it's sound. The woman left him hidden in the alley and for a while he sat in the new sensation. His name, charity, and he thought he saw sympathy in her eyes before she left.
She did not shy away- she saw me for what I am and did not fear it
He smiled happily and lost consciousness again

............
Artificial respitory system- partially obstructed
Left leg gyro- No system feedback
Internal organic damage- above tolerable levels
...............
The readout filtered into his consciousness and he opened his eyes to the dark alleyway. He tried to move his leg but it seemed not to want to comply with him, although it hurt far less...he looked down and saw the bandage
'Thank you maiden of the night' He murmered and paused to catch his laboured breath. He stood up using the wall for support, but distantly he could still hear police sirens
The police?
He tried to get his head together and his cortex implant gently guided some of his thoughts
Police- clarify feelings of anxiety He spoke into his thoughts
Armed forces- Currenly in search of self, optimum course of action points to not being detected
He crawled back under his hiding place till the sirens went away

The roads were a little slippery due to the rain. Karasu knew she would have to drive carefully so as not to be pulled over. In the past, the police had pulled her over for driving only one mile above the speed limit. They only wanted to get a good look at the interior of the vehicle. She couldn't blame them. It was beautiful. A black Lamborghini Countach. Unfortunately at this time she wanted to use all the car's muscle to drive as fast as she could to the alley. Time was of the essence, thus on the more deserted streets she floored it.

Driving at a moderate speed, Karasu reached down to the bag on the floor's passenger side and grabbed the Uzi she kept there and set in on the seat covered with piece of black cloth. Uzis. How tacky. These things always make me feel like I'm some sorta gangsta yo', she laughed aloud. Karasu realized she had not put on another cape and was still wearing her metal weapons. She was able to wear her weapons sitting down due to the special rotating hooks, and clamps that held her katanas. However this was irrelevant as she wouldn't be seen anyway.

Karasu used this few minutes to think a few things over. Grammian... I don't trust him. I'm not sure how I'm going to deal with him. Zane... Damn it! Why couldn't he sit down over coffee and explain things?

Zane had been her family’s contact since she was born. Before that, Zane’s father was her family’s contact. Karasu had no idea who HIS contacts were or how he got these jobs for her. The targets were usually high profile marks and very difficult hits. One was a ruthless dictator in a foreign country. Getting to him, hitting her mark, and getting out alive was the most difficult job she had ever taken. Nevertheless, she did it, anonymity intact. In fact no one had a clue as to who killed him. She smiled to herself. She was particularly proud of that job. The monster, her mark, was notorious as a sadistic bastard, whose name should have been "Human Rights Violator".

OK, where was I? Nicola... murderer, but more importantly, a man wanted dead by a lot of people. Kruschev must have information so sensitive and dangerous to someone or some organization that they are willing to do anything to shut him up. A situation like this always brought in many seemingly unrelated players. Nico is the key, so to speak. Trust him? No. Perhaps any information given by him may be reliable, however, considering the way he ripped out throats, this wasn't a man you turned your back on. The sniper... a no brainer... of course not. The police? Karasu had to restrain herself from going into a complete fit of laughter. Ixnay of course! As it stood, there was no one to trust, per usual. Wait, there was one person... Andreus. There was no reason whatsoever for Karasu to trust this stranger, but... she did.

When his name popped into her head, she snapped back to the task at hand, concentrating and keeping her eyes peeled. She took the same route back to the alley as she did to her apartment. When she passed the address Grammian was to check out, she saw nothing less than him entering the building. hmmmm.... She was looking forward to their meeting tomorrow. Of course she didn't have an appointment, but planned to show up when he was to receive that phone call.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Karasu pulled into the alley. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Andreus was still there and standing!

She swiftly jumped out of the car and ran up to Andreus, who was leaning against a wall. "Andreus you can stand!" Karasu took quick note of his wounds and saw that the bleeding had stopped. All that remained was to excise the slugs and stitch him up. "This will make all the difference in the world. We have to get out of here" she whispered as she opened the passenger door for him and pushed the seat back as far as it could go. "This won't be too comfortable I'm afraid. It isn't the roomiest vehicle in the world." Forgetting about the Uzi on the seat until that moment, Karasu grabbed it and put it on the floor on the driver's side. She wondered what he would think of this as well. All the weapons. She was a walking arsenal half the time and so were her cars and her home... Karasu helped usher him into the passenger side, got into the driver's seat and nearly flew down the alley.

"We'll be at my apartment in a flash." Karasu smiled at him. A real smile from deep within. She took note that, even under trying circumstances, it felt good to be with Andreus. A man all of society seemed to have rejected. A knot welled up in Karasu's chest and she fought back tears. A pity. Well, it's the rest of society's loss, but I know all the rejection must be terrible to live with. All because of his appearance.

Looking back at Andreus, the warm feeling returned. Karasu smiled again. Driving well enough to make sure she wasn't pulled over, she reached the apartment garage in no time. "Let me get that door for you" she said. Her parking spot was right next to the elevator... one of the perks of having the penthouse apartment. She also had a key that allowed her and only her to take the elevator right into her entrance hall. Another perk.

"Just a few steps to the elevator, and we can go straight up to my apartment with no stops." The elevator strained under Andreus' weight, but it was strong enough. Both of them knew instinctively not to speak in the elevator.

The elevator doors opened into her private entrance hall. After the entrance hall, and a series of locks and passwords a cryptologist would envy, the hall opened into her apartment. She held Andreus' arm, as if she could steady him if he fell. Instinct I guess... Karasu ushered him into the first door on the left.

It was a lavish bedroom... huge... lots of marble and plants, and, thankfully, a very large platform bed. Not knowing his weight, she was pretty sure that any normal mattress and box spring would not support him.

Karasu motioned for him to lie down.

"Andreus, I can treat the wounds to your flesh, however... any... cybernetic type damage, I don't know... ",her words trailed off.

"I also don't know what any of your... needs may be. Please tell me if there are any special foods you require. Also what you need to support or repair your alterations, and any other needs. I will do everything I can to get anything you need to repair your cybernetic parts."

She continued, "Andreus, you are welcome to stay in my home as long as you like. I ask only that you tell no one of my existence and never mention my name."

Karasu then remembered that Andreus witnessed her decapitate two men in the alley tonight. She looked away for a moment. I don't regret what I did. It was self defense, and considering the situation, it was the only option. It isn't as if she was trying to justify what she did. She didn’t feel she had to. She felt she did the right thing. She had surpassed the, “any hit for the right price”, stage long ago, and ethics had begun to take a place in deciding which hits to accept or reject long ago as well. She would no longer kill an innocent for ANY price.

I wonder what Andreus thinks I am? I’m sure he’s guessed. Does he think I'm a horrible person? Does he think I'm... evil? The thought made her shudder. One thing she was NOT was evil, even in her line of work. She was as tough and cold as any other assassin, maybe more so. However, she felt that something inside her, outside of her work, was changing.

Prior to going to get her medical supplies, looking him in the eyes, she again held Andreus' metal hand between hers. It made her feel... so many things. All of them wonderful and unexplainable. She could not help but smile at him.

"I'm going to go get some medical and surgical equipment. I won't be but a minute. If you need anything else, blankets, water, food, anything, don't hesitate to ask. Right now the first priority is to get those slugs out and your wounds cleaned, then you can tell me what else you need or would like." Karasu reluctantly set his metal hand down. She continued to smile at him as she turned to exit the room. If only I could make him feel as wonderful as he makes me feel. She set off to get the supplies pondering what else an injured cybernetic man might need.

Karasu then remembered she would be dropping by Grammian’s office tomorrow, and what time to be there. She also made a mental note to ask Andreus, when he was feeling better of course, what happened tonight, and what he knew about Nico and this whole situation.

Grammian heard the door opening and saw the beam of the flashlight illuminate parts of the building near him. He heard the man shout that he was with the police. He didn't believe him, of course, but it showed that the building still had someone using it.

He poked his head around some boxes, into the beam of the flashlight. "Yeah, hello. I was supposed to make a delivery here, but there's no one around. Can you help me?"

He carefully gripped the pistol on the inside of his coat.

"Delivery? Sir, this building is condemned. I'm gonna have to ask you to leave."

The gun was out as a precaution. He did not intend to use it unless absolutely necessary, and tried to portray the sentiment through his body language.

"Come on down here and let's get you out safe and sound. This isn't the most stable building anymore."

Grammian grumbled about the number of hoax deliveries he'd made in his time, while approaching the "police officer". The investigation into the building hadn't been a total failure; he now knew that the building was being used for something and someone didn't want him poking around inside it.

He kept a grip of his pistol all the same.

The roads were a little slippery due to the rain. Karasu knew she would have to drive carefully so as not to be pulled over. In the past, the police had pulled her over for driving only one mile above the speed limit. They only wanted to get a good look at the interior of the vehicle. She couldn't blame them. It was beautiful. A black Lamborghini Countach. Unfortunately at this time she wanted to use all the car's muscle to drive as fast as she could to the alley. Time was of the essence, thus on the more deserted streets she floored it.

Driving at a moderate speed, Karasu reached down to the bag on the floor's passenger side and grabbed the Uzi she kept there and set in on the seat covered with piece of black cloth. Uzis. How tacky. These things always make me feel like I'm some sorta gangsta yo', she laughed aloud. Karasu realized she had not put on another cape and was still wearing her metal weapons. She was able to wear her weapons sitting down due to the special rotating hooks, and clamps that held her katanas. However this was irrelevant as she wouldn't be seen anyway.

Karasu used this few minutes to think a few things over. Grammian... I don't trust him. I'm not sure how I'm going to deal with him. Zane... Damn it! Why couldn't he sit down over coffee and explain things?

Zane had been her family’s contact since she was born. Before that, Zane’s father was her family’s contact. Karasu had no idea who HIS contacts were or how he got these jobs for her. The targets were usually high profile marks and very difficult hits. One was a ruthless dictator in a foreign country. Getting to him, hitting her mark, and getting out alive was the most difficult job she had ever taken. Nevertheless, she did it, anonymity intact. In fact no one had a clue as to who killed him. She smiled to herself. She was particularly proud of that job. The monster, her mark, was notorious as a sadistic bastard, whose name should have been "Human Rights Violator".

OK, where was I? Nicola... murderer, but more importantly, a man wanted dead by a lot of people. Kruschev must have information so sensitive and dangerous to someone or some organization that they are willing to do anything to shut him up. A situation like this always brought in many seemingly unrelated players. Nico is the key, so to speak. Trust him? No. Perhaps any information given by him may be reliable, however, considering the way he ripped out throats, this wasn't a man you turned your back on. The sniper... a no brainer... of course not. The police? Karasu had to restrain herself from going into a complete fit of laughter. Ixnay of course! As it stood, there was no one to trust, per usual. Wait, there was one person... Andreus. There was no reason whatsoever for Karasu to trust this stranger, but... she did.

When his name popped into her head, she snapped back to the task at hand, concentrating and keeping her eyes peeled. She took the same route back to the alley as she did to her apartment. When she passed the address Grammian was to check out, she saw nothing less than him entering the building. hmmmm.... She was looking forward to their meeting tomorrow. Of course she didn't have an appointment, but planned to show up when he was to receive that phone call.

Finally, after what seemed an eternity, Karasu pulled into the alley. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Andreus was still there and standing!

She swiftly jumped out of the car and ran up to Andreus, who was leaning against a wall. "Andreus you can stand!" Karasu took quick note of his wounds and saw that the bleeding had stopped. All that remained was to excise the slugs and stitch him up. "This will make all the difference in the world. We have to get out of here" she whispered as she opened the passenger door for him and pushed the seat back as far as it could go. "This won't be too comfortable I'm afraid. It isn't the roomiest vehicle in the world." Forgetting about the Uzi on the seat until that moment, Karasu grabbed it and put it on the floor on the driver's side. She wondered what he would think of this as well. All the weapons. She was a walking arsenal half the time and so were her cars and her home... Karasu helped usher him into the passenger side, got into the driver's seat and nearly flew down the alley.

"We'll be at my apartment in a flash." Karasu smiled at him. A real smile from deep within. She took note that, even under trying circumstances, it felt good to be with Andreus. A man all of society seemed to have rejected. A knot welled up in Karasu's chest and she fought back tears. A pity. Well, it's the rest of society's loss, but I know all the rejection must be terrible to live with. All because of his appearance.

Looking back at Andreus, the warm feeling returned. Karasu smiled again. Driving well enough to make sure she wasn't pulled over, she reached the apartment garage in no time. "Let me get that door for you" she said. Her parking spot was right next to the elevator... one of the perks of having the penthouse apartment. She also had a key that allowed her and only her to take the elevator right into her entrance hall. Another perk.

"Just a few steps to the elevator, and we can go straight up to my apartment with no stops." The elevator strained under Andreus' weight, but it was strong enough. Both of them knew instinctively not to speak in the elevator.

The elevator doors opened into her private entrance hall. After the entrance hall, and a series of locks and passwords a cryptologist would envy, the hall opened into her apartment. She held Andreus' arm, as if she could steady him if he fell. Instinct I guess... Karasu ushered him into the first door on the left.

It was a lavish bedroom... huge... lots of marble and plants, and, thankfully, a very large platform bed. Not knowing his weight, she was pretty sure that any normal mattress and box spring would not support him.

Karasu motioned for him to lie down.

"Andreus, I can treat the wounds to your flesh, however... any... cybernetic type damage, I don't know... ",her words trailed off.

"I also don't know what any of your... needs may be. Please tell me if there are any special foods you require. Also what you need to support or repair your alterations, and any other needs. I will do everything I can to get anything you need to repair your cybernetic parts."

She continued, "Andreus, you are welcome to stay in my home as long as you like. I ask only that you tell no one of my existence and never mention my name."

Karasu then remembered that Andreus witnessed her decapitate two men in the alley tonight. She looked away for a moment. I don't regret what I did. It was self defense, and considering the situation, it was the only option. It isn't as if she was trying to justify what she did. She didn’t feel she had to. She felt she did the right thing. She had surpassed the, “any hit for the right price”, stage long ago, and ethics had begun to take a place in deciding which hits to accept or reject long ago as well. She would no longer kill an innocent for ANY price.

I wonder what Andreus thinks I am? I’m sure he’s guessed. Does he think I'm a horrible person? Does he think I'm... evil? The thought made her shudder. One thing she was NOT was evil, even in her line of work. She was as tough and cold as any other assassin, maybe more so. However, she felt that something inside her, outside of her work, was changing.

Prior to going to get her medical supplies, looking him in the eyes, she again held Andreus' metal hand between hers. It made her feel... so many things. All of them wonderful and unexplainable. She could not help but smile at him.

"I'm going to go get some medical and surgical equipment. I won't be but a minute. If you need anything else, blankets, water, food, anything, don't hesitate to ask. Right now the first priority is to get those slugs out and your wounds cleaned, then you can tell me what else you need or would like." Karasu reluctantly set his metal hand down. She continued to smile at him as she turned to exit the room. If only I could make him feel as wonderful as he makes me feel. She set off to get the supplies pondering what else an injured cybernetic man might need.

Karasu then remembered she would be dropping by Grammian’s office tomorrow, and what time to be there. She also made a mental note to ask Andreus, when he was feeling better of course, what happened tonight, and what he knew about Nico and this whole situation.

'I....thank you' He sat nervously in the room. Surley noone was doing this out of charity? Not to him. But somthing was different about this woman. She seemed innocent, but the evidence of her decapitation pointed to the opposite conclusion. Now he wan't a man who prided himself on knowing the quality of a person by thier handshake, but he knew the look in her eyes. She was trying to help him but he couldn't work out why. Was it really just sympathy and charity?
But.....when she held his hand in hers.....he had never felt that before. It was strange, he had lived away from other humans for so long it he had forgotten what it felt like to be with another person. He took a look at the hand where she had touched it and fingered the print she had left on the shining surface
She is innocent yet not, tender yet used to an emotionless state
He looked down at his wounds. She really had done a good job with them. He pulled out a set of small tools and began patching up his wiring in his leg, the shoulder would heal on its own. He wanted to get out of here as soon as he could. She was a wonderful woman, but he could not put her at risk by staying for long

OOC: Sorry guys. I wasn't sure about the info thing. Also, my posts will be shorter. :) When I get to it, I will likely edit some of my other posts.

IC: Karasu removed the medical instruments she would use to excise the two slugs from Andreus. Reaching his room, she found him asleep. This is perfect. I don't have to wake him. I can do this under a local and he can continue his sleep. She made quick work w/the local anesthetic, the excision, cleansing, and stitching of his two wounds and put on fresh sterile bandages. Andreus never woke up. He must be exhausted. She put a blanket over him, shut out the lights to let him sleep, and closed the door.

Before she had time enough to sit down with a cup of tea and relax, her cell rang. "Talk to me" Karasu said.

Of course, it was Zane. "I'm at your elevator, let me up." Karasu gave him access. He better have some more info for me. In fact, I will demand it. This is ridiculous. She was getting sick of this.

After letting him in, she put her finger to her lips, and told him to be quiet, that someone was ill and sleeping in another room.

"Understood" Zane replied.

Karasu led Zane into a quiet, relaxing sitting room, and motioned for him to sit down. He sat down oddly on the floor, on one side of a coffee table, and pulled a piece of paper from his trench coat. "Do you have a pencil?" Karasu handed him a pencil from a nearby desk as he motioned for her to sit next to him.

"I have a bit of info, he said quietly." Zane was always extremely cautious. Weren't we all? He was aware that it was nearly impossible to bug her apartment due to some advanced electronics that he himself, had given her, however, he continued the habit even here. Nevertheless, Zane insisted on whispering and, going even further, writing information on paper and not speaking much at all.

Karasu watched as he wrote:

--Keep Nicola Kruschev alive--trust NO ONE--no SPECIFIC marks yet--
--hit anyone who tries to kill him--

He added: --AND KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE!!'

Zane then handed the piece of paper to Karasu and looked at her with some concern.

Karasu looked up at him. "That's it? Where is he?"

Zane shook his head and whispered in her ear, "This is all the info I received from my contact." Zane stood up and brushed himself off. "I must leave now. I'll be in touch. Keep your cell with you." He then whispered in her ear, "I know how you love your traditional weapons, but this is neither the time nor place."

Zane stood up and headed for the door. There would be no conversation. When they reached the door, put his hands softly on her shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. He stood a moment and looked at her. She knew by the stern look in his eyes that this was a very serious situation. Zane turned toward the door, entered the elevator and was gone.

How do I find Nico?

Maybe Grammian can really find him for me. I should get to that warehouse..

'I....thank you' He sat nervously in the room. Sureley noone was doing this out of charity? Not to him. But something was different about this woman. She seemed innocent, but the evidence of her decapitation pointed to the opposite conclusion. Now he wan't a man who prided himself on knowing the quality of a person by thier handshake, but he knew the look in her eyes. She was trying to help him but he couldn't work out why. Was it really just sympathy and charity?
But.....when she held his hand in hers.....he had never felt that before. It was strange, he had lived away from other humans for so long it he had forgotten what it felt like to be with another person. He took a look at the hand where she had touched it and fingered the print she had left on the shining surface
She is innocent yet not, tender yet used to an emotionless state
He looked down at his wounds. She really had done a good job with them. He pulled out a set of small tools and began patching up his wiring in his leg, the shoulder would heal on its own. He wanted to get out of here as soon as he could. She was a wonderful woman, but he could not put her at risk by staying for long

Karasu decided to check on Andreus. She slowly opened the door and was surprised to find him awake and working on his own leg... It really was an awesome sight. She stuffed the piece of paper into her pocket. "I see you're awake, Andreus", she smiled, genuinely happy to be in his presence again.

She felt uncomfortable but had to ask. "Andreus, forgive my intrusion, but may I ask what it was you were doing in the morgue, and why the police were after you?" Karasu took a long breath and exhaled loudly. She looked directly at him and continued, "I am also looking for some information from that is in that morgue." She remembered Zane's warning...Don't trust ANYONE. In her opinion it didn't apply to Andreus. "I think we could help each other by sharing information."

"I'll extend myself first, I guess." Karasu walked to the bed, kneeled down, and took the screwdriver from his hand. She needed to hold his hand. It relaxed her. She held his hand to her face, took another deep breath and looked him in the eyes. She stated point blank, "I'm an assassin." She looked down shamefully and somewhat teary eyed. Why do I feel like this? She looked back up. "I just want you to know I do not kill innocents...deep breath, anymore. I have seen you kill, and you have seen me kill. I don't think either of us were in the wrong. In fact, the situations were nearly identical. I will explain more about myself later, if you wish. I want to know more about you as well. How you became altered and why...It's none of my business and if you don't want to tell me, it's OK. I don't... I don't want..." her words trailed off.

Karasu didn't look up. Holding his comforting metal hand against her face, she realized that tears were running down his hand. Her tears. She only held on tighter and for the first time in her life, she cried. Embarrassed, she tried to pull his hand away but could not let go. She didn’t think she was capable of crying like this. These were the tears locked away for many years... and she cried even more for Andreus’ sad existence. It truly hurt her to know how he lived. What is it about Andreus? She had been asking herself that since the day she first saw him.

Finally she was able to pull his hand away. She began wiping the tears off his hand with one of hers and her face with another. "I.. I.. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." She gave him a small smile. "I'm not usually like this." I'm NEVER like this.

"What I meant to ask was, well... After the morgue incident tonight, it occured to me. Are you looking for Nicola Kruschev, too?"

"I'm sorry to have dumped all this on you while you're recovering. It was quite inconsiderate of me, Andreus. Don't bother answering any questions now. You need your rest" Karasu said, feeling quite rude interrupting his rest. How selfish. It's just that I so badly want to know everything about Andreus. And I must know if he is looking for Nico as well. If so, if, he would work with me, it would be mutually advantageous. I hope he decides to stay here. That is, unless my assumptions are incorrect. I don’t want to put him in any danger by having him stay here. There is no way I’ll let him live on the streets. I have money to burn. I could get him an apartment, give him some cash… no strings. If we’re both looking for Nico, I hope he will stay here…

OOC: Thank you.

IC:
"That's a way.."

Gastwein remained stonefaced, carefully escorting the lost man out of the building. But before stepping aside to let him out the door, a thought occured to him. He took on a conversational tone to avoid suspicion.

"You must've had to walk quite a ways. I didn't see your truck parked out on the street. Shame really what these kids will do for kicks. Hope your employer won't be too upset."

Zion finished pressing the last of the hand-loaded rounds with a barely audible sigh of annoyance. It was nearly impossible to find decent ammunition these days, at least at a price he could afford. The fifty steel-jacketed thrity-caliber magnum rounds sat ominously atop their aluminum casings. Brass was crude in Zion's opinion, not to mention shiny. The bullets themselves where teflon-coated, giving them a sinister matte-gray coloration. Typically it was an illegal way to make cheap cop-killers, rounds that penetrated Kevlar, but a .300 WinMag never had such trouble, Zion just liked the look more than anything...

With the light of day fading it was time for him to do a bit of advance recon before he could make use of his new ammo. The sniper slid the M96 from the table into a shoulder rig before covering it with a black & yellow Land's End skiing parka. As an afterthought, he pulled the handgun & chambered a round. The news had spoken of a streak of violent muggings & the like, and it never hurt to be prepared. Speaking of prepareadness, Peter hooked the sheath of a Gerber MkII under the handgun holster. The opposite side, under his right arm, held a trio of spare magazines loaded with forty-caliber Winchester Black Talons, an especially lethal breed of hollowpoint rounds. The custom-built WA2000 was tucked securely away in a fingerprint sensetive rifle case, for safe keeping.

Loaded for bear, the sniper exited his temporary residence, carefully securing the claymore anti-personnel mine in front of the balcony sliding door in the event someone tried to enter from that direction. The front door was secured with a set of four deadbolts he'd installed the night before. Tugging the parka closer around himself, the mercenary stepped off into the street, taking note of an odd scene across from him. The apartment building faced a warehouse of advanced age, but for some reason a police officer was leading an older man out the front doors...

'That's f**ked up... Fuzz-boy is lacking a radio or the department-issue sidearm I've seen the rest of these donut-dippers packing...'

His emerald gaze shifted to the older man in the jacket...

'Obviously packing something that'll put a nice hole in someone, surprising the cop hasn't asked about it yet, if he's a cop at all... Wait a hot second... That old bastard is Grammian... Sonuvabitch!'

Zion exclaimed mentally as the photo he'd seen a week earlier registered in his mind's eye. The eyepatch had thrown him, but it was to be expected after loosing an eye to a letter opener. The private detective/hitman was priority number one, with the Kruschev contract as a bounty of opportunity. It disgusted Peter that they'd brought him in to clean up after a government agency that was supposed to be made up of the baddest motherf**kers this piss-ant nation had to offer. The CIA had never called him...

'They handle their shit themselves, just look at Kennedy...'

As a member of the fraternity of snipers, Zion had great respect for the guys who'd made those shots, minus the ignorant bastard who missed the car entirely & peppered a civie with fragments. The guy who'd made the killshot had partly influenced his ultimate decision about his military forte.

Now that he had an updated look at his first mark, all he had to do was find a suitable location to set up his nest...

Grammian stopped. The "police man" was asking questions. He didn't like questions. Questions lead to answers. Answers lead to truth. And the truth often lead to a lot of bodies for the morgue.

He turned to face the questioner.

"I'm an old man, really. The exercise is what's keeping me from retirement. I can't really afford to retire, not yet. Besides, the costs for petrol are astronomical just now. I'd spend just about all my money from a delivery on refueling."

That's it, old man. Play the senile act. No one needs to get killed here, not now.

Zion continued to watch the conversation at a safe distance, taking careful note of the body-language of both involved persons...

Karasu decided to check on Andreus. She slowly opened the door and was surprised to find him awake and working on his own leg... It really was an awesome sight. She stuffed the piece of paper into her pocket. "I see you're awake, Andreus", she smiled, genuinely happy to be in his presence again.

She felt uncomfortable but had to ask. "Andreus, forgive my intrusion, but may I ask what it was you were doing in the morgue, and why the police were after you?" Karasu took a long breath and exhaled loudly. She looked directly at him and continued, "I am also looking for some information from that is in that morgue." She remembered Zane's warning...Don't trust ANYONE. In her opinion it didn't apply to Andreus. "I think we could help each other by sharing information."

"I'll extend myself first, I guess." Karasu walked to the bed, kneeled down, and took the screwdriver from his hand. She needed to hold his hand. It relaxed her. She held his hand to her face, took another deep breath and looked him in the eyes. She stated point blank, "I'm an assassin." She looked down shamefully and somewhat teary eyed. Why do I feel like this? She looked back up. "I just want you to know I do not kill innocents...deep breath, anymore. I have seen you kill, and you have seen me kill. I don't think either of us were in the wrong. In fact, the situations were nearly identical. I will explain more about myself later, if you wish. I want to know more about you as well. How you became altered and why...It's none of my business and if you don't want to tell me, it's OK. I don't... I don't want..." her words trailed off.

Karasu didn't look up. Holding his comforting metal hand against her face, she realized that tears were running down his hand. Her tears. She only held on tighter and for the first time in her life, she cried. Embarrassed, she tried to pull his hand away but could not let go. She didn’t think she was capable of crying like this. These were the tears locked away for many years... and she cried even more for Andreus’ sad existence. It truly hurt her to know how he lived. What is it about Andreus? She had been asking herself that since the day she first saw him.

Finally she was able to pull his hand away. She began wiping the tears off his hand with one of hers and her face with another. "I.. I.. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me." She gave him a small smile. "I'm not usually like this." I'm NEVER like this.

"What I meant to ask was, well... After the morgue incident tonight, it occured to me. Are you looking for Nicola Kruschev, too?"

OOC: Arg! Too fast posting! :p

IC:

Andreus drew his finger away and looked at the tears shed onto its shining surface. He delicatly rubbed the salty liquid between two fingers and tilted his head
'You cry......' He looked up
'Please....I did not mean to insult you in any way. Noone, noone has shed a tear for me in years. Not even myself.' He said quietly. He took the hem of his robe and wiped her tears away, quite softly, belying the look of his awkward hands
'Do not cry. Such sadness....should not be bourne by one person. I know this from experience' He twitched aside his hood and let her look upon his face fully in the light. His true eye was looking on at her with a caring expression.
'I am in search of a man known as Nico too. For what I do not know....but I must meet with him. Are you in search of the same such man?' He stared at her for a second and came to a desciscion. Such kindness deserved recognition
'This?' He took hold of her hand and placed it on his metallic plate covering the left half of his face
'It is my penance. For the crime I commited years ago. Years ago I was little better than any one of those men taking advantage of that woman. Perhaps worse' He shivered
'I was the leader of a gang. One day another gang moved into our area....of course this could not have been tolerated. We jumped them during the night, but we did not know they had guns. They killed the entire gang. It was my fault. I had led them to thier death. I was bareley alive when a vicar found me. He took me to the church, and with the aid of a friend into cybernetic research, fixed me. He stayed with me for days in prayer, and in that time god found me. He showed me the error of my ways and in that moment I promised to repay for each one of those lives I had thrown away for no purpouse.' He moved her hand down to his chest
'A cybernetic lung' He moved it to his hand
'A cybernetic arm and a hand metallic cover graft' He placed it on his leg
'A robotic leg' Then to the side of his head
'Cortex and a retinal implant, along with a cybernetic eye. And....'
He placed her hand in the centre of his chest
'A partially repaired heart. They are all to remind me of what I have done. Every day.' He looked down at the floor

OOC: Last long post! I had to rearrange for chronology and add some together... sorry!



OOC: Arg! Too fast posting! :p

IC:

Andreus drew his finger away and looked at the tears shed onto its shining surface. He delicatly rubbed the salty liquid between two fingers and tilted his head
'You cry......' He looked up
'Please....I did not mean to insult you in any way. Noone, noone has shed a tear for me in years. Not even myself.' He said quietly. He took the hem of his robe and wiped her tears away, quite softly, belying the look of his awkward hands
'Do not cry. Such sadness....should not be bourne by one person. I know this from experience' He twitched aside his hood and let her look upon his face fully in the light. His true eye was looking on at her with a caring expression.
'I am in search of a man known as Nico too. For what I do not know....but I must meet with him. Are you in search of the same such man?' He stared at her for a second and came to a desciscion. Such kindness deserved recognition
'This?' He took hold of her hand and placed it on his metallic plate covering the left half of his face
'It is my penance. For the crime I commited years ago. Years ago I was little better than any one of those men taking advantage of that woman. Perhaps worse' He shivered
'I was the leader of a gang. One day another gang moved into our area....of course this could not have been tolerated. We jumped them during the night, but we did not know they had guns. They killed the entire gang. It was my fault. I had led them to thier death. I was bareley alive when a vicar found me. He took me to the church, and with the aid of a friend into cybernetic research, fixed me. He stayed with me for days in prayer, and in that time god found me. He showed me the error of my ways and in that moment I promised to repay for each one of those lives I had thrown away for no purpouse.' He moved her hand down to his chest
'A cybernetic lung' He moved it to his hand
'A cybernetic arm and a hand metallic cover graft' He placed it on his leg
'A robotic leg' Then to the side of his head
'Cortex and a retinal implant, along with a cybernetic eye. And....'
He placed her hand in the centre of his chest
'A partially repaired heart. They are all to remind me of what I have done. Every day.' He looked down at the floor

Karasu, gently put her hand on the side of his face. "Do not look down." Tears started welling up in her eyes again. "I... I'm sorry... the tears just seem to flow uncontrollably. Andreus, I don't remember every crying at any time in my life." She tried to get a hold of herself so she could speak clearly. She looked clearly into both his eyes, noting the expression in his real eye. "I am so sorry for what happened to you and for your loss... Words can never express that type of sympathy. Words are just not enough. It's a helpless feeling." She paused. "However, your friends that died went with you willingly. You needn't take full responsibility for their deaths."

Karasu continued. "It is wonderful that you such good fortune shone upon you back then, although I think you may not see it as good fortune." She continued, "It isn't every day that a nearly dead person is found by a vicar, with a friend into cybernetic technology so advanced that you were able to be saved. I never knew such technology existed. Most people don’t. And here you are." Karasu smiled at Andreus, as she stroked his cheek with her fingers.

Then the tears welled up a bit, but she choked them back to continue. "Andreus, I don't understand why people treat you the way they do. I know it hurts you. When I saw the incident in the alley that night, the way the woman whose life you SAVED, treated you... I just can’t understand. Yes you look different... perhaps even startling… but your appearance is nothing more than technology that saved a dying man. The cybernetics don’t change your humanity in any way. You should not have to cover your face and avoid people. It isn't right that you’re so alone. And you don't have to be." She looked down, held his hand tight, and, sounding like a little child, quietly whispered, "I'll be your friend."

Silence filled the room for a moment. Karasu was embarrassed and shocked at what she just said, and, for someone who never once in her gave a shit about rejection by anyone, was afraid he would reject her. It was a new feeling and it was uncomfortable. Karasu felt a real connection to Andreus... more so than with anyone, ever. His very existence was affecting her in ways she did not quite understand.

Karasu cleared her throat and stared at her fingers on his face. "I think it's quite noble of you to commit yourself to penance... and the more often we meet, the more you impress me. However, you can’t hold this guilt on your shoulders forever. You’re beating yourself up a bit too much.”

She paused a moment and stroked his metal hand. Karasu looked Andreus in the eyes and went on. I admire your commitment. You are so selfless. You possess qualities that so many strive for but can never reach. I would think many people would want to be around you, regardless oft the way you look. You're a rare human being. And I don't mean your appearance."

She held his hand again. "As for Nico… I am also looking for Nicola Kruschev. You are also looking for him, but don't know why? That is interesting. I would like to talk to you more about that later. In my case, I need to find him and possibly talk with him. Actually, I have been given me the task of keeping him alive.” She took another deep breath. “That would include eliminating anyone who tries to kill him.” Karasu didn’t seem to see any negative judgment in Andreus’ eyes. She was relieved. “I don’t even know where he is. He is a wanted man, being a multiple murderer, but there is some reason that he needs to remain alive. That is about all I know. I have a little more random information than that, and I hope we can exchange information. We should be able to find him more quickly that way. Unfortunately, I do have to leave for a while now… actually, to follow a potential lead... or a lead to a lead." She laughed at that.

"You get some rest and I'll check on you a little later. We can talk more about all of this tomorrow, or when I get back", she smiled and walked out the door. Amazing... What an amazingly wonderful man... Andreus...

Now back to work. Karasu walked to a large storage room in the back of her apartment. At first glance, it looked like a walk in closet, but further in it became an arsenal, with just about every weapon ever made. She pondered her situation as she chose the guns and other weapons she would take with her. She would keep some of the older weapons on as well. They didn't interfere when she needed to reach any of the weapons she was strapping on, and they had been lifesaving in the past.. When she finished she stood with a multitude of guns, grenades, and small bombs, along with some other useful items. Karasu hid some of the items in her cloak, however most were on her belt. She was used to having weapons around the entire belt, so she was able to carry more and reach them easily... even the ones in back.

As Andreus rested, Karasu, dressed all in black, tied the black cloth around her face, covering her ponytail of braids, as well as covering her eyes with black nylon. The Raven. She exited her apartment through the roof. She moved gracefully from roof to roof. Her destination: The warehouse she saw Grammian enter earlier.

Finally, Karasu reached the roof of the building across from the warehouse. She landed gracefully and silently, and immediately lay down. She blended in perfectly as the roof was black. Karasu had THE perfect view of the warehouse and the entire street. She scanned the street taking in everything she saw. Nothing unusual so far. I wonder if Grammian is still in the building?

Not wanting to run into him, she thought it best to wait it out on the roof for a while. As she was scanning her surroundings, Karasu caught sight of a man exiting a van parked down the street. He looked like a police officer; however, the vehicle was not a police vehicle. Perhaps he's on surveillance. Karasu pulled a tiny pair of binoculars from her cape and took a good look at the man. His uniform was not standard issue. The obvious conclusion, He’s a fake..

Karasu then focused her binoculars on the van. She mentally noted the license plate number. Now she had another reason to just 'show up' at Grammian's office tomorrow. She would ask him to run the plate for her.

Her eyes followed the phony cop as entered the warehouse. Most interesting, she thought, and wondered if Grammian was still inside.

What seemed like eons later, the 'cop' and Grammian exited the building. Karasu watched their conversation. I’m sure each knows the other is lying. She couldn't hear them, so she scanned up and down the street again. Wait a minute... what's this?!

On her side of the street stood a man in a parka watching Grammian and the fake cop...

"Seems like the average retirement age is getting pushed farther and farther back these days, eh?"

Gastwein smiled a crocodile's smile and stepped aside to allow the older man passage before following him out and sealing the door behind them.

"You stay safe sir, and have a good night. And watch out for those damn kids and their prank calls."

He took his leave then and continued on his "patrol," walking down the block and away from his vehicle. He'd circle the block and come back to it presently, but only when he was certain he was not being followed. With a sigh he holstered the weapon, wishing he'd brought along the Glock .22 today instead of the Beretta. Mentally he prepared himself for the call he would have to make. Too many things didn't add up here.

----

Nico was prepared before he stepped foot in the lobby of Artemis. A night watchman regarded him strangely but said nothing as he strode purposefully to the elevator, flashing an ID card he'd picked from a lab technician out in the parking lot. He had dyed his hair a white-blonde, which would have to do for now. They wouldn't expect him here. Not yet. He was nearly sure of it.

On the 12th floor, he stepped out and glanced down both ends of the long marble hallway. Nothing out of the ordinary here for a research organization. A quick search of a few rooms revealed only superficial testing. Mice and rats undergoing disease resistance and treatment. Nothing special. At the end of the hall he found a locked door which was much harder to crack than the others had been. It had some sort of special lock built in which he could not identify. Down the hall, he could hear the elevator chiming as it neared this floor. Could hear it slowing. If they saw him there would be questions he could not answer. And even if he could, there would always be certain tell-tale signs..

Low on the wall beside him was the grate covering to an airduct register. Quickly and quietly, he pulled it off and climbed inside. The elvator doors opened. Voices spoke quietly to the stacatto of rubber soles against the marble.

"He came up here."

Dammit.

Grammian waved goodbye to the "policeman", memorising his badge number as he did so, and headed off to the police station, to get his client her information.

--

He thanked his contact at the police station, Tommy, and put the files on the recent murders into his jacket inside pocket.

"Listen, Tommy, I need another favour. Could you look up a badge number for me?"

"I guess so. What is it?"

"18-96-22."

"I can tell you right now that that's not a real badge." Grammian raised an eyebrow. "The latest badges to be made are only up to '18-95'. We haven't started the '18-96' ones yet."

Grammian made a mental note. His investigation into the warehouse "Vincent" had bade him to look into had turned up nothing but blanks. Suspicious blanks, but blanks nonetheless. He thanked Tommy and left the station, heading for the council building to find permit or contract for the warehouse. At least that way he'd have a name.

Karasu alternately watched the man in the parka, and the Grammian/ 'cop' exchange. The man in the parka did not move. He was clearly watching the situation across the street as well. Who could this man be? Could it be Nico?! Would he have the balls to blatantly stand on the street and watch? And if so it was not Nico, why would he be interested in what was going on over there anyway? Surely Nico wouldn't put himself at such risk.she concluded…. And then there was the possibility that the 'cop' was trying to hit Nico. Every suspicious person was a possible threat. Karasu loved her traditional weapons, but Zane was right. She felt a little safer knowing her Sig-Sauer P229 SW.40 was within easy reach.

Karasu was well trained with guns and had many… but she felt like a dinosaur, preferring her katanas. Yep... born too late.

In any case, this man’s face could not be seen due to the hood of his parka. Damn! Karasu realized she couldn't walk by to see his face due to her appearance, as well as the fact that Grammian was right across the street. She still didn't think it could be Nico.

Zane really stuck me with tough one this time. Keeping alive a man whose whereabouts are unknown! She knew she would be well compensated. She always was, but as usual, she really didn’t care about that anymore. This was her life and that was all there was to it. Her mind then wandered a bit as to the 'whys' of all of this. Nico had information vital to someone, but what information? she pondered. Karasu knew the information was extremely important, or Zane would not have instructed her to eliminate anyone who tries to kill him. Anyone. To her that meant a strong possibility of multiple targets...including the police.

In any case, whether or not the man is or isn’t Nico, he's still another lead.

Just her luck. Grammian and the 'cop' were going their separate ways, Grammian in one direction, and the other man the opposite to the van. Which one should I follow, or should I check out the warehouse? And then there was the man in the parka. Four lead at the moment. Shit! I need clones. she chuckled to herself, while trying to decide what to do.

I'll see Grammian tomorrow and have him run the license plate. Probably a waste of time and no useful result, but at least she had a reason to drop in at his office unannounced rather than wait for him to call with the results of her requests... and she knew exactly what time she would show up. No point in following Grammian. The man in the parka wasn't moving, and the 'cop' had already entered the van.

Karasu decided she would stay and watch the warehouse for a while longer to see if anyone else showed up. If all were clear, including the man in the parka being gone, she would check out the warehouse.

Nico practically held his breath as one set of footsteps continued in his direction. The soft tapping was ominous as death in the hushed hall. The man was wearing a dark Armani suit and shoes polished to a high gloss. He flashed his ID card past a hidden sensor which revealed a keypad built into the wall. Nico memorized the numbers he punched in for later use. With a mechanical sound, the door slid open and closed again quickly once this man crossed the threshold.

Nico crept out of his hiding place silently. At the end of the hall, the night watchman from before was checking rooms. Nico slipped into a lab silently and donned a white lab coat. The mice in their cages squeaked softly in the darkened lab. He glanced at the cages on his way to a file cabinet near some shelving at the back of the room. Each cage had a code on it, a simple string of numbers not unlike the ones branded into his arm.

"What are you doing?" The voice behind him was somewhat uncertain in the doorway.

"They need to be vaccinated every 7 hours," came Nico's simple reply without turning to face the man.

He looked at the cage in front of him. 3-278. He found drawer number 3 beneath the stacks of cages and pulled it open slowly.

"Vaccinated against what?"

"It's all part of the resistance research. If you're that interested, read about it in the files."

The man took a few steps closer as Nico withdrew a vial from slot number 278 in the drawer and a syringe. The vial contained an amber liquid of unknown composition. He pretended to fill the syringe with the liquid and pulled the mouse from its cage. The guard had drawn closer, so he injected the mouse and discreetly refilled the syringe with air.

"I really must ask you to leave the lab," Nico warned, setting the mouse back in its cage.

"I think you need to come with me."

The stranger grabbed Nico by the shoulder, and Nico spun in a fang-bearing snarl before plunging 20cc's of air into the man's neck. He would be dead in moments.

He left the struggling guard and dashed to the file cabinet. A quick scan of the files identifed some of the companies main interests. Drug testing... immunization... radiation resistance... west nile virus... variola virus... Variola? Smallpox? No time to worry about that now, although it began to add to his suspicions. Genetics. He rifled through the files, looking for a location, a contact name, buisness affiliates, anything. Utilizing the large inside pockets to his coat, he grabbed a few of the files and tucked them away quickly. Dropping the lab coat over the dead guard, he left the lab quickly for an escape into the streets below.

The 'cop' kept walking and turned the corner. He had to come back to his van sooner or later. Meanwhile the man in the parka was still in sight, so there was no way Karasu could jump straight to the warehouse roof. Even if the man saw nothing but a flash of black, it would be suspicious if he saw it right over his head.

At this point, she reconsidered her options. She did not want to stay all night waiting for the man in the parka to leave, especially since she wasn't sure when the 'cop' would get back. There was also the possibility that the 'cop' may have circled around to a different entrance to the warehouse and gone inside.

And, of course there was Andreus. Karasu wanted to get back to her apartment to check on him, as well as discuss Nico, particularly since this excursion seemed to be leading her nowhere. She then recalled what he had said about his past. She felt so badly for him. His life of isolation created in her, a slight sense of anger at the world... the way no one could seem to accept him. It was just strange the way a man as large and strong, was so fearful and shy about showing his face. I guess it makes sense, considering the way everyone treated him, Karasu thought disgustedly. She looked at him as a man saved by advanced technology. He was a man to her, pure and simple... not some freak, as others saw him. She really enjoyed his company, thought him a wonderful man, and found him intriguing as well. Karasu then remembered what she had said to him earlier: “I’ll be your friend.” She felt her face getting red. Those must have been the most embarrassing words she had ever uttered… and the way she said them... like a little child. She did not know what possessed her to blurt out something so odd. She felt a bit humiliated, however; he did need a friend, she wanted to be his friend, and she would be there for him…

Back to the task at hand. Over and around, she thought. That would be the only way to get to the warehouse unseen by the man in the parka. She gathered and wrapped her cape with a band attached to the back of her belt. After all, she couldn't just let it fly around all the time. With all the aerials and gymnastics, Karasu needed to secure the cape to her body often. In no time, she was airborne. She proceeded swiftly and silently across the buildings on her current side of the street, until she was far enough down the street that the man in the parka would be unlikely to see her. Even if he did, she would not appear to be human... just a black flash. When she reached this point, in order to get the most speed possible, she began at the back of the roof and started out a run of gymnastics, mostly handsprings and whipbacks, building to an amazing speed. She performed a series of aerials over the street, and landed silently on the roof, now safely on the side with the warehouse.

Airborne, she had almost inhuman speed... so fast that anyone looking would see nothing but a black blur. That is where her 'assassin alias' came from. Her family tradition was to take the skill that was that family member’s trademark… what set him/her apart... and use that as their ‘assassin name’. However, and this is how it usually came about, they waited until they overheard someone who had seen a hit describe that person using a nickname, always an animal of some sort. That likeness formally became the ‘assassin name’, and the representation tattooed across his or her back… thus the large raven on Karasu's back. No matter what she did with her life, the tattoo on her back would never let her forget who she was.

Safely on the other side of the street, Karasu ran to the back of the building. This way, the man in the parka could not see her from his position as she approached the warehouse. She then went about her usual roof hopping until she landed safely on the warehouse roof, crouched down, and began slowly looking around.

She could easily enter through the roof, however, Karasu had no idea what type of security systems they may have installed. She toyed with the idea of cutting the power completely. If there was surveillance, that would be just like setting off an alarm, she thought. If the 'cop' and the man in the parka left soon, that was still an option. She would just have to be quick about it.

As she crept around the perimeter of the building, she noticed the van was still there, and the 'cop' was coming around the block in the direction of the front door. Before she made a move, Karasu would wait and see what this man was going to do.

To my, perhaps only friend, in the past few years: I am sorry I must go. I too have a duty to find Nico and I must follow it to its end. I am sure you will understand, and I am more sure we shall meet again. I am most grateful for the support you have shown me. Physically- and otherwise. I have left you an item of value to me, to be left in your safekeeping. It is a device you can use to find me. It was built by my benefactor the vicar when he helped me to make sure I had reformed for a period. He placed it in my care after such a time. It is a symbol of my freedom and awakening. Take care of it. God be with you, along with my thoughts -Andreus

Andreus walked silently through the streets, his cloak making him a tall sillowette in the light. He studied the path with his enhanced vision and followed the trail leading to Nico. The sample he had taken of his biological signature was an unusual one and so not hard to pick out amongst the others.
After some searching the trail led to a lab...

So....a lab....could this mean the man is not of natural origin after all?
He snuck inside the complex, moving suprisingly silently for his size. He made sure that with each camera he passed he froze the image until he had passed under its glance, it was a simpe thing to do, he just froze its system for a few seconds with a signal.
After walking the corridors for a while he reached a small laboratory, and what he saw froze his stomach

'What?' He hurried over to a dying man, a syringe laid by him, someone did this intensionally. He held the man in his arms
'Who did this?' He asked quietly
'Th-th-those fangs.......' He shivered for a second and then went limp
'Go in piece' Andreus made the sign of the cross on the guards chest and laid him back carefully, crossing his arms.
Andreus looked over to a filing cabinet that had been sorted through, Nico had been all over this. But what did he take? Andreus didn't have time to sort through them all, so he made his way out of the building silently, following the trail Nico had left on his way out.

Karasu waited on the roof while the man went inside the warehouse. She couldn't go in now. It would be too risky... mostly a wasted night. I guess I'll have to wait until I see Grammian tomorrow to learn anything.

She decided she would go home. She roof hopped her way back home, planning to tell Andreus she really found nothing from this lead, and find out what information he had..

Karasu arrived at her apartment shortly and entered the rooftop. The rooftop entrance led to a small room next to the 'closet' where she kept her weapons. She pulled off the cloth that hid her face, and removed the belt of weapons and threw them on the floor to be put away later. She walked through the apartment towards the room Andreus was resting in and saw the door cracked. The light was on, so she knocked and entered… but he was gone! Gone! Why?! She was stunned. On the bed where he was resting, she found a note:

“To my, perhaps only friend, in the past few years: I am sorry I must go. I too have a duty to find Nico and I must follow it to its end. I am sure you will understand, and I am more sure we shall meet again. I am most grateful for the support you have shown me. Physically- and otherwise. I have left you an item of value to me, to be left in your safekeeping. It is a device you can use to find me. It was built by my benefactor the vicar when he helped me to make sure I had reformed for a period. He placed it in my care after such a time. It is a symbol of my freedom and awakening. Take care of it. God be with you, along with my thoughts –Andreus”

"How could he!? I don't understand!" She was yelling aloud. "He knew I had to find Nico as well!" Andreus could not have waited a few hours so they could exchange information? He likely has more than I do. He had technology unavailable to her. I don't understand. He knew I needed to find Nico, and as he says, "follow that duty to it's end". She could not comprehend why he would leave without giving her any information, or saying goodbye, for that matter. He knows I have to find Nico too! She was mentally shouting at this point. It makes no sense! I DON'T understand! Why couldn't he wait! Doesn't he give a shit that I need to find Nico as much as he does? Apparently not. Obviously, her needs were not important to him at all. It did not matter to him that she had to find Nico. How selfish, she thought angrily as she pulled a throwing knife from her leather pants and threw it into the wall. She picked up the note. Sure, it was polite enough, but actions speak louder than words.

Karasu then picked up the device next to the note and examined it. What the hell is this? A device of value to him that can help me locate him? What am I supposed to do with it? How am I supposed to use it to find him? She sighed. Utter confusion is all she felt.

After re-thinking the situation, her initial feelings of anger subsided. He must have a reason for not staying to give me any information… at least, I hope he does. From what she knew of Andreus, she didn't believe he just didn't give a shit. And he wouldn’t have left this object, obviously important to him, in my care if he didn’t trust me or didn’t want me to locate him.

Karasu was stuck back where she started. Andreus, who could have been her biggest lead, left without telling her anything. This was the most frustrating fact so far... and he left this "thing" she did not know what to do with, or how to use it to find him. She certainly did want to find him. She had many questions. She had to find Nico. Regardless of her personal feelings, she had to keep that violent murderer alive. Karasu really felt she was working blindly. I hope to God Grammian has my answers tomorrow. However she doubted that he would likely know where Nico was.

Karasu showered and changed into another pair of black leather pants, and leather top, put on her gloves, hooked on her belt, with some weapons, and concealed several pistols, making sure her favorite Sig-Sauer was easily accessible. She threw on a black trench coat, put on some make up and, quickly pocketed the "thing" Andreus left behind. She took the elevator down to the garage, but didn’t take her car. Karasu was going for a walk.

She decided stop by the hall of records prior to seeing Grammian. She had the address of the warehouse. She could at least find out who owned or rented the building. Then off to a nice coffee house before I see Grammian.

Karasu pulled the device from her pocket and looked at it again.

Karasu waited on the roof while the man went inside the warehouse. She couldn't go in now. It would be too risky... mostly a wasted night. I guess I'll have to wait until I see Grammian tomorrow to learn anything.

She decided she would go home. She roof hopped her way back home, planning to tell Andreus she really found nothing from this lead, and find out what information he had..

Karasu arrived at her apartment shortly and entered the rooftop. The rooftop entrance led to a small room next to the 'closet' where she kept her weapons. She pulled off the cloth that hid her face, and removed the belt of weapons and threw them on the floor to be put away later. She walked through the apartment towards the room Andreus was resting in and saw the door cracked. The light was on, so she knocked and entered… but he was gone! Gone! Why?! She was stunned. On the bed where he was resting, she found a note:

“To my, perhaps only friend, in the past few years: I am sorry I must go. I too have a duty to find Nico and I must follow it to its end. I am sure you will understand, and I am more sure we shall meet again. I am most grateful for the support you have shown me. Physically- and otherwise. I have left you an item of value to me, to be left in your safekeeping. It is a device you can use to find me. It was built by my benefactor the vicar when he helped me to make sure I had reformed for a period. He placed it in my care after such a time. It is a symbol of my freedom and awakening. Take care of it. God be with you, along with my thoughts –Andreus”

"How could he!? I don't understand!" She was yelling aloud. "He knew I had to find Nico as well!" Andreus could not have waited a few hours so they could exchange information? He likely has more than I do. He had technology unavailable to her. I don't understand. He knew I needed to find Nico, and as he says, "follow that duty to it's end". She could not comprehend why he would leave without giving her any information, or saying goodbye, for that matter. He knows I have to find Nico too! She was mentally shouting at this point. It makes no sense! I DON'T understand! Why couldn't he wait! Doesn't he give a shit that I need to find Nico as much as he does? Apparently not. Obviously, her needs were not important to him at all. It did not matter to him that she had to find Nico. How selfish, she thought angrily as she pulled a throwing knife from her leather pants and threw it into the wall. She picked up the note. Sure, it was polite enough, but actions speak louder than words.

Karasu then picked up the device next to the note and examined it. What the hell is this? A device of value to him that can help me locate him? What am I supposed to do with it? How am I supposed to use it to find him? She sighed. Utter confusion is all she felt.

After re-thinking the situation, her initial feelings of anger subsided. He must have a reason for not staying to give me any information… at least, I hope he does. From what she knew of Andreus, she didn't believe he just didn't give a shit. And he wouldn’t have left this object, obviously important to him, in my care if he didn’t trust me or didn’t want me to locate him.

Karasu was stuck back where she started. Andreus, who could have been her biggest lead, left without telling her anything. This was the most frustrating fact so far... and he left this "thing" she did not know what to do with, or how to use it to find him. She certainly did want to find him. She had many questions. She had to find Nico. Regardless of her personal feelings, she had to keep that violent murderer alive. Karasu really felt she was working blindly. I hope to God Grammian has my answers tomorrow. However she doubted that he would likely know where Nico was.

Karasu showered and changed into another pair of black leather pants, and leather top, put on her gloves, hooked on her belt, with some weapons, and concealed several pistols, making sure her favorite Sig-Sauer was easily accessible. She threw on a black trench coat, put on some make up and, quickly pocketed the "thing" Andreus left behind. She took the elevator down to the garage, but didn’t take her car. Karasu was going for a walk.

She decided stop by the hall of records prior to seeing Grammian. She had the address of the warehouse. She could at least find out who owned or rented the building. Then off to a nice coffee house before I see Grammian.

Karasu pulled the device from her pocket and looked at it again.

It was old and worn with handling, and it had markings inscribed on it, although these were evidently not part of the original design. More of an addition. It had a small screen with different knobs and dials underneath, and at the moment the screen had a small flashing green dot moving slowly left across the top right corner of the screen.

It was old and worn with handling, and it had markings inscribed on it, although these were evidently not part of the original design. More of an addition. It had a small screen with different knobs and dials underneath, and at the moment the screen had a small flashing green dot moving slowly left across the top right corner of the screen.

Karasu stopped and stared at the odd item. Her eyes went wide when she noticed a noticed a flashing green dot. This is a tracking device! The Vicar must have wanted to know where Andreus was at all times initially, and, rather than destroying it, gave it to him when he felt he was trustworthy... like a right of passage.

Karasu had no idea what the dials and knobs did, and was afraid to touch them, thinking they had to affect his cybernetics. What if moving the knobs did something like shock him, or something else that would negatively affect him? 'A Clockwork Orange' flashed through her head. Karasu seriously hoped he wasn't a product of Aversion Therapy alone... doing the right thing because of fear of punishment. No. Because he was given the device by the Vicar and he could do whatever he wanted to now. And now he had entrusted me with it. It dawned on her what an act of trust it was for Andreus to have done this. She was sincerely touched. I will take good care of it, she swore to herself.

Karasu decided she could to the County Courthouse any time and find out who the warehouse belonged to. According to the moving light Andreus wasn’t too far away. Right now, she had a chance to find him, and she was going to take it. She jumped to the nearest balcony and up to the roof of the building. She took off as fast as she could on the roofs. Her destination…the green dot.

"So you're telling me that that warehouse has been condemned for... a decade?" Asked Grammian, a feeling of hopelessness starting to form an icy ball in his stomach.

"Maybe even longer than that. I'm amazed it hasn't been torn down yet, truth be told." Said the helpful clerk at the council building. Grammian thanked him and left.

So a building that shouldn't still exist was being patrolled by a policeman who didn't exist. What a day. At least he'd managed to get some information; the coroner's reports on the recent murders and the accompanying police report on the subject.

Outside, the rain had gotten heavier. He pulled his jacket tight around himself and headed out of the building, onto the rain-washed streets and headed back to his office.

A figure was sitting hunched on a wall facing the warehouse. The cloak about its shoulders was drenched with rain, and you might not even realise it was a person, until a tiny red beam cut through the torrential rain. The light was Andreus's bionic eye penetrating the gloom seperating him and the mysterious warehous. The trail he had found had been too obscured by the rain to now follow, but he had followed it to the warehouse. Or at least the signature was around here, or had been. It was too hard to tell.
he held out a finger in the rain and watched the droplets splash on his finger, he thought about Karasu and realised how much in his life he needed company. She hadn't been shocked, or afraid, the only other person who had ever been like that was his friend the vicar.
And he lies under the ground now. Killed beacause of me.
He remembered it clearly and the rain almost became an image replay of that moment in his life. It was on a visit to father Michael, and on the way he had met the gang that had killed his the year before. He wanted nothing to do with them but they had decided to hound a group of teenagers. He sent them running of course, but they followed him back to the church. That night they came in and smashed everything of value. Father michael tried to stop them but they killed him. Andreus had woken up to the sound of breaking glass. When he went out and saw all the destruction they had wrought, and father michaels body....
His hand shook in the rain
He killed them all. Feeling nothng as he did it other than anger and revenge. He pulled his hand back under the cloak, no amount of rain could ever wash that off his hands.

Karasu continued running in the rain, following the green dot, when she became aware that she was running toward the same warehouse she was scouting earlier. Andreus was likely at the warehouse. The warehouse must be an important lead if he's checking it out, as well as Grammian, and a fake cop, she thought. She made a mental note not to forget to have Grammian run the plates of the van. If she didn't have time, maybe she'd also have him check the Clerk's office for the owner of the warehouse. Karasu looked again at the device as she got closer to the green dot. She would be at that location in no time.

_______________________

At the same time, Zane was in an alley with a man in a trench coat, who insisted on being called Ace. Ace was with the government, and Zane's current contact. Ace tried to be discreet, as he knew what he was doing would be the death of him for sure. Ace asked Zane if his 'man' had come any closer to finding Nico.

Ace threw the cigarette he was smoking on the ground and stomped it, immediately lighting another one. He was a consummate chain smoker, however under recent circumstances; he smoked even more due to nerves.

Answering Ace’s question, Zane told him that there had been no real progress.

"He's working on some leads," Zane lied.

"This matter has to be taken care of very quickly, you understand that!" Ace was speaking quietly, but urgently.

"Yes, I do, but only so much can be done. It isn’t as if there is a lot of information to go on", Zane replied.

"Let's meet here tomorrow night for an update." Ace insisted on no phones if possible... 10:00pm?"

Zane nodded, hoping he would have more information for Ace by tomorrow night. He wants too much too fast with too little to go on, he thought to himself, as they walked their separate ways.

As Zane walked into the street, he did not take notice of the man with the white/blonde hair who he walked right past.
_________________________________________________

Karasu finally reached the point where the green dot stopped moving. She was on the building next to the warehouse. She could see Andreus from there. She put the device back in her pocket, jumped and landed next to him. "Andreus," she said with a quiet voice, as she looked up at him, her face lighting up upon seeing him again. She smiled. "Let's walk and talk." She pulled him by the arm of his cloak. "Why didn't you wait for me? For a moment, I thought I might not see you again.” That thought left a knot in her stomach.

“This is the very warehouse I was staking out tonight. There were others staking it out as well, a fake cop, and a private investigator. I hired that same PI to research the exact cause of death of the two people I believe you may have been checking into at the morgue the when you were shot.”

Karasu continued, “One was a man who had, it seemed, melted, the other, a woman who died from a bite to the neck, attributed to Nico. I even went so far as to see if the PI could find Nico for me. I’m not sure I want to let on what I know about the warehouse when I see the P.I. again. Maybe I can get more info from him as to the identity of the caller. In any case, I am going to have him look up the plates on the van. I'm sure they aren't registered to whoever was driving it. I wanted to make it back to the PI's office today in time for the phone call from the person who asked the PI to check out this warehouse in the first place.

I didn't get a chance to go inside the warehouse because there was a man across the street watching all of this and eventually the fake cop went inside. I do not know what security is inside, but the fake cop ushered out the PI. I don't see any one obviously staring down here at us, but it's hard for me to tell without some of the equipment I didn't bring." She stopped and looked at him.

She smiled at him "Thank you for this device Andreus. It was sweet of you to trust me enough to leave it for me. I know it means a lot to you and I'm honored you entrusted it to me, although I can't say I know what the knobs and dials do. Thank God you left it. I needed to find you, even more so when I found you heading this direction. You never told me what information you have. By the way, what brought you to this warehouse anyway?"

Karasu thought for a moment and before he could answer exclaimed, "Your cybernetics, of course! I know you have enhancements that allow you to do extraordinary things. You MUST know more about Nico, about all of this, than me! Please! You must tell me what you know!" She grabbed hold of his hand. “Please”, she asked in a quiet voice.

Grammian got back to his office and sat down in his chair. No new messages on his answering machine, as per... always. He sighed and took off his jacket, tossing it into a corner after he retrieved the files from it. It had been a long, strange day. He had a sneaking suspicion that it was the shape of things to come.

He put the files onto his desk, and opened a drawer. Next to his spare snub-nosed revolver sat a bottle of whisky. Good stuff, too.

He sighed again, glanced at his watch, then pulled out the bottle.

Nicola sat in yet another abandoned building. The night had been long, but he had managed to get around unmolested, and even managed a bit of rest. Now, he used the dim haze of dawn filtering through the grimy windows to search through the files.

Artemis had a lot going on out of the public eye, it would seem. However exactly what they had going on was difficult to determine. The hard copies of these files were partially done in code. Very clever code that would not arouse suspicion, but code all the same. Oh yes, on the surface they were a legitimate research organization, but beneath the surface, there was something else. Just what are you really researching..?

He flipped through the viral files. Variola. The files claimed that they were seeking a fast-acting antidote or possible prevention against weaponized smallpox. Specifically the aerosol form. Of couse that would me they had access to the stuff. Nico clenched his jaw, remembering those canisters in the warehouse. Just what was in them.. And why. There were more files about radiation, and subjecting subjects to repeated exposure over a course of time, trying to build resistance. The results were "inconclusive thus far."

There were some files on genetic research as well. They had made a few advances out of the public eye. Currently they were working on mice, attempting to infuse them with DNA from other species to induce some sort of change. Most of the subjects had died. However the file made reference to one who had survived with extraordinary results. The file mentioned Dekker, which he could only assume to be another location or a puppet company. Something to look in to.

Standing, he tucked the files away once more and made his way to a phone booth with all the necessary precautions. The blonde hair was making it easier to walk around. He pulled out the phone book, dialed the numbers on the calling card, then the numbers for Grammian.

"Good morning, investigator. I trust you recieved my...deposit?"

Grammian had been asleep, his face pressed against the files on his desk. He was rudely awakened by the phone ringing, and sat up. Luckily, he hadn't been asleep long enough for a hangover to set in. He hadn't had enough drink to get him drunk yet anyway.

"Grammian.." He mumbled, wiping his eyes. He woke up immediately when he heard the voice at the other end. "Yes, I did get your deposit. I'm not overly concerned about what it is, mind. But onto business. I looked into that warehouse for you." He shifted his weight in his seat and took out the notepad where he'd made some scribbles.

"The warehouse is apparently condemned, but I sincerely doubt it. The insides were too fresh to be abandonned. More interestingly, the building seems to have a police guard there, but the badge number of the officer who stopped me doesn't exist. All the contracts for the building claim it had been abandonned." He flicked his notebook shut.

"What do you want me to do now?"

"Not overly concerned about what it is," he repeated carefully with a quiet laugh. "Now I can honestly say I am surprized by that. You might want to take a second look at the bracelet. If you are still unconcerned... I'm sure pawning it will bring in a few dollars, though it would also bring us both a great deal of trouble."

So the warehouse was condemned... no owner on file. That was a load of crap. Artemis did not want their name associated with the place, and went to a lot of trouble to ensure that.

"To continue this, I need to meet with you. Conducting this over the phone is not safe."

Across the street from Grammian's office, Zion crouched beside an A/C unit, the collar of the parka popped to ward off some of the drizzling rain. The rubberized surface of a pair of military-grade spotting binoculars where held loosely in his tactical-gloved hands, the kind that where missing an index finger so you could feel the trigger beneath the tip as you squeezed off a round.

He'd been watching the aging private eye for some time now, possibly a few hours. If this was his normal routine, offing him from this range would be no problem, especially with the tools he'd brought. He'd hold off on that, though. Zion had caught the words 'Kruschev' & 'warehouse', from the limited facility in lip-reading he'd aquired over the years of staring at people from long ranges. The shiny new laser mic he'd bought the week before to be fitted onto his rifle's scope would have taken a day too long to install, so he'd opted to postpone its mounting. Mentally, he was kicking himself square in the ass for doing so...

'Lady Luck must be a hooker, and I spent my last dime on the taxi ride over...'

Grammian's first instinct was to simply demand his money and slam down the phone, get to work on that bottle of booze and have a half decent night's sleep. But he'd drawn too many blanks on the warehouse situation to just give up now. Professional curiousity, he mused.

"Alright, 'Vincent'," he said with a degree of sarcasm, "We'll meet. Whatever you've got that's too risky to say over the phone had better be said somewhere bloody secure. There are ears all over the place in this city. How d'you think I've been making a living?"

He smiled at Grammian's use of that name. The man was catching on, but the question was how long until he figured it out?

"Very well then. Unless you have a better suggestion, I'll arrange to have the meeting place and time delivered in the same means as my deposit. Forgive me for seeming overly cautious, but you'll understand soon enough."

"That's fine with me. But I swear to God, if you do anything to get me into trouble with the law, our business together will reach a very sudden end. I hope I've made myself clear." He hung up and gave his eyes a rub.

This whole situation stank worse than a fish shop at midday, but he couldn't back out now. He had a horrible feeling that his mystery client would somehow be connected to his other client's requests.

He dismissed the thought as speculation, and wandered into his toilet to splash his face with some water.

Ace threw the cigarette he was smoking on the ground and stomped it, immediately lighting another one. He was a consummate chain smoker, however under recent circumstances; he smoked even more due to nerves.

Answering Ace’s question, Zane told him that there had been no real progress.

"He's working on some leads," Zane lied.

"This matter has to be taken care of very quickly, you understand that!" Ace was speaking quietly, but urgently.

"Yes, I do, but only so much can be done. It isn’t as if there is a lot of information to go on", Zane replied.

"Let's meet here tomorrow night for an update." Ace insisted on no phones if possible... 10:00pm?"

Zane nodded, hoping he would have more information for Ace by tomorrow night. He wants too much too fast with too little to go on, he thought to himself, as they walked their separate ways.

As Zane walked into the street, he did not take notice of the man with the white/blonde hair who he walked right past.
_________________________________________________

Karasu finally reached the point where the green dot stopped moving. She was on the building next to the warehouse. She could see Andreus from there. She put the device back in her pocket, jumped and landed next to him. "Andreus," she said with a quiet voice, as she looked up at him, her face lighting up upon seeing him again. She smiled. "Let's walk and talk." She pulled him by the arm of his cloak. "Why didn't you wait for me? For a moment, I thought I might not see you again.” That thought left a knot in her stomach.

“This is the very warehouse I was staking out tonight. There were others staking it out as well, a fake cop, and a private investigator. I hired that same PI to research the exact cause of death of the two people I believe you may have been checking into at the morgue the when you were shot.”

Karasu continued, “One was a man who had, it seemed, melted, the other, a woman who died from a bite to the neck, attributed to Nico. I even went so far as to see if the PI could find Nico for me. I’m not sure I want to let on what I know about the warehouse when I see the P.I. again. Maybe I can get more info from him as to the identity of the caller. In any case, I am going to have him look up the plates on the van. I'm sure they aren't registered to whoever was driving it. I wanted to make it back to the PI's office today in time for the phone call from the person who asked the PI to check out this warehouse in the first place.

I didn't get a chance to go inside the warehouse because there was a man across the street watching all of this and eventually the fake cop went inside. I do not know what security is inside, but the fake cop ushered out the PI. I don't see any one obviously staring down here at us, but it's hard for me to tell without some of the equipment I didn't bring." She stopped and looked at him.

She smiled at him "Thank you for this device Andreus. It was sweet of you to trust me enough to leave it for me. I know it means a lot to you and I'm honored you entrusted it to me, although I can't say I know what the knobs and dials do. Thank God you left it. I needed to find you, even more so when I found you heading this direction. You never told me what information you have. By the way, what brought you to this warehouse anyway?"

Karasu thought for a moment and before he could answer exclaimed, "Your cybernetics, of course! I know you have enhancements that allow you to do extraordinary things. You MUST know more about Nico, about all of this, than me! Please! You must tell me what you know!" She grabbed hold of his hand. “Please”, she asked in a quiet voice.

'I know this much...' He looked out into the rain
'The man is not natural, whether a man born of science or made such I do not know. But....look here...' He took the device and turned a dial to display an enhanced image of Nicos sample
'Here, the blood cells, they are not of the shape in a normal human, a far too complex shape. It would give him impressive stamina, but any doctor would notice in an instant. And the plasma, some chemicals in there are not found in anything living I know of. Some even poisenous. Do you know if the man was involved with any genetics? It just looks....' He looked away from the image
'Unatural. Evil is not the word, but whoever did this...' He shook his head
'It is good we have not met'

'I know this much...' He looked out into the rain
'The man is not natural, whether a man born of science or made such I do not know. But....look here...' He took the device and turned a dial to display an enhanced image of Nicos sample
'Here, the blood cells, they are not of the shape in a normal human, a far too complex shape. It would give him impressive stamina, but any doctor would notice in an instant. And the plasma, some chemicals in there are not found in anything living I know of. Some even poisenous. Do you know if the man was involved with any genetics? It just looks....' He looked away from the image
'Unatural. Evil is not the word, but whoever did this...' He shook his head
'It is good we have not met'

"Hmmmm... I don't know if he was involved with genetics, but from what you have said, it's obvious he's been altered somehow... in a very twisted way. You said poisons and chemicals not found in any living thing." Karasu thought for a moment, the melted man..

"Andreus, I have a PI named Grammian looking into the cause of death of a man whose body I found melted... as if by acid, but it wasn't acid. There was not enough liquid. I am paying Grammian, who is also a hitman by the way, to get the coroner's report on that man, as well as on a woman killed by Nico. Perhaps these chemicals are related. I don't know if you got a look at that 'mess' at the morgue as well, but that corpse was found at the same site as one of Kruschev's victims. I can't say if they're related. They were on different floors. The substance looked foreign to me… the cause of death of the melted man released to the public, was as another typical Nico murder. My job is to keep this man alive. He must have information on how this happened... information that makes him a target. It does not help that he murdered several people. Everyone is on the lookout for him. Someone will kill him eventually, unless I can prevent it. We need Nico to be alive and questioned. So… he was at this warehouse. This warehouse must play into this somehow, or he never would have bothered to come here, especially considering all the people who seem to be interested in this place."

Damn! Karasu just realized she missed the phone call to Grammian, from the person wanting info on the warehouse!

"Andreus! I just realized I missed my chance for more information. I was supposed to be at Grammian's office when the phone call from that man came, and I ended up here! I want to know who his client is. Someone hired Grammian to check out this warehouse. The client himself, is important information. Damn! I have to get over there. I assume I will be able to find you with this device when I need to contact you. Do any of your cybernetics work as a cell phone? “ Well, it's not impossible. “ I think we need to keep in touch.

I ask two other things of you. First, if you find Nico's whereabouts, let me know. Perhaps you can capture him alive. I have a feeling you want to talk to Nico as well." If he needed to find him, but did not know why, I'm sure it is to speak with him. At least initially.

Karasu continued, "What I'm trying to say is don't kill him. Restrain him if you intend to speak with him. If you find him and are going to tail him, let me know that as well. I need to know where he is either way. Finding Nico is vital. I have never had a job so fraught with questions, and Zane made it clear this was going to be very dangerous and difficult. I am going to make a mix of drugs at home to shoot him when I find him. It’s similar to a tranquilizer gun, but something much stronger than tranquilizers.

The second request that I have, is that you stay with me." Karasu held his hand to her face for a moment… so comforting. She always felt... she could not quite think of the word... when she was with Andreus. Karasu looked up at him. "I get the impression that you are homeless. Whether you are or are not, I would still like you to stay with me. We can share and compare information if we aren't working together at the time." She handed a piece of paper with the elevator code along with a key. "Please memorize the entrance code and shred the paper, and keep the key. Consider my home your home. I insist. It’s the least I can do considering you gave me something of such value to you." Karasu pulled out the device. “I’d like to find out more about it… the dials and markings… but I must get to Grammian’s office right now! I may have some decent information after seeing him. Take care of yourself Andreus, and I’ll be seeing you!”

Karasu jumped to the nearest roof and began jumping her way to Grammian's office. She would call him and let him know she would be there.

OOC: Sorry about the uber long posts, but I'm out of town several days at a time this week.


Karasu stopped on a roof midway to Grammian's office to call him. She fumbled for the right cell phone; she had several, and called his office. "Mr. Grammian, this is Karina Jones. I am on my way to your office as of this moment so expect me in a few minutes." She hung up without waiting for a reply.

The gymnastics and jumping roof to roof in the rain had her looking nothing like she appeared when she first met Grammian. Not much I can do about that, I suppose. She stopped several buildings away from his to take a breather. Karasu did not want it to appear that she had been running. She used this time wisely.

Karasu pulled a pair of odd looking, small binoculars from her trench coat. They were equipped with night vision capability, far superior to any other night vision goggles. Like a camera flash, the night vision system turned itself on automatically when necessary.

Good ol' Zane. Zane was an inventor of sorts. Karasu had many odd, but highly useful weapons and one-of-a-kind items, due to that fact. This included a small chip implanted in her back. This chip allowed her to evade metal detectors. A necessary item in her line of work... and she had the only one.

Karasu caught her breath as she gazed the streets and roofs. Wait! What is this! Her heart started pounding. A sniper... he is aligned to shoot through Grammian's window! This guy was no ordinary sniper. Analyzing the man, the way he was set, and his equipment, she knew he was top of the line. Karasu did not have any snipe equipment and knew better than to get close enough to this man to shoot him with any of the guns she had with her. She immediately jumped to the ground between buildings and dialed Grammian.

As soon as he answered, she stated in a very serious tone; "Mr. Grammian, this is Karina Jones. It is vital that you leave your office right now. Wait in the hallway for me. Stay away from windows. A sniper is targeting you. Leave immediately. Do not look out the window. I’ll be there in a minute. I'm nearly at your building. Heed what I say. This is no joke. Mr. Grammian, leave immediately. This man is a serious professional with amazing equipment." I suppose I will have to explain how I saw the sniper, as he was not visible from the street, as well as knowledge of weapons… somehow.

Karasu walked quickly down the street, not looking up, and entered Grammian's office building. She called him on her cell phone as she entered the lobby. "Mr. Grammian, it's Karina, I'm on my way up the elevator. I am NOT kidding about this. As incentive, in case you don’t believe me, I'll give you another $1000 to meet me in the hall." Karasu didn’t mind throwing money around, since she had plenty. She tried to make herself presentable as she took the elevator up to Grammian's floor. "You better be in the hallway by now, and, by the way, I hope you had some luck finding the information I requested. I have some more work for you as well." The elevator opened at Grammian's floor.

Grammian hit the deck when he heard his client's rushed warning. He'd sniped a few times himself, and remember all too vividly the mess a well placed shot could make of a mark. This Karina Jones woman was as suspicious as his other client. Typical. He was unemployed (as far as his PI business was concerned) for months, then in one day he gets two clients, one as bad as the other.

He snatched spare pistol from his desk drawer, slid it into his ankle holster and began to crawl away. Then the thought hit him that, considering the way the night had begun, he'd probably be needing a drink or seven later. So he crawled back to the desk, grabbed the bottle of whisky and slid it into his jacket. Finally, he grabbed his client's requested files and got out.

In the hall, he waited away from the windows, pressed against a wall and keeping low. He sincerely hoped the sniper didn't have a thermal scope attached, or else he'd still be a good target.

The elevator binged and he saw his client. "You have a lot of explaining to do, Miss Jones." He snarled.

Karasu sighed with relief when she saw Grammian in the hallway. "There must be a room at the back of the building where we can talk. We should move to a room away from this side of the street, Mr. Grammian". She threw a thousand dollars at him.

She continued slightly irritated at his demand. "I just saved your life. Perhaps I have a little explaining to do, but YOU have plenty to explain as well. To start with, why could it be that a professional like that would want you dead?" Karasu was beginning to realize she might have to reveal at least some of the truth. She could not continue completely under false pretenses, however, she would try her best not to reveal much. I have to ask about the client requesting the warehouse information. After all, one of the jobs I gave him was to find Nico. If Nico had been at the warehouse, as Andreus said, what if...

She realized she likely looked like a drowned rat... not quite like the executive impression she gave previously. She sighed and stared at him, noticing the outline of the bottle under his coat. She looked up at him. "Can I have a swig of whatever you're drinking before we talk?" Grammian pulled out a bottle of whiskey.

"To start with, I SAW the sniper on the roof." She looked at him. "What could you have done that pissed someone off enough to hire an elite sniper to kill you Mr. Grammian?" Karasu decided to tip her hand a bit and reveal her knowledge of his 'other line of work'. She grabbed the bottle, looked at it, and took a swig of the whiskey. It felt nice and warm. I needed that. "Could it be that one of your hits pissed somebody off?" Karasu looked him squarely in the eyes.

"You appreciate that I find blackmail a very unattractive quality in a client, Miss Jones." He added quietly, trying to maintain the facade that he was calm. Inside his head, his mind was racing. How the hell did she know about his other work?! He took back his bottle and thanked himself for saving it.

"So, here we are then. I've got a sniper trying to kill me, and one of my clients turns out to want to blackmail me. Lovely. I think you should go to the police about this, rather than me. Might get a reward that way."

OOC: Dictated post ... no time to edit



"Mr. Grammian, I have no intention or desire to blackmail you. In fact, I'm here because I truly need your help." Karasu's heart was pounding as she continued. "I think it's important that we are both a little more honest with each other. This will be advantageous to both of us."

Karasu asked Grammian if she could have a bit more whiskey. She then looked up at him and stated, "I'm going to put myself on the line here as well ... I saw you the night you hit the woman with the piano wire and lost your eye in the process. Now this is where I stick my neck out so we're on an even playing field."

Karasu took a deep breath and continued. "I was at the pub the night you met your contact. After overhearing your conversation, I followed you and watched the entire scene from a building across the street." She grabbed the bottle from his hand and took a long swig from it. "The truth is, my line of work is fulfilling the same type of contract. However, the reason I need your help is not to get information on a mark."

Karasu was uncomfortable revealing so much information to Grammian. "The information I hired you to get for me is, I believe, related to the client who phoned you while I was at your office the first time. I'll explain more later."

Karasu couldn't believe she spit out that much information but went on. "I think combining our knowledge would be advantageous to us both. I think we can help each other."

Karasu looked at him with sincerity in her eyes. "I brought the subject up because I believe it is imperative that we share information, and I think coming clean with each other is the best way to start. Aside from that, the man on the roof across the street is an elite sniper. I don't know who hired him or why, but I can tell you right now, after seeing him and his equipment clearly, I know he will be relentless. Your life is in constant danger from this point on."

Karasu sighed. "If there is a back entrance, we should leave through it and find somewhere safe to talk. We have a lot to discuss."

Grammian weighed up the options presented before him.

He could help this woman, help her to find this Nico guy and run the risk of a double cross. Or, he could pretend to help her and sell her out as soon as possible. Both were tempting, and both involved not getting shot by the sniper.

"Fine, there's a back entrance in the lobby. I need to collect something from my inbox first." He replied, staying low and moving to the elevator.

Nico had made his way directly to Grammian's office this time after scribbling a note carefully. He was still cautious, but with the blonde hair he could afford to take a few calculated risks. Crossing the streets quickly, he slipped into the lobby. He avoided eye contact with a few people milling about, and slipped the small piece of paper into the box. It bore a simple message: 7:00. North enterance of the convention center.

Andreus walked up the stairs to the apartment number she had told him. As he reached the door he delicatley tore apart the paper and tossed some away, carefully keeping some just in case.
He walked inside and took his cloak off feeling a little naked without it. But when he did he looked down and noticed somthing
Oh dear. It has been a while
He sniffed slightly and he didnt need cybernetics to tell him he needed a shower. He wasn't sure about this. He had never been alone in someone elses apartment. Or for that matter anyone's, but he looked round suspiciously and undressed to get in the shower. It did feel good, he wiped the grime off his bionic arm and right forearm cover, then cleaned up his artificial leg. Of what was biological, he was in quite good shape. Life on the road had given him the musculatory system of the well travelled. Although it couldn't match his bionic strength it could put up a decent burst of energy when it wanted to.
After he had cleaned himself up he went into the lounge with a towel around his waist and hesitantly sat down on the sofa, being startled by the TV turning itself on. He calmed down a little when he realised he had sat on the box, and he settled down to watch the news. Hoping to catch any news on Nico.

Grammian exited the elevator and headed to his inbox, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the building's lobby. It had only just occured to him that his client might not have arrived yet. Thankfully, a piece of paper was lying in the box, staring back at him. He made a mental note of the address on it, then pressed it into his pocket.

He shut the box and returned to his client motioning for her to follow him. At the back of the lobby, a fire exit opened out into a faintly smelly alley. He shut the door behind them and raised an eyebrow at his client.

"Some answers now, please." He requested.

Grammian exited the elevator and headed to his inbox, avoiding eye contact with everyone in the building's lobby. It had only just occurred to him that his client might not have arrived yet. Thankfully, a piece of paper was lying in the box, staring back at him. He made a mental note of the address on it, then pressed it into his pocket.

He shut the box and returned to his client motioning for her to follow him. At the back of the lobby, a fire exit opened out into a faintly smelly alley. He shut the door behind them and raised an eyebrow at his client.

"Some answers now, please." He requested.

"And I need some as well." Karasu did not trust this man but knew if he crossed her in any way, he would be dead before he knew it. Zane would see to it. And I don't think it would only be Zane... Karasu thought about Andreus. Yes, he is another she could trust to avenge her.

"OK Mr. Grammian. To start with, do NOT think about f*cking with me in any way… if you want to live. This isn't a threat but a fact. I have no say in your imminant death should you cause me harm or death. That sniper will look like a kid with a water gun if you cause me harm. It isn't in my hands. It will just happen. You do not know exactly who I am, but you can continue calling me Karina. The identity of my client is far beyond anyone you might imagine. If something detrimental happens to me, because of your actions, your life will end. I want to add... I would never have told you about myself, if I did not intend to be straight with you, nor would I be throwing all this money at you. I don't need to turn you in. I'm independently wealthy." She stated this clearly and sternly so he would understand what would happen to him, should he cross her.

"Could I please see the coroner's reports? I trust you received these, since you knew someone."

Karasu perused the reports on the melted man: 'Direct cause of death: Body completely destroyed by a chemical previously unknown to science.'. Her heart started racing, and she opened the report on the woman: 'Direct cause of death: blood loss from bite to neck.' Karasu went right to the pathology report and scanned the page. In bold letters: 'Previously non-existent DNA found on swabs taken from bite wound. Not consistent with human DNA. DNA appears to be a cross between species engineered genetically. Also found in saliva swab from neck wound: poisons and toxins completely unknown to science.'

Karasu's heart was pounding so hard she thought it would pound out of her chest. Exactly what Andreus told me!

Andreus had followed Nico's path to the warehouse, which was being checked out by many people, as well as Grammian's phone client. It has to be him!

"Mr. Grammian, all information I've received leads me to your client... the one who I see you are going to meet at 7:00." Karasu had looked over his shoulder as Grammian had opened the piece of paper. She could tell he was angry about this. "These coroner's reports confirm some information that leads me to the conclusion that your client... is Nicola Kruschev." Karasu still could not believe it.

"Therefore, it makes sense why that sniper is after you. I insist on going along when you meet him. He will not see me. He is not a target of mine, but he is a target of many. In fact, I've been hired to keep him alive." She knew Grammian would protest. "I insist," Karasu stated.

"Listen to me Grammian, and listen carefully. Don't even think about turning in Nico. He has information that a lot of people want, and I believe he is trying to get it to the right people." Karasu paused. "Not only that... Kruschev is not exactly a normal human being." How should I say this delicately? "He has physical capabilities previously unknown to man. We don't know his mental state at all, but don't piss him off. He's already shown that he has no problems killing to get through his obstacles."

Karasu sighed knowing that Grammian was likely ready to kill her himself at this point. "I MUST come with you. I can't keep him alive if I can't find him. Whatever information he asks of you also is important to me. I respectfully request that information. If you deny me this information, I will speak to Nico myself." Karasu felt slightly bad being so rude.

"Ummm... I apologize for my rudeness in this situation. It's just that this case is, I am positive, far beyond anything either of us has dealt with, and I've had marks such as dictators in governments that were extremely tight… Plus, you, and now me, because I will be with you until you meet your client, are targets of an ungodly accurate sniper. I can snipe, but this is this guy's life's work."

Karasu sighed. "I'm sorry it has to be this way, but while you talk to your client, who I am sure is Nico, someone's going to have to watch your back. I'll be there for you." She doubted he would be there for her, but what could she do. She could use some help. Let's hope I get lucky.

She pulled out her cell phone and dialed home praying that Andreus had done as she asked... After several rings, she heard a reluctant "Hello?" Score! She whispered, "It's me. Your analysis was correct, and I think I'm just about to see Nico! I need you to meet me and bring a few things. Come wearing your cloak, I'm not alone. I'd like you to keep out of sight for the most part. Stay at a distance. What I'll need is”... and she ran down a list of weapons, the bottles with the drugs, the syringes, as well as her own custom sniper rifle and equipment. Karasu trained previously as a Professional Sniper as well, however it was not a tactic she used often, and she was rusty and outmatched by the man targeting Grammian. Karasu hung up the phone, realizing Grammian likely heard everything she said. However, there was no information that needed to be kept from him.

Karasu was startled when her other phone rang. “Talk to me.” she said. She told Zane to call back after 10pm and she’d have some major info. She briefly told him about the genetics, poisons, etc.

“I’ll inform Ace”, Zane replied, and hung up.

Karasu looked up at Grammian. “Onward I guess”, she smiled.

"You know the address, so there's nothing more to be said. We'll have less chance of both getting splattered by the sniper if we go our separate ways." He pulled his jacket up to offer some shielding against the wind.

"Don't be late." He said, his tone subdued but lacking warmth. He turned and headed out the alley, into the streets.

"You know the address, so there's nothing more to be said. We'll have less chance of both getting splattered by the sniper if we go our separate ways." He pulled his jacket up to offer some shielding against the wind.

"Don't be late." He said, his tone subdued but lacking warmth. He turned and headed out the alley, into the streets.

"Did anyone ever tell you that you're amazingly rude?" asked Karasu. "And by the way, you're the only one in danger of being splattered," Karasu yelled, as she turned and walked around the corner. What an ass. This is the thanks I get for saving his sorry life? Karasu did not like or trust Grammian one bit. He was just plain rude and cocky. 'Go our separate ways.' Ha!

After he headed into the streets, Karasu hit the roofs... and followed. As if I'd trust that man. He seems to have no ethics. I wouldn't doubt if he'd try to kill Nico himself. Damn! I wanted some mutual trust here! At least I picked the PI that Nico chose... She planned to call Andreus soon to update him.

Luke was a bit upset. It was taking far too long to find Nicola. He could be anywhere by now, but it seemed unlikely somehow that he would have left the city. Kruschev had different instincts than the rest of them. Anyone else would have fled and kept a low profile until everything blew over. But not this specemin. He would follow whatever his current interest was through to conclusion. He was intelligent and hardwired for survival, traits which were becoming increasingly dangerous to Luke and his company. They had not considered the possibility of him learning the concept of free will, or disobediance. The whole exercise was turning into a nightmare. It seemed that a recapture was becoming less and less likely. Perhaps it was time to get on the phone and see what cues they could bring out to trip him up..

And to make things worse, his contacts in the government were starting to ask the wrong questions. If they narrowed any more on certain topics, his story would start to actually sound like the lie it was. This all had to be resolved quickly and quietly.

----

Nico decided to take his chances with Dekker Labs, and forwent that little visit for a meeting with Grammian. This had the potential to go very badly once the investigator recognized him, but Nico had a feeling it would work out somehow. How often did someone get a chance like this? Grammian would be in no trouble with the authorities unless someone decided he needed to disappear as well, and would more than likely be applauded for the capture of this "escaped mental patient." Nico couldn't help but laugh at that. Was it truly the best cover story they could come up with?

His eyes constantly scanned his surroundings as he began the long walk to the convention center. The city held so many sounds and smells. He had to focus to block out the background information. Storefronts played bits and pieces of the news as he passed. Taxes were rising again, as was the reward put out for his capture. Officially, he was credited with 6 deaths now. Young Anna and her gentleman, the two agents across from her house in the alley, the man he had strangled at the warehouse, and finally the guard from Artemis last night. The report found nothing concrete linking him to some of the deaths, but no doubt the assurance had come from Artemis itself. Details on his general appearance were still sketchy at best.

Aquiring a newspaper, he neared the convention center. Time to find a place relatively out-of-sight to wait.

Karasu continued to follow Grammian, still steaming at his bad attitude. Why can't all men be like Andreus... she sighed. That reminds me. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed home. She never had any concerns regarding interception of her phone calls on any of her phones, as Zane tinkered with the phones as well. When she thought about it, she wondered why he didn't go into business for some mega-corp. and patent all of this technology he came up with, but he never did. I guess this is what he preferred.

"Andreus, it's Karasu. I'm going to need your hearing skills desperately. Nico is supposed to meet Grammian at the north entrance to the convention center at 7:00. I'll have to trail them from the roof unless they go inside. I will need you to listen to their conversation. I hope you will do this for both our sakes. I do not trust Grammian one bit. I'm following him now.

There is a highly trained sniper after Grammian, and he may be around as well. Myself, Nico, or even you may end up a target. Your cybernetic senses will be most helpful. Aside from that, I know that you want to see Nico as well… but please, do not approach him unless given the go ahead. I don’t want to scare him off. After all, I am supposed to keep him alive. I would like your input on that as well.

As to where we should meet, I'm going to have to call you back on that. On the wall in the room you slept in when you were at my apartment last time, is a cell phone. It's by the door. It is secure. You can reach me on it, and I can reach you on it, but it cannot make any other calls. You just dial '1' to reach me. We can keep in contact this way.

Can you please bring my cape too? It's hanging by the door. The rain is finally letting up and I could use something else to wear. That's it for now I guess. I hope you are faring well. It'll be nice to see a friendly face." She smiled. "Goodbye."

Karasu was still smiling inside. There was no one like Andreus. No one.
_____________________________________

Just as she had caught up to Grammian, her other cell rang. "Talk to me." said Karasu.

"I just spoke to Ace and let it slip that you were a woman," Zane knew Karasu would be pissed, "and now he wants a favor of you. We can talk about that after tonight." Zane hung up.

Damn it! Karasu mentally punched Zane. She did not like that fact known. It gave her an advantage and now Ace wants a favor? Great.

She continued to follow Grammian and tried to forget about Zane and Ace for now.

Karasu continued to follow Grammian, still steaming at his bad attitude. Why can't all men be like Andreus... she sighed. That reminds me. She pulled out her cell phone and dialed home. She never had any concerns regarding interception of her phone calls on any of her phones, as Zane tinkered with the phones as well. When she thought about it, she wondered why he didn't go into business for some mega-corp. and patent all of this technology he came up with, but he never did. I guess this is what he preferred.

"Andreus, it's Karasu. I'm going to need your hearing skills desperately. Nico is supposed to meet Grammian at the north entrance to the convention center at 7:00. I'll have to trail them from the roof unless they go inside. I will need you to listen to their conversation. I hope you will do this for both our sakes. I do not trust Grammian one bit. I'm following him now.

There is a highly trained sniper after Grammian, and he may be around as well. Myself, Nico, or even you may end up a target. Your cybernetic senses will be most helpful. Aside from that, I know that you want to see Nico as well… but please, do not approach him unless given the go ahead. I don’t want to scare him off. After all, I am supposed to keep him alive. I would like your input on that as well.

As to where we should meet, I'm going to have to call you back on that. On the wall in the room you slept in when you were at my apartment last time, is a cell phone. It's by the door. It is secure. You can reach me on it, and I can reach you on it, but it cannot make any other calls. You just dial '1' to reach me. We can keep in contact this way.

Can you please bring my cape too? It's hanging by the door. The rain is finally letting up and I could use something else to wear. That's it for now I guess. I hope you are faring well. It'll be nice to see a friendly face." She smiled. "Goodbye."

Karasu was still smiling inside. There was no one like Andreus. No one.
_____________________________________

Just as she had caught up to Grammian, her other cell rang. "Talk to me." said Karasu.

"I just spoke to Ace and let it slip that you were a woman," Zane knew Karasu would be pissed, "and now he wants a favor of you. We can talk about that after tonight." Zane hung up.

Damn it! Karasu mentally punched Zane. She did not like that fact known. It gave her an advantage and now Ace wants a favor? Great.

She continued to follow Grammian and tried to forget about Zane and Ace for now.

The north entrance to the convension centre. Got it
He put his cloak back on and as an afterthought slung Karasu's over his shoulder
'A sniper?' He sighed. He detested snipers. If death was not to be avoided then it should be done with respect, not where noone could see hiding like a timid creature. All the same....
He pulled out a small throwing knife and knelt down with his head bowed. He muttered some words over it and felt the cold steel of the blade.
'Now' He walked out of the building with his cloak about his shoulders so noone could see his face as was usual for him. He also shielded Karasu's cloak from the rain, since he didn't want to bring her an already wet one. When he reached the convension centre he stood himself in a shadowed corner and pulled out the phone
'Karasu? I am at the convension centre. I cannot see a sniper yet, but I doubt that means much. They simply may not be here yet' He looked up and around, then bowed his head again
'I simply wish a better meeting place had been chosen. If it is true people are after you Grammian or Nico, they have ample oppertunity for a shot. Be....be careful Karasu...' He shut the phone off and carried on searching carefully with his bionics for any trace of a sniper.
If I fail to spot him, my friends life is forfiet
And he valued this friend more than he cared to admit

Karasu continued following Grammian. She knew he would not miss going to the convention center, as he had no way to contact Nico to change the meeting place. She stopped and called Andreus again.

"Andreus, it's me. I don't think there is any point in following Grammian. I think we should meet two blocks directly behind the convention center. There is an alley. Meet me there and I can grab the things I asked you to bring and my cloak. If you don't mind carrying the snipe rifle until I hit the roof, I'd appreciate it, as it's a pain to lug around. Both of us have to stay out of sight even now. Nico could already be in the area waiting."

She thought of his weight and asked, "Is it possible that you can jump roofs?" She chuckled to herself imagining him falling through the roof, and then floor by floor, like in a cartoon. "Scratch that... Someone should be on the ground anyway. My main concern is hearing every single word said between Grammian and Nico, and if you can zero in on any documents, that would be a plus."

Karasu continued, "If they leave, we have to follow them and stay out of sight. Whatever happens we cannot lose them. I would not doubt if Grammian might tell Nico that I was someone to fear. If that turns out to be the case, I'll step right in. I refuse to let him do such a thing. I have a lot of cash on me, as usual, and I will toss a huge roll to Nico. I want him to know I'm there to help. Also, I'll toss you the rifle and you can shoot Grammian in the foot or something, and we'll follow Nico."

"I don't expect the sniper here. I hate sniping. I am a trained Professional. I didn't have the choice, but it's never been my thing… shooting from so far away. Then again, I am always told I fight in the wrong century with archaic weapons… throwing knives, stars, sais, katanas, wakizashis and such." Karasu chuckled. “Perhaps I am.”

"In any case, I really don't know how the sniper could possibly know about this meeting, but it doesn't hurt to be safe. I can tell you this man is deadly accurate. I really need your eyes and ears, and I need you to tell me what Nico and Grammian say as they say it. We can keep our cell phones open and you can tell me as they speak. We need to find hiding places before Grammian gets there... Nico may already be hiding around there. I'll start on the roof. There is a coffee shop across the street. Perhaps you can sit in there with a paper until they meet, and then move. For now, lets meet in that alley and you can give me those things. Thanks for lugging it all for me, especially that damned snipe rifle. Thank you again Andreus. Goodbye."

Karasu had that wonderful warm feeling again. The one she always got when she spoke with Andreus, even in this perilous situation.

He felt frostbite crawling up his fingers and realised perhaps it would have been better to wait for the snow to stop before he left.
He turned on his internal heaters and rubbed his hands together briskly then turned left through the thick trees.
He had only gone a few steps when an unholy roar tore through the forest and an unnaturally large bear burst from the undergrowth, the bear swiped at Andreus with a huge paw but his reflexes saved him at the last second. He jumped back so the bear only gave him a glancing blow which sent him flying like a doll and he crashed against a tree.His internal heaters cut out as he struggled to his feet, the bear was charging towards him desperate for blood.
There was a screech of neumatics as Andreus lept into the air and landed clinging to the bears back, he stabbed into the bears flesh with his fist but although it sunk into flesh no blood was apparent. The bear seemed unaffected by Andreus's attack although it was a little suprised at the leap, it tried to pry Andreus off by reaching round and goring him into a small stain but it could not reach. Then with Andreus still on its back it leapt backwards intending to squash him like a bug. The man lept free just in time and jumped onto the bears front before it could refocus or get its wind back, he punched swiftly two times, one into each eye mangling nerves and what brains the bear had.
The bear in its death throes managed to throw Andreus off and leave a gash on his face plate but it eventually ceaced struggling and lay dead on the frozen ground. Andreus stood panting for a moment while distant roars of bears were heard, and also....gun shots....]

OOC: Just pointing somthing from an old RP, and that with his leg buildings are no obstacle :p no time for a real post, but I'll make one tommorrow :D

Zion smirked slightly to himself as he watched Grammian floor himself & high-tail it out the door, snatching something from a desk drawer in the process. If he'd had his rifle with him, the unfortunate geezer would have been missing the top-half of his head before he even got wind of his presence...

No matter, someone had blown his cover & it was time to move. Complacent snipers went home in body-bags with half-inch holes in their torsos. His mark slipped away, unseen by his binocular-augmented eyes. He lowered the set he'd brought with him, then prepared to move down into the street. He'd have to move quickly now if he was to collect on Grammian or Nico Whateverthefuckhisnameis.

Within moments, he was back at street-level & walking towards his appartment to change & re-arm for the task ahead...

Karasu reached the alley and stayed on the roof waiting for Andreus to show up. The sniper knows something is up, since Grammian hit the deck and left... Hopefully he won't find Grammian on his way home. She had an uneasy feeling...

Karasu reached the alley and stayed on the roof waiting for Andreus to show up. The sniper knows something is up, since Grammian hit the deck and left... Hopefully he won't find Grammian on his way home. She had an uneasy feeling...

Karasu felt her cloak being put around her shoulders as Andreus slipped it over her
'I am sorry if I am late' Andreus smiled apologetically as his bionic eye flashed a red beam out into the rainy gloom
'I have not seen anyone who would even know we are here, but.....' He frowned and noticed somthing behind Karasu
'Get down!' He threw her on the floor roughly as a shot richocheyed off his shoulder. He grunted and winced but remained upright
'It's the other man from the rape' He dropped to one knee sheilded his face with his forearm, and another shot clanged into it. He searched the gloom and spotted more movement
'There!' He pointed to the shooter

Syphis Vixont sat at his desk, reading through Ace's reports and speculations. He was Gaeltach's Minister of Defense, and as such liked to know exactly what was going on internally. The prospect of genetic manipulation had definite advantages, which had already been demonstrated in other nations. But for the moment it was still speculation. He was somewhat troubled by the fact that Artemis was keeping this project in the dark. They would require heavy monitoring from here on out to discover what was really going on.

"Good work. Now prove it."

He dismissed Ace with those curt parting words and began to prepare an update for the Sovereigness. Time to update the Diamonds commander as well. The Elite of the Gaelic armed forces would certainly have a hand in things if it came to that.

----

Nicola looked up from his paper at the sounds of gunfire. It was relatively nearby, but the source was muffled by buildings and city noise. Sit tight, Nico. Wait.

Karasu felt her cloak being put around her shoulders as Andreus slipped it over her
'I am sorry if I am late' Andreus smiled apologetically as his bionic eye flashed a red beam out into the rainy gloom
'I have not seen anyone who would even know we are here, but.....' He frowned and noticed somthing behind Karasu
'Get down!' He threw her on the floor roughly as a shot richocheyed off his shoulder. He grunted and winced but remained upright
'It's the other man from the rape' He dropped to one knee sheilded his face with his forearm, and another shot clanged into it. He searched the gloom and spotted more movement
'There!' He pointed to the shooter

"Thank you Andreus," Karasu smiled up at him. Suddenly she was thrown to the ground. A shot rang out, and ricocheted off Andreus' shoulder. "Andreus!" Karasu yelled! "Give me my rifle!" Andreus gave her the rifle instantly. Karasu pointed it and the laser scope in the direction Andreus pointed. "Cover me w/your cyber arm if you can!"

Karasu aimed her laser scope right between the eyes of the grinning bastard and before he could get a shot off, she shot him dead between the eyes. Quite surprising and lucky since she had no time to set up a shot or barely aim. "Whoa! I can't believe I hit him accurately... that's almost impossible." Karasu breathed heavily and sighed. Why tonight of all nights.

Karasu looked at Andreus appreciatively. "Thank you for saving my life. I would be dead right now if it wasn't for you. Are you OK Andreus, because if you're not, I can do tonight alone?" She already knew his answer.

"I plan to hit the roof and catch everything from up there. I do not know where Nico is hiding or Grammian. I think the two of them meeting out in front like this is risky for them, considering the sniper, so they will likely move. Do you want to go to the coffeehouse across the street… or hit the roof with me and find an alley next to the convention center to wait? Maybe you have thought of another place to wait. I just know we have to get there now."

Karasu’s heart was pounding like a jackhammer. How could she be so careless as to let someone come up behind her? The night ahead promised to be interesting at the very least, and she was concerned about Andreus’ arm. Nevertheless, it was wonderful being with him again.

QUOTE=Gaeltach]Syphis Vixont sat at his desk, reading through Ace's reports and speculations. He was Gaeltach's Minister of Defense, and as such liked to know exactly what was going on internally. The prospect of genetic manipulation had definite advantages, which had already been demonstrated in other nations. But for the moment it was still speculation. He was somewhat troubled by the fact that Artemis was keeping this project in the dark. They would require heavy monitoring from here on out to discover what was really going on.

"Good work. Now prove it."

He dismissed Ace with those curt parting words and began to prepare an update for the Sovereigness. Time to update the Diamonds commander as well. The Elite of the Gaelic armed forces would certainly have a hand in things if it came to that.

----

Nicola looked up from his paper at the sounds of gunfire. It was relatively nearby, but the source was muffled by buildings and city noise. Sit tight, Nico. Wait.[/QUOTE]

Prove it. Vixont was always so blunt. I am going to have to meet with Zane and let him know about Artemis, and... this made him sweat, find out if the assassin would be his date for the Ball for the Sovereigness. After all, there would be Artemis personnel there, and it would be an opportunity for her to see some of them and hopefully get some info.

What if she was ugly? Ace was a bit vain. He was a nice looking man and did not want to be seen with any woman who was not nice looking. He was quite unaware that Karasu, known to him as Karina now, was a stunning woman who turned heads wherever she went. In her profession, this was not an asset at all.

Ace picked up his cell and called Zane. After a few rings, Zane answered.

"Zane."

"It's Ace. We need to meet now. Where are you located?"

Now? Zane thought. He was so demanding. "I'm at a coffee shop on Vine and 3rd." He replied.

"I'll be there in 2 minutes."

Sure enough, in two minutes, Ace was there interrupting Zane's quiet coffee and reading time.

"Let's talk outside," insisted Ace.

Zane closed his book and brought his coffee with him. They found a bench and sat down. Ace was chain-smoking as usual.

Very quietly, he told Zane about Artemis being hired to do some work for them; but that they have been doing genetic testing and keeping it under wraps, even from them. He told Zane that his superior likely was concerned that they were doing this for a foreign government. That was Ace's guess anyway.

"The point is," Ace took a drag on his cigarette, "Artemis needs to be watched as well. They likely have people trying to make sure this information isn't leaked." He took a long drag on his cigarette. "Dangerous people. This is going far above me into the government now."

"I will let the appropriate people know," replied Zane.

Ace got up to leave and turned, "What about the ball?" he asked.

"I haven't gotten around to telling her yet," Zane replied.

"I see. Let me know when you get an answer." Ace turned around, got into his car, and left.

Zane would make one more phone call before he went back into the coffeehouse.
___________________________________________________

Karasu and Andreus were making their way to the convention center when Karasu's phone rang. "Talk to me," she said.

"I just met with Ace. The lab that has done this genetic manipulation is Artemis Labs. You have to watch out for them as well. They have gone beyond the government contract. They will stop at nothing to extinguish any proof of their dealings and experiments. Their human genetic experiments, of which Nico is a product, bio-weapons, and other illicit experiments, possibly nuclear weapons, maybe for another government, have been hidden from the Gaeltach government. The government now knows about it and needs proof." Zane said just as bluntly as Vixont stated it to Ace.

"I am a little busy here, you know." Karasu stated irritably. "I've already been shot at tonight." She sighed. "OK, Artemis, I'll remember all of this and find out what I can. Goodbye." She hung up.

"Andreus, have you ever heard of Artemis Labs?" she asked.

Karasu and Andreus were making their way to the convention center when Karasu's phone rang. "Talk to me," she said.

"I just met with Ace. The lab that has done this genetic manipulation is Artemis Labs. You have to watch out for them as well. They have gone beyond the government contract, and their human genetic and other illicit experiments hidden even from the government. The government now knows about it and needs proof." Zane said just as bluntly as Vixont stated it to Ace.

"I am a little busy here, you know." Karasu stated irritably. "I've already been shot at tonight." She sighed. "OK, Artemis, I'll remember and find out what I can. Goodbye." She hung up.

"Andreus, have you ever heard of Artemis Labs?" she asked.

Andreus bit the metal shot from his arm out and spat it onto the ground with a metallic clink. He flexed his fingers experimentally and seemed satisfied.
'I am sorry about earlier, are you hurt? I did not mean to throw you down so hard' He looked at her shoulder for any scratches and when he found none he thought for a second
'Atemis labs? A laborotory?' He remembered the strange genetic makeup
'No. Are they important?'

Grammian heard the gunshots, and resisted the urge to go towards them with his pistol drawn. He instead pressed his hands firmly into his pockets and continued towards his meeting place.

Heroes get killed, old man, he reminded himself.

Gastwein read the printout as it faxed to his mobile terminal. A private investigator? He couldn't believe he'd been foolish enough to run into the situation without waiting for orders from higher up. He was even more surprized he was still alive after all that. He growled to himself, just what was an investigator doing at the warehouse anyway? Artemis was the only group to know about it. And only a select few at that. Artemis and... dammit that freak had been here. That was the only plausible explanation for a leak.

Better find Grammian and find out what he knows before things got any worse. He shifted surveilance to HQ, and climbed up into the drivers seat. Shifting the big paneled van into gear, he pulled out into the road, entirely uncertain of where he was going.

----

Foot traffic at this hour was relatively light around this part of town. Each time someone appeared within view, Nico carefully analyzed them. But none approached the service door so he was fairly certain he could just dismiss them. He stepped beside the door so the shadows would fall at least partially over his face. It was safer this way for both of them.

Grammian paused at a street corner, the convention centre leering in full view. The bottle in his pocket had never felt so comforting in all the time he'd carried liquor around with him. He took it out and took a swig of the golden liquid that sloshed around inside it. It tasted good, sweet honey that warmed his insides.

He shoved the bottle back into his pocket and walked over to the north entrance, just like Nico's note had instructed him to.

Nico stood a little straighter as a lone figure crossed the long walkway from the street. The man carried himself a bit uneasily, and looked past his prime. But he had to have known what he was doing or he wouldn't be in business anymore.. Or in some semblence of business anyway.

He waited until the figure got within earshot, then stepped slightly out of the shadows. His hand closed around the stolen pistol in his pocket reflexively.

"Mr. Grammian, I presume?"

Grammian nodded grimly, aware that his client could very easily kill him. "I'm assuming you're 'Vincent'. I think we've got a great deal to talk about."

His right hand gripped his own pistol in the pocket of his jacket. He doubted 'Vincent' would give him reason to use it, but he'd been proven wrong too often to start making assumptions regarding his physical well-being.

He smiled thinly at that, but his eyes were ice-cold as always.

"Thank you for coming out here. Yes... we have much to talk about."

He had a slight accent which placed him as being from north Gaeltach, or possibly lands beyond. It was difficult to determine with any degree of certainty. Nico released his grip on the pistol and lifted a grate covering a utilities duct, motioning the investigator to hop in. Following, he set the grate down lightly and led the way to wall-mounted emergency lighting around a corner from the opening.

"Forgive me, but I don't think it's safe to be out in the open."

"I can honestly say I don't blame you. You know you're a real news item, Mr. Kruschev." Grammian sighed and leaned against the wall. "Since you know a hell of a lot more than I do at the moment, I think you'd better start explaining."

The surroundings slammed the message home to Grammian; if Nico wanted to, he could kill him and no one would really know about it for days. Maybe weeks. It wasn't a pleasant thought.

"You catch on quickly. That's good."

Nico laughed quietly and leaned against a wall himself, hands in his pockets again. No sense in keeping secrets anymore.

"First things first. I'm not an 'escaped mental patient.' I am a product of Artemis. Or property. The distinction gets... convoluted. That warehouse I had you check on.. When I was hiding there, it was full of weapons. If you can think of it, it was there. Possibly even nuclear weapons, though I can't prove it. Artemis is experimenting with biological agents as well, currently smallpox and ebola."

He withdrew a few of the files from his coat and handed them over. They detailed resistance testing and the effects of different strains.

"I think they are dealing these weapons under the table.." His voice dropped to a hush reflexively. Very soon it would be apparant what Grammian thought of all this.

Grammian raised an eyebrow as he flicked through the files. "Chemicals, biologicals, nuclear... they've certainly got their fingers in every pie." He shut the files and passed them back to Nico.

"Listen, Kruschev, let's be frank with each other. You're a product of this 'Artemis' bunch. That's fine, I don't give a damn. This 'Artemis' bunch have been selling all kinds of nasty weapons to undesirables. That's a job for the government to deal with, maybe the UN. Not a Private Investigator. Especially not one who should have quit decades ago. This is a problem, I admit, but it's not one I can deal with."

He sighed and shook his head. "I'm not sure what you were hoping to achieve by telling me this."

"I was hoping you would offer help voluntarily. You're involved now, like it or not, and sooner or later they will come for you. These people stop at nothing. But, if you help to expose this little operation, the price on my head will be enough to see you into an early retirement at least. And I'm sure the government would be happy to compensate you..."

He pushed himself off the wall subtly, adopting a less relaxed stance, clasping his hands in front of him.

Grammian sighed again and shook his head.

"Sorry, son. If I was in my twenties again, I'd jump in on this whole-heartedly. But, as you can see, I ain't twenty anymore. Far from it. If you need me to run a license plate, check out a building or anything like that, then give me a call. But I'm not going to go blundering after some group that is powerful enough to create an assassin like yourself and own WMDs. It's not in my line of work."

He pulled his jacket about his shoulders. "I'm sorry. But I'm at the age where I'm the only person I look out for anymore." He turned and made his way to the exit.

He grabbed Grammian firmly by the shoulder, halting his escape.

"Very well. But I'm afraid you will have to wait for the rest of your payment until I'm finished with this. Now, take this to the end, and it will let you out in the electrician's shop. Leave through the building. ...and don't show anyone that bracelet if you want to stay out of this."

Nico steered him in the direction of the building. It was worth a shot, but he could understand the man's reluctance to help. Without another word, he left in the opposite direction to leave by the employee exit.

"Andreus, Artemis is the lab that created Nico. They genetically engineered him and who knows what else. Artemis also has been working on weapons under the table... new, advanced, and possibly for another government." Karasu explained. "Artemis is a legit lab, but they've got some shady dealings, and some horrible human experimenting going on. Nico is a product of this."

Karasu and Andreus reached the top of the convention center, and Andreus went to the ground so he could see and hear better. Karasu pulled out the silencers for her rifle and her Sig. She did not want any more attention. Two gunshots were enough.

They opened their cell phones for immediate access. "Andreus... That is Grammian walking across the street. Nico must be right by the door. Focus in and listen."

Andreus repeated everything word for word. When Karasu realized they were going underground, she knew they had to follow. As soon as Nico replaced the grate, Karasu jumped from the roof to the alley. "Andreus, we have to follow, but YOU must stay out of sight. You look threatening because of your size, unfortunately. I will stay out of sight for a while, and then I will step in at the right time. I must speak with Nico, at least briefly."

Andreus and Karasu followed silently and put the grate down silently, but stayed around the corner initially.

QUOTE: "I can honestly say I don't blame you. You know you're a real news item, Mr. Kruschev." Grammian sighed and leaned against the wall. "Since you know a hell of a lot more than I do at the moment, I think you'd better start explaining." END QUOTE.

Karasu rolled her eyes. He is even demanding with Nico!

They continued to listen:

QUOTE: "First things first. I'm not an 'escaped mental patient.' I am a product of Artemis. Or property. The distinction gets... convoluted. That warehouse I had you check on.. When I was hiding there, it was full of weapons. If you can think of it, it was there. Possibly even nuclear weapons, though I can't prove it. Artemis is experimenting with biological agents as well, currently smallpox and Ebola."

He withdrew a few of the files from his coat and handed them over. They detailed resistance testing and the effects of different strains. END QUOTE.

"Andreus, can you see anything in the files? Are they open?" Karasu whispered, while her eyes bugged out, Ebola!

QUOTE: "I think they are dealing these weapons under the table.." His voice dropped to a hush reflexively. END QUOTE.

Nico was very cautious. Both Karasu and Andreus memorized his image, Andreus' cybernetics getting far more information than Karasu could get. They continued to listen:

QUOTE: Grammian raised an eyebrow as he flicked through the files. "Chemicals, biologicals, nuclear... they've certainly got their fingers in every pie." He shut the files and passed them back to Nico.

"Listen, Kruschev, let's be frank with each other. You're a product of this 'Artemis' bunch. That's fine, I don't give a damn. This 'Artemis' bunch have been selling all kinds of nasty weapons to undesirables. That's a job for the government to deal with, maybe the UN. Not a Private Investigator. Especially not one who should have quit decades ago. This is a problem, I admit, but it's not one I can deal with."

He sighed and shook his head. "I'm not sure what you were hoping to achieve by telling me this." END QUOTE.

Idiot! Karasu thought. They continued to listen... He turned him down! "Andreus, you stay here for a moment. Keep our cells open... I am going after him. We will see how it goes, and then if Nico will talk to me, you come in. Perhaps you can follow at a further distance."

QUOTE: Nico steered him in the direction of the building. It was worth a shot, but he could understand the man's reluctance to help. Without another word, he left in the opposite direction to leave by the employee exit. END QUOTE.

Karasu silently followed from a distance until Nico turned the other way to leave a different direction. Suddenly they were facing each other.

Karasu spoke calmly and softly so as not to startle Nico. "Nicola. Please listen! I will help you with the government, and exposing Artemis. I know more than Grammian does, and someone, I believe through the government, has paid me to keep you alive, so I will not turn you in. I swear. Hear me out Nico.

The government has been suspicious of Artemis for a while, and you have proof. You are walking proof. I can get these documents to the Secretary of State, who has been suspicious of Artemis for a while. You can help expose Artemis. I can't believe those bastards fucked with you like that."

Karasu had an empathetic look on her face. Looking at Nico’s fangs made her angry. How could they just mess with unwilling human beings, or any human beings in such a manner? She was disgusted with Artemis.

"I hired Grammian to try to find you, and get information on the warehouse. Grammian already has a professional sniper after him, and it is likely you do too… maybe even me and I have a friend helping me out. I’d like to introduce you to him."

Andreus came out of the shadows, his cloak covering his face. "This is Andreus. He also has been looking for you, and will not turn you in. He too, wants to find the bastards who did this to you. You see, you are not alone. Now that the government is suspicious of Artemis, the ball is rolling, and things are in your favor. The only problem is Artemis, who I'm sure hired the sniper and will go to any lengths to keep their dirty little secret."

Karasu could not believe she got that all out. "Excuse my faux pax, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Karina."

She was hoping he would believe her. "I'm telling the honest to God truth. We want to help you. Please let us help. The government wants to shut down this horrible human testing they are doing, as well as bio-weapons or nuclear weapons."

Karasu pleaded, “Please let us help you. The three of us and my contacts can do this, but we need you.” She walked up to him with a desperate look in her eyes. “Please trust us. I know it’s like jumping off a cliff, but everything I have said is the truth. On top of all this is the fact that I need to be with you to keep you alive.” She begged him, “Please?”

Nico was genuinly surprized that he hadn't heard these two follow them down into the utilities shaft. Sound had a way of bouncing off the concrete walls and with his enhanced hearing... He growled softly, hands held loosely at his sides in a slightly defensive posture as she assaulted him with a torrent of information. As she spoke, the rage only grew, but he managed to keep it in check. Rage that someone had been able to tail him all this time and he hadn't a clue.

"Karina..." he breathed softly. Too softly. He stepped forward to the word, closing the distance between them.

Lightening quick, he shot out a hand and grabbed her roughly by the throat. All in one motion, he lifted her off the ground and slammed her against the nearest wall, pinning her there with a feral growl.

"Make a move and I'll crush her throat, tin man," he breathed over his shoulder, again in that dangerously soft tone.

"You, young lady," he began, narrowing his eyes and reestablishing a commanding grip to keep her off the ground, "have been spying on me. Give me a good reason not to kill you now."

He growled softly once more, baring those fangs slightly.

Nico was genuinly surprized that he hadn't heard these two follow them down into the utilities shaft. Sound had a way of bouncing off the concrete walls and with his enhanced hearing... He growled softly, hands held loosely at his sides in a slightly defensive posture as she assaulted him with a torrent of information. As she spoke, the rage only grew, but he managed to keep it in check. Rage that someone had been able to tail him all this time and he hadn't a clue.

"Karina..." he breathed softly. Too softly. He stepped forward to the word, closing the distance between them.

Lightening quick, he shot out a hand and grabbed her roughly by the throat. All in one motion, he lifted her off the ground and slammed her against the nearest wall, pinning her there with a feral growl.

"Make a move and I'll crush her throat, tin man," he breathed over his shoulder, again in that dangerously soft tone.

"You, young lady," he began, narrowing his eyes and reestablishing a commanding grip to keep her off the ground, "have been spying on me. Give me a good reason not to kill you now."

He growled softly once more, baring those fangs slightly.

As usual, Karina had her gloves on. With the flick of her wrist, a huge dagger plunged into his side and he dropped her. She immediately jumped back next to Andreus. She had made sure the wound was superficial, but painful enough that he would drop her.

"I didn't want to do that, but I had no choice. We have not been spying on you! We've been looking for you! This is the first time we have ever seen you. We want to help you!

I can get your information to the people you want to have it! I have a connection to the Secretary of Defense. How are you going to get this information to the right people without ending up dead?" Karasu was talking as fast as she could in order to get this out before he quit listening.

Karasu continued, "Either way, I am in charge of keeping you alive. It is not my choice anymore. Unfortunately.

"It's a superficial wound." Karasu told him. "You've got to let us help you... or I'll have to follow you and do my best to knock off all the hitmen that are likely after you. I don't want to do that... especially because it's unnecessary."

Karasu grabbed Andreus' hand for comfort. She had no idea what the genetics had done to his mind, but he was easily enraged... far more than she could have imagined.

"Nico," Karasu said softly, "please let us help you."

He looked at his hand, still growling. Blood. Always blood. But this time it was his. An instinct to fight, to kill, was kicking in. He shifted his weight, poised to strike. Forcing himself to override the instinct, he calmly approached her once more.

"I have no way of telling whether or not Artemis sent you, and by the looks of that tin can, I have my suspicions.."

With a cold spark in his eye, he grabbed her throat again and pulled her directly in front of his face, dropping his voice to a harsh whisper.

"I don't need help. Try this little trick again," with his free hand he grabbed the wrist which had produced the dagger and lifted it beside her face, "and I will kill you."

He let go abruptly, almost shoving her back against her metallic companion, then backed slowly to the corner for a quick escape through the grate. A cornered predator was a dangerous thing, and Nico did not like feeling as if his back was to the wall.

Grammian let himself out via the electrician's shop, as per Nico's request. It looked like it was going to rain again. Typical. He shrugged his shoulders, pulled his jacket tight around himself and started walking home.

What a night. You're lucky that Kruschev guy didn't just kill you to make sure you didn't tell anyone. Maybe he's got a soft spot for old idiots.

He looked at his hand, still growling. Blood. Always blood. But this time it was his. An instinct to fight, to kill, was kicking in. He shifted his weight, poised to strike. Forcing himself to override the instinct, he calmly approached her once more.

"I have no way of telling whether or not Artemis sent you, and by the looks of that tin can, I have my suspicions.."

With a cold spark in his eye, he grabbed her throat again and pulled her directly in front of his face, dropping his voice to a harsh whisper.

"I don't need help. Try this little trick again," with his free hand he grabbed the wrist which had produced the dagger and lifted it beside her face, "and I will kill you."

He let go abruptly, almost shoving her back against her metallic companion, then backed slowly to the corner for a quick escape through the grate. A cornered predator was a dangerous thing, and Nico did not like feeling as if his back was to the wall.

Karasu let him pick her up. If she felt threatened, she would never have let him get that close a second time. Let him think he has the upper hand. He shoved her against the wall by the neck again. Karasu was not concerned even when he grabbed her arm. She had other weapons. He dropped her, as she expected, so she did not have to use any other weapons on him.

"I think you have it backwards" seethed Karasu, as she pulled out her pistol. She fired a warning shot as he was going through the grate. Her eyes narrowed as she yelled after him, "Don't you EVER try to corner me like that again, GOT IT Kruschev." It was a statement far more than a question, and she meant it. She could have sliced him a second time with the switch dagger in her other glove when he picked her up, but chose not to. She could have shot him dead. She had weapons for every situation.

"Now what?"

OOC: *sigh* You couldn't just let him leave? :rolleyes:

IC:
Luke walked around the small cluttered kitchen. It seemed Mr. Grammian wasn't the neatest person, but at least everything seemed to lie in organized chaos. A small study to the right of the main enterance was in no better shape, the desk as cluttered as the kitchen counters. He pulled the chain to a desk lamp, providing the room with a small amount of light. Gastwein stood just inside the front door, out of sight to anyone entering unless they happened to turn around. Nothing to do now, but wait for the investigator's return.

Grammian had had a few more gulps of the booze on his way home, his steps becoming more and more disorganised as he drew closer to the warmth and comfort of his sanctum sanctorum. It was pretty late when he finally arrived, and his head was swimming from the liquor. He rummaged in his pockets for the key to his door, and clumsily slid it into the lock when managed to find it. Home at last. What a day.

Gastwein took a few steps back when he heard the key in the lock so the door would not hit him when it opened. Removing the Beretta, he pulled back the hammer and leveled it. Luke leaned casually against the desk, watching the investigator as he entered.

"Welcome home, my tired friend. Quite a place you have here, but I was wondering if you woudln't mind accompanying me to my office?"

He stretched out a hand to indicate the door and the black sedan parked across the street. Gastwein stepped up behind Grammian slowly, making his presence and the weapon known.

"I was hoping you would offer help voluntarily. You're involved now, like it or not, and sooner or later they will come for you. These people stop at nothing."

Nico's words of warning ran through Grammian's head as he stood still. Why hadn't he paid attention? Why had he been so stubborn?

Because what he wanted of you was suicide, old man. At least this way there's still a chance you'll come out of this one alive. Just keep your head and everything will be alright.

Grammian sighed and raised his hands. "I know the drill. Might want to take my weapons off me. There's one in my right hand jacket pocket and another in my left ankle holster."

Getting them to take his weapons off him immediately was the smart thing to do; getting caught with them later wasn't.

He looked at his hand, still growling. Blood. Always blood. But this time it was his. An instinct to fight, to kill, was kicking in. He shifted his weight, poised to strike. Forcing himself to override the instinct, he calmly approached her once more.

"I have no way of telling whether or not Artemis sent you, and by the looks of that tin can, I have my suspicions.."

With a cold spark in his eye, he grabbed her throat again and pulled her directly in front of his face, dropping his voice to a harsh whisper.

"I don't need help. Try this little trick again," with his free hand he grabbed the wrist which had produced the dagger and lifted it beside her face, "and I will kill you."

He let go abruptly, almost shoving her back against her metallic companion, then backed slowly to the corner for a quick escape through the grate. A cornered predator was a dangerous thing, and Nico did not like feeling as if his back was to the wall.

'Forgive him lord, this man is troubled beyond the normal limits of the human capasity' Andreus muttered and then stepped protectivley infront of Karasu
'We are not your enemy my friend! I will admit, neither are we the closest of companions, but we are in legue with no corporation I assure you!' He called down the tube. He placed a hand on Karasu's weapon gently
'Let him go. I am certain we will have another chance to talk. On his terms or ours I do not know, but talk we will.'

'Forgive him lord, this man is troubled beyond the normal limits of the human capasity' Andreus muttered and then stepped protectivley infront of Karasu
'We are not your enemy my friend! I will admit, neither are we the closest of companions, but we are in legue with no corporation I assure you!' He called down the tube. He placed a hand on Karasu's weapon gently
'Let him go. I am certain we will have another chance to talk. On his terms or ours I do not know, but talk we will.'

"Thanks for everything Andreus. I'm sure you're right. I'm used to having to kill someone, not keep them alive, so my anger never made any difference, and I didn't have to hold back. I just don't know how to keep him alive without following him every minute," Karasu sighed.

"I'm also sorry he called you that name. He isn't exactly normal, but it was still rude." Tin Man She shuddered. Hasn't Andreus been through enough?

"Why don't we go back to the apartment and just relax? Perhaps taking our minds off this for a while will give us a fresh outlook tomorrow. I have a lot of DVDs... what do you say?" She turned, held his hands, and smiled up at him, hoping he would agree to kick back and relax for a bit.

Nico jumped at the shot, still a bit unaccustomed to gunfire, especially when it was directed at him. He hated having to leave through the grate, but there was little option to get out of the shaft quickly. He scrambled to a patch of deep shadow to examine himself. His side burned, but it didn't seem like anything too serious. And there was a scratch on his leg, presumably from ricochet or the mad scramble to get out of the tunnel. Damn that woman, he cursed, cleaning himself up as much as he could. If she wasn't from Artemis, then how could she know so much? But if she was, why allow him to escape? He stood, mulling it over while searching for a safe place to take shelter.

----

Gastwein kept his own pistol trained, but used his free hand to find and remove the weapons. After a brief search to be sure those were the only ones, he stood up once more and nodded to Luke.

"Thank you for cooperating. Now if you will please join me..."

Luke led the way to the vehicle and held open the back door to follow the investigator in, while Gastwein slid behind the wheel.

Grammian had to double over to get into the back of the car, but he managed nonetheless. He flopped onto the seat and sighed, glad to finally be off of his feet.

"This is a damn fine car you guys have got yourselves here... bet it set you back quite a bit. They don't make 'em like they used to, but still... damned fine." He said, adjusting himself to get comfortable in the back of the car. He produced the bottle of whisky and held it up helpfully.

"Drink?"

"I was about to offer you the same."

Luke offered the investigator a glass as the car pulled out into the street, and poured himself a small bit of gin.

"Now. I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here. Or perhaps not..." He fixed Grammian with a cryptic little grin for the briefest moment before continuing. "You have some information I have great interest in."

"I know lot's of things." Commented Grammian, as he poured some of the whisky into the glass offered to him. "But let's not kid around with each other; you have an interest in a certain Mr. Kruschev, correct?"

This guy looks like he knows the game-plan. Always refreshing to meet someone who has a clue...

"A very keen interest. You, my friend, stand in a very precarious position. But it is also an advantageous one, if you play your cards right. Kruschev has come to you, has he not?"

Grammian sniffed the booze. It was funny, it always smelled better in a glass than it did in a bottle. He sipped at it, savouring the taste.

"He has indeed. Came with a somewhat cagey proposition, I may add."

They started walking... "Oh wait. Andreus, I'm going to call Grammian from this phone booth."

Karasu dialed Grammian's cell phone number and waited for him to answer.

-----------------------------
Ace was walking quite fast as usual, dressed in Armani, cigarette dangling out of his mouth, as always. He was one to ignore all No Smoking signs. They didn’t apply to him. He was always the exception. He was above all of that. He needed to get in touch with Zane.

Ace had been curious, but a woman assassin of that caliber? This was someone he really wanted to meet. Aside from that, the information she may be able to give to him directly was vital... no go-between. As well as that advantage, she could get a good look at some of the key figures in the government, and keep her eyes open... as well as the fact that some of the top Artemis figures would be there, and for her to see them would be crucial. It would be a treat for Karina as well, if he could arrange for her to meet the Sovereigness, of course not telling the Sovereigness who she was.

The ball for the Sovereigness was the biggest social event of the year in the government. There were so many opportunities to mingle with people involved in this situation. A woman assassin… bet she looks like a dyke, he frowned. Well, it is for the country, he thought, oh so nobly. There is the possibility that she is pretty. Maybe she'd go home with me? he thought, on the other end of the spectrum. Ace could have just about any woman he wanted because of his appearance, and every woman in the government was hoping he would ask them to the ball. It was too important he go with Karina. She had to meet the Secretary of State, regardless of her appearance. He could always ditch her, he figured.

"Thanks for everything Andreus. I'm sure you're right. I'm used to having to kill someone, not keep them alive, so my anger never made any difference, and I didn't have to hold back. I just don't know how to keep him alive without following him every minute," Karasu sighed.

"I'm also sorry he called you that name. He isn't exactly normal, but it was still rude." Tin Man She shuddered. Hasn't Andreus been through enough?

"Why don't we go back to the apartment and just relax? Perhaps taking our minds off this for a while will give us a fresh outlook tomorrow. I have a lot of DVDs... what do you say?" She turned, held his hands, and smiled up at him, hoping he would agree to kick back and relax for a bit.

Andreus looked at his hand on her gun for a second as it reflected the minimal lighting and let it drop to his side
'Tin man is not the worst I have been called. I'v found people can get quite imaginative with what they call me, but our friend here is nothing but a rank amatuer at the game' He smiled mirthlessly
'An evening doing nothing sounds an interesting prospect. Perhaps you can tell me more of yourself. You almost know my life story yet I know nothing but your name....and your profession' He looked down at her and smiled slightly
'It was not hard to work out. I do not judge you for it. But I must ask, a killer is someone who kills anyone indescreetly without mercy, remourse or definition of target. Man woman or child. I cannot believe you are a killer, but I wish to hear you tell me this.' He looked at her eyes with his one biological eye and his bionic implant
'More for your sake than mine'

Andreus looked at his hand on her gun for a second as it reflected the minimal lighting and let it drop to his side
'Tin man is not the worst I have been called. I'v found people can get quite imaginative with what they call me, but our friend here is nothing but a rank amatuer at the game' He smiled mirthlessly
'An evening doing nothing sounds an interesting prospect. Perhaps you can tell me more of yourself. You almost know my life story yet I know nothing but your name....and your profession' He looked down at her and smiled slightly
'It was not hard to work out. I do not judge you for it. But I must ask, a killer is someone who kills anyone indescreetly without mercy, remourse or definition of target. Man woman or child. I cannot believe you are a killer, but I wish to hear you tell me this.' He looked at her eyes with his one biological eye and his bionic implant
'More for your sake than mine'

"Well Andreus," she began, "I grew up in a family of assassins, generation after generation. It was expected and we were taught as children, although we didn’t know about it." Karasu sighed and looked up at Andreus. "I honestly thought, and was told, that I was being trained as a circus performer, as in the Cirque Du Soleil type. That is the reason for all the gymnastics, balancing, speed, and such."

The memories from here got darker. She sighed. "I honestly didn't know what my family did for a living. When I turned twelve they revealed what I was training for and what was expected of me. It all fell into place at that point... the knife throwing, sniper training, martial arts, swords, and the like. To say I was stunned is an understatement."

At this point Karasu's eyes began to tear up. "When I turned twelve..." Karasu took a deep breath, "I was told that I had one year to hit a huge amount of marks, and if I didn't, my family would k-k-kill me a-a-and my little brother." Karasu started sobbing with these memories flooding back.

Through her tears she continued, "Needless to say, I could not let my little brother die, so I had no choice." Tears were streaming down Karasu's face. I became known to the city as “The Raven”, because of my style and speed, and my seeming ability to fly, and to this day, am known in many countries by that name, although no one had seen my face.

I had completed my task and my brother was safe. I then realized that a family friend was actually our contact... the one who hired us for others to fulfill contracts. I did this for a few years.” Karasu had knots in her stomach as she spoke.

After a few years, my contact and I went to a movie, and as we pulled in the long drive to my home, the house exploded. I was the only survivor in my entire extended family." Karasu took a few deep breaths.

"Ever since then, I have not taken a contract on anyone who didn't deserve it… downright evil dictators and the like. I refuse to kill an innocent human being... b-but I live every day knowing I killed innocent people in the past, and I can't bring them back."

Karasu began sobbing uncontrollably. She had never come to terms with her past, and doubted she ever would. "Killing someone horrible is one thing, but..." She cried some more.

"Andreus, I have never come to terms with my early past, and I don't think I ever will." She raised the back of her cloak and her leather vest to show him the large raven tattooed on her back.

"Well Andreus," she began, "I grew up in a family of assassins, generation after generation. It was expected and we were taught as children, although we didn’t know about it." Karasu sighed and looked up at Andreus. "I honestly thought, and was told, that I was being trained as a circus performer, as in the Cirque Du Soleil type. That is the reason for all the gymnastics, balancing, speed, and such."

The memories from here got darker. She sighed. "I honestly didn't know what my family did for a living. When I turned twelve they revealed what I was training for and what was expected of me. It all fell into place at that point... the knife throwing, sniper training, martial arts, swords, and the like. To say I was stunned is an understatement."

At this point Karasu's eyes began to tear up. "When I turned twelve..." Karasu took a deep breath, "I was told that I had one year to hit a huge amount of marks, and if I didn't, my family would k-k-kill me a-a-and my little brother." Karasu started sobbing with these memories flooding back.

Through her tears she continued, "Needless to say, I could not let my little brother die, so I had no choice." Tears were streaming down Karasu's face. I became known to the city as “The Raven”, because of my style and speed, and my seeming ability to fly, and to this day, am known in many countries by that name, although no one had seen my face.

I had completed my task and my brother was safe. I then realized that a family friend was actually our contact... the one who hired us for others to fulfill contracts. I did this for a few years.” Karasu had knots in her stomach as she spoke.

After a few years, my contact and I went to a movie, and as we pulled in the long drive to my home, the house exploded. I was the only survivor in my entire extended family." Karasu took a few deep breaths.

"Ever since then, I have not taken a contract on anyone who didn't deserve it… downright evil dictators and the like. I refuse to kill an innocent human being... b-but I live every day knowing I killed innocent people in the past, and I can't bring them back."

Karasu began sobbing uncontrollably. She had never come to terms with her past, and doubted she ever would. "Killing someone horrible is one thing, but..." She cried some more.

"Andreus, I have never come to terms with my early past, and I don't think I ever will." She raised the back of her cloak and her leather vest to show him the large raven tattooed on her back.

He traced the edges of the tattoe with a cold metallic finger
'As above then so below,
For as we love then so we loathe,
And as we loathe then so we love,
To raise from below to up above.' He quoted an old verse from his home
'Killing innocents is one thing, but if you feel remourse for it, and vow to repay your debt, that is another thing. I have devoted my life to paying that debt, I pray you do not take the same path as me. You were put in a position, kill or cause somone to be killed. It was not you who killed those innocents, you simply bore the blade of thier ends. You had no choice' He turned her round and wiped her eyes of the tears forming there
'You are no monster. I have seen the beast, he does not dwell inside here' he placed a hand on her heart
'I have spent years trying to purge it from here' He placed a hand on his own heart
'Who can tell if I have succeeded. Father Mcutchin always used to tell me, make peace with the ghosts of the past lest they forever haunt your future. Sound advice. Now' He straigtened up
'Shall we go?'

He traced the edges of the tattoe with a cold metallic finger
'As above then so below,
For as we love then so we loathe,
And as we loathe then so we love,
To raise from below to up above.' He quoted an old verse from his home
'Killing innocents is one thing, but if you feel remourse for it, and vow to repay your debt, that is another thing. I have devoted my life to paying that debt, I pray you do not take the same path as me. You were put in a position, kill or cause somone to be killed. It was not you who killed those innocents, you simply bore the blade of thier ends. You had no choice' He turned her round and wiped her eyes of the tears forming there
'You are no monster. I have seen the beast, he does not dwell inside here' he placed a hand on her heart
'I have spent years trying to purge it from here' He placed a hand on his own heart
'Who can tell if I have succeeded. Father Mcutchin always used to tell me, make peace with the ghosts of the past lest they forever haunt your future. Sound advice. Now' He straigtened up
'Shall we go?'

"Well, Andreus, as I said, I did go several years taking just about any contract. Those were not kill or be killed jobs unfortunately. I thought nothing of it... until my family, my entire extended family, was killed." Karasu took a deep breath. "As much as I hated them for what they had forced me to do, I still loved them for some idiotic reason. When they were all dead, that’s when it hit me... how other people's families felt. Until then... they were 'marks', 'targets', or 'hits'. They were never referred to as what they were, 'innocent people'.

That day I told my contact not to come to me with a job unless the benefits of the mark's death were such as they would help others, and for a good reason. The jobs I take are usually high profile targets, such as horrible dictators oppressing and torturing his people, and the like. I feel like I can do some good at this profession. Saving the lives of thousands of people by getting rid of a nasty dictator is more in line with what I do. My contact knows that, and he has contacts in just about every government on the globe. He comes to me with very difficult work now days. Mind you they aren’t all jobs of government intrigue." She chuckled through her tears.

Karasu wiped her tears. "So you see, I have seen the beast as well, and like you, I am trying to somehow repay the world for what I've done."

She thought a moment, "'Make peace with the ghosts of your past lest they forever haunt your future.' That is very good advice Andreus. Father Mcutchin must have been a very wise man. I hope I can follow that advice. I have been blocking out the memories all my life... like it never happened. I guess I can just do my best by helping in my twisted way."

Karasu smiled up at Andreus, "Thanks, you’re quite a remarkable man." She gave him a hug. "You always know the right thing to say, and you always make me feel better or give me a new perspective." She grinned up at him.

"So Andreus, what kind of movies do you like?"

Grammian sniffed the booze. It was funny, it always smelled better in a glass than it did in a bottle. He sipped at it, savouring the taste.

"He has indeed. Came with a somewhat cagey proposition, I may add."
"A proposition.. Do tell."

Luke smiled thinly, as if none of this was a surprize. The vehicle pulled up in front of the Artemis executive building, where all the major offices were centered. Apparantly Luke intended to continue this conversation in a more comfortable setting.

Grammian finished his drink before he continued. The car was slowing down, which could be bad or good. But either way, he wanted his drink.

"He wanted me to help him expose some corporation. Said they were doing shadowy under-the-table deals of WMDs and the like." He put down his glass on the seat. "I told him to get stuffed. I'm an old man, I don't have the energy to go chasing conspiracies."

"I see."

Gastwein came around and held the door open for the two gentlemen. Luke slid out and led the way inside to an elevator. Gastwein would make sure Grammian followed. Once the elevator doors slid shut, Luke broke his own silence again.

"Did he have any proof, or were you just looking out for yourself by not getting involved?"

An elevator. Going up. He wasn't sure if it was a good sign or not. But Grammian wasn't in any position to change it.

"Depends what you look on as proof. The best he had were some files that had grainy pictures in them and some official looking reports. But, as I'm sure you'll agree, they could be very easily faked." He glanced over at his companion. "Right?"

An elevator. Going up. He wasn't sure if it was a good sign or not. But Grammian wasn't in any position to change it.

"Depends what you look on as proof. The best he had were some files that had grainy pictures in them and some official looking reports. But, as I'm sure you'll agree, they could be very easily faked." He glanced over at his companion. "Right?"

"Oh wait, a phone booth. I'm going to call Grammian and find out what he knows, if he'll tell me, that is." She rolled her eyes. Karasu dialed Grammian's cell and it rang. She leaned against the phone booth waiting for him to answer.

While she was waiting, she talked with Andreus. "Andreus, I have the new 'Star Wars' installment. I got an advanced copy. Are you interested? If not I have all kinds of movies. I'm pretty eclectic. I'm sure you'll find something you like. I have a lot of music too. Plus, thank God, several showers." She smiled, feeling so warm inside, despite tonights debacle.

Karasu waited for Grammian to pick up his cell.

"Oh wait, a phone booth. I'm going to call Grammian and find out what he knows, if he'll tell me, that is." She rolled her eyes. Karasu dialed Grammian's cell and it rang. She leaned against the phone booth waiting for him to answer.

While she was waiting, she talked with Andreus. "Andreus, I have the new 'Star Wars' installment. I got an advanced copy. Are you interested? If not I have all kinds of movies. I'm pretty eclectic. I'm sure you'll find something you like. I have a lot of music too. Plus, thank God, several showers." She smiled, feeling so warm inside, despite tonights debacle.

Karasu waited for Grammian to pick up his cell.

'Star wars?' He frowned and thought for a second
'Stars can fight?' He shuffled his feet for a moment and looked embaressed
'I am afraid I do not keep up with the world very well. Especially that of it which is on screen. Perhaps you could reccomend a movie' He smiled
'Although a shower and er...' He fingered the hem of his cloak for a second. It was looking rather motheaten.
'Perhaps these could use a wash too?'

Grammian glanced down when his mobile phone started ringing. He had a horrible feeling that his bank may haven found out his number, but that somehow didn't seem right.

Determined as bankers were.

"Do you want to get that, or will I?" He asked his companion.

Grammian glanced down when his mobile phone started ringing. He had a horrible feeling that his bank may haven found out his number, but that somehow didn't seem right.

Determined as bankers were.

"Do you want to get that, or will I?" He asked his companion.

After so many rings, Karasu wondered if he drank himself into a stupor and passed out. She decided she'd give it a few more rings, and if he didn't answer, she'd forget about it. Movies were waiting.

'Star wars?' He frowned and thought for a second
'Stars can fight?' He shuffled his feet for a moment and looked embaressed
'I am afraid I do not keep up with the world very well. Especially that of it which is on screen. Perhaps you could reccomend a movie' He smiled
'Although a shower and er...' He fingered the hem of his cloak for a second. It was looking rather motheaten.
'Perhaps these could use a wash too?'

"We can do laundry, and tomorrow buy you a new cloak as well." Karasu told Andreus.

"As for movies, maybe 'The Usual Suspects'. That might suit you. It's one of my favorites. We can make popcorn and I have a fridge full of food, so whatever you want..." Karasu smiled.

"They could be faked, certainly. But that doesn't mean they are."

The doors opened on his personal office. The floor was black and slate gray marble. The whole thing was decorated in a stark, simple style and lit by floor-to-ceiling windows around two of the walls. The furniture looked expensive, though not ostentatious. Luke continued to a balcony over looking the edge of the city and the distant ridge of the Falkar mountains beyond as the cell phone began to ring.

"You can answer it. You're not a prisoner, after all." He smiled thinly again, perhaps to be disarming, but the look was rather cryptic beyond that.

Karasu waited for the phone to be answered much longer than she normaly would have, as she had become involved in a discussion with Andreus regarding popular culture.

So the phone continued to ring.

Grammian pulled out his phone.

"Grammian here." He said, taking a look around at the surroundings.

Grammian pulled out his phone.

"Grammian here." He said, taking a look around at the surroundings.

"It's me... Why did you let him go? And, if you don't mind, what info did you see?" 'Karina' asked.

"We had conflicting life values. I'm not that into stopping conspiracies, and he's not that into staying alive." Started Grammian, glancing out at his host. "All he had was some files on that... Artemis bunch. Not enough for me to risk getting killed over, though."

"We had conflicting life values. I'm not that into stopping conspiracies, and he's not that into staying alive." Started Grammian, glancing out at his host. "All he had was some files on that... Artemis bunch. Not enough for me to risk getting killed over, though."

Karasu pondered what Grammian said. "So no information. You SAW it... wait, getting killed over?" Karasu pondered a moment. "You already have a sniper after you. That hasn't changed. You aren't alone are you? If you were, you'd do a hell of a lot more ranting, I'm sure. Don't sell me out. I may be your only chance at living." Karasu chuckled. "Doesn't that put you in a precarious position... having to be nice to me." She couldn't help but giggle. "Grammian, remember what I told you about crossing me. That hasn't changed. I assume you're with Artemis?"

"I dunno who I'm with. It's late and I've had too much to drink. This could be a double-glazing firm for all I know right now. All I know is that when it's a choice between sniper or sniper and people who not only have WMDs, but also make people... I'd choose not to go after more than I have to. Besides, professional courtesy extends to other hitmen... hitwomen. I don't cross people I have no reason to." He grinned, "Although you may be different."

Luke waited patiently, leaning against the railing with his glass of gin, just watching the distant scenery while keeping an ear on Grammian idly. He waved Gastwein off, presumably to retrive more of the gin and whiskey.

"I dunno who I'm with. It's late and I've had too much to drink. This could be a double-glazing firm for all I know right now. All I know is that when it's a choice between sniper or sniper and people who not only have WMDs, but also make people... I'd choose not to go after more than I have to. Besides, professional courtesy extends to other hitmen... hitwomen. I don't cross people I have no reason to." He grinned, "Although you may be different."

Karasu was seething. The fucking bastard is selling me out! She put her hand over the phone... "Andreus, he sold me out to Artemis… he even told me so! He even mentioned I'm a woman! He is with them now! Please... take over talking now." She begged Andreus. "As far as I know others are listening. He is unaware of you. Tell him thank you and goodbye, or pretend it’s a wrong number, and if you can change your voice somehow, please do."

I'll kill the motherfucker myself!

She handed the phone to Andreus, who was able to change his voice, thankfully. He changed his voice to that of a stoner. It was perfect. He proceeded to speak. "You must be way wasted dude! I don't know what the fuck you're talking about. We were supposed to hook up for some weed. Man, ya couldn't even wait…. figures. Hey… who's this Grammian dude? Are you hooking up with a dealer without us? Ah, screw you... I'll get it from someone else." He slammed the phone down.

"Perfect Andreus! However, he already told Artemis that I'm a woman and basically, he completely double crossed me." Karasu was shaking. I'm going to call Zane immediately and inform him of this treachery. Grammian is going to die, and you can't talk me out if it. If I don't do it myself, someone else will hit him." She was literally ready to punch the phone booth.

"Thank you Andreus for your help. I have to call Zane NOW and let him know what Grammian told them, and that he double-crossed me. I'm in serious danger. He has to get the hit-squad after him… and the others."

Karasu picked up the cell that led only to Zane. The phone rang.

"Zane." He answered.

"It's me! Grammian sold me out to Artemis. These are his exact words: 'I dunno who I'm with. It's late and I've had too much to drink. This could be a double-glazing firm for all I know right now. All I know is that when it's a choice between sniper or sniper and people who not only have WMDs, but also make people... I'd choose not to go after more than I have to. Besides, professional courtesy extends to other hitmen... hitwomen. I don't cross people I have no reason to." Although you may be different.'

He is with Artemis and trying to cut his losses!. Thank God I called from a phone booth, but you heard what I just told you. This is what Artemis is doing. No luck with Nico, except he nearly killed me." Karasu was frantic.

"Calm down Karasu. I am going to take care of this. The sniper after Grammian is likely after you now. You must take steps to disguise yourself," he stated, "and use the firing range in your home to practice sniping, just in case."

"I wanna do Grammian myself... that bastard!" Karsu replied.

"Don't do anything foolish. Now that I think about it, stay at home. So far no one, not even Grammian knows where you live, correct?"

"Yes, that's right. Except Andreus who is with me now. He’s the only one I’ve ever trusted aside from you."

"Karasu, I don't necessarily trust the government here either. I’ll have my own people, the ones who I assure you, won’t be bought, and have been with me forever, the usual men, will deal with this. I will withhold this information from Ace for the moment. Just get home... and it can't hurt to stay armed at all times. I'll be in touch." Zane hung up.

By this time, Karasu was sobbing. "That bastard! No ethics or morals! I want him dead dead dead!"

Andreus had heard the conversation due to his cybernetic hearing. He awkwardly put his arms around Karasu and held her as she cried.

"Th-thank you Andreus... Will you please stay with me through all of this? I'm begging you!" She sobbed onto his chest.

Karasu was seething. The fucking bastard is selling me out! She put her hand over the phone... "Andreus, he sold me out to Artemis… he even told me so! He even mentioned I'm a woman! He is with them now! Please... take over talking now." She begged Andreus. "As far as I know others are listening. He is unaware of you. Tell him thank you and goodbye, or pretend it’s a wrong number, and if you can change your voice somehow, please do."

I'll kill the motherfucker myself!

She handed the phone to Andreus, who was able to change his voice, thankfully. He changed his voice to that of a stoner. It was perfect. He proceeded to speak. "You must be way wasted dude! I don't know what the fuck you're talking about. We were supposed to hook up for some weed. Man, ya couldn't even wait…. figures. Hey… who's this Grammian dude? Are you hooking up with a dealer without us? Ah, screw you... I'll get it from someone else." He slammed the phone down.

"Perfect Andreus! However, he already told Artemis that I'm a woman and basically, he completely double crossed me." Karasu was shaking. I'm going to call Zane immediately and inform him of this treachery. Grammian is going to die, and you can't talk me out if it. If I don't do it myself, someone else will hit him." She was literally ready to punch the phone booth.

"Thank you Andreus for your help. I have to call Zane NOW and let him know what Grammian told them, and that he double-crossed me. I'm in serious danger. He has to get the hit-squad after him… and the others."

Karasu picked up the cell that led only to Zane. The phone rang.

"Zane." He answered.

"It's me! Grammian sold me out to Artemis. These are his exact words: 'I dunno who I'm with. It's late and I've had too much to drink. This could be a double-glazing firm for all I know right now. All I know is that when it's a choice between sniper or sniper and people who not only have WMDs, but also make people... I'd choose not to go after more than I have to. Besides, professional courtesy extends to other hitmen... hitwomen. I don't cross people I have no reason to." Although you may be different.'

He is with Artemis and trying to cut his losses!. Thank God I called from a phone booth, but you heard what I just told you. This is what Artemis is doing. No luck with Nico, except he nearly killed me." Karasu was frantic.

"Calm down Karasu. I am going to take care of this. The sniper after Grammian is likely after you now. You must take steps to disguise yourself," he stated, "and use the firing range in your home to practice sniping, just in case."

"I wanna do Grammian myself... that bastard!" Karsu replied.

"Don't do anything foolish. Now that I think about it, stay at home. So far no one, not even Grammian knows where you live, correct?"

"Yes, that's right. Except Andreus who is with me now. He’s the only one I’ve ever trusted aside from you."

"Karasu, I don't necessarily trust the government here either. I’ll have my own people, the ones who I assure you, won’t be bought, and have been with me forever, the usual men, will deal with this. I will withhold this information from Ace for the moment. Just get home... and it can't hurt to stay armed at all times. I'll be in touch." Zane hung up.

By this time, Karasu was sobbing. "That bastard! No ethics or morals! I want him dead dead dead!"

Andreus had heard the conversation due to his cybernetic hearing. He awkwardly put his arms around Karasu and held her as she cried.

"Th-thank you Andreus... Will you please stay with me through all of this? I'm begging you!" She sobbed onto his chest.

'Er...' He stood there with his arms around her unsure of how this this went. He wasn't used to women falling into his arms like this, but it almost hurt him to see her cry.
'There there' He ventured, and stroked her hair soothingly with a hand
'Don't....vengeful is not a good face for you. It is not who you are. Not truly' He tilted her face up so he could see in her eyes
'Vengence gets you nothing but temporary appeasment. Nothing born of vengence will last for you. He will pay, but not like that.' He closed his eyes for a second and his cold hands warmed up through intenal heaters as he wiped her tears.
'No man can do anything without getting his comeback. We are that comeback. But I won't let anything happen to you, this I promise. I won't leave you with most of the underworld after you' he thought for a second and then came to a descision
'Here' He brought out a small silver cross from his pocked, clasped it to his chest and then pressed it into her palm
'Keep it and remember, there is always light in the darkness if you know how to look'

Grammian turned his phone off and slid it back into his jacket. He wandered back over to his host shaking his head.

"Dames, eh? One minute they think you're the best thing that's ever happened to the world, the next they think you're worse than the crap on the street." He chuckled, "It almost makes me feel bad."

"Fickle creatures, aren't they?"

Gastwein had stepped outside again with a fresh glass of whiskey for Grammian, and more gin for Luke. After passing out the drinks, he disappeared inside again.

"Humor me for a moment, Mr. Grammian, and then we'll get to the point. These reports you mentioned... what were they about?"

Luke had a pretty good idea, but since most of the information in the lab files were not supposed to be kept at that location, it was difficult to determine exactly what was missing. How much Nicola knew would play an important role in this matter.

Grammian accepted the glass gratefully, sipping it whilst his thought. "Hmm... if I recall correctly, the files were 'detailing resistance testing' and talking about the effects of different strains of various viruses. Smallpox and ebola, I think. The stuff about nuclear weapons and so on I only know because your friend was gabbing about them. Not very smart, in my opinion. Such things should be kept to yourself."

'Er...' He stood there with his arms around her unsure of how this this went. He wasn't used to women falling into his arms like this, but it almost hurt him to see her cry.
'There there' He ventured, and stroked her hair soothingly with a hand
'Don't....vengeful is not a good face for you. It is not who you are. Not truly' He tilted her face up so he could see in her eyes
'Vengence gets you nothing but temporary appeasment. Nothing born of vengence will last for you. He will pay, but not like that.' He closed his eyes for a second and his cold hands warmed up through intenal heaters as he wiped her tears.
'No man can do anything without getting his comeback. We are that comeback. But I won't let anything happen to you, this I promise. I won't leave you with most of the underworld after you' he thought for a second and then came to a descision
'Here' He brought out a small silver cross from his pocked, clasped it to his chest and then pressed it into her palm
'Keep it and remember, there is always light in the darkness if you know how to look'


"Th-thank you Andreus. It's beautiful." Karasu looked at the cross. "Thanks for not leaving me alone." She held the cross tightly in her hand and began crying again, holding him tight. She wasn't used to gestures such as this. Andreus had given her the box from the Vicar, and now this silver cross. She was deeply touched.

Karasu looked up at Andreus. "You know, you and Zane are the only people who really know me in the entire world? Even my real name?" She sniffed. "You're... the kindest man I've ever met." she said awkwardly.

"As far as Grammian goes, I suppose you're right. What goes around comes around. I'll leave Grammian to whatever his fate may be." Karasu looked at the cross and up at Andreus. "I think you're the only person I've ever met who can change my perspective so quickly." She laughed thru her tears.

"Thanks for staying with me. I appreciate it immensely. I'm so used to being alone. Ummm... as long as I'm housebound as soon as we get to the apartment, how about that movie?" Karasu asked. "I could use a little distraction. I think we both could."

"Nicola is not bred to have independent thoughts, so I'm really not surprized by his lack of discretion. His training was... incomplete when he escaped."

Luke turned his gaze from the horizon and brought it squarely upon the investigator.

"Now. I want him back before he gets himself killed, or into a situation I can't fix."

"I hate to be the voice of doom here," Said Grammian, between sips, "But don't you think you should at least consider having him... removed? He is going around hiring Private Investigators, such as myself, and telling them all about your business dealings... but that's just me talking. Getting him back is going to be very difficult."

"I have put countless hours and more money than I care to recall into this operation. What you suggest is a last resort. It would be a shame to kill the only test subject to survive what he's been through..

"And as for other investigators, if he has hired any he may tell them what he likes. He has no proof, and I have quite an extensive and skilled legal team. I don't think he can remain elusive for much longer. It's just a matter of who gets to him first."

Luke sipped at his gin casually, watching Grammian with a keen eye.

In what seemed like no more than a moment, Karasu and Andreus reached the rooftop entrance to her apartment. As they walked down below the roof into the stairwell they were met by a laser scope.

"Get that out of my face!" Karasu said, obviously irritated.

"Yes ma'am. I'm sorry, but we have to take every precaution." The guard replied.

"Well, remember this." She pointed at her face. "My face. I live here. And remember him. He is staying here as well." Karasu was expecting the next question.

"Sir, can I see your face? We can't identify you without seeing your face."

Karasu could see Andreus getting very uncomfortable. "That won't be necessary, as he will be with me when you see him. His name is Andreus."

They walked past the guard and coded themselves in. Karasu sighed. "I'm sorry about that. I hadn't expected Zane to have anyone here already."

Karasu's cell from Zane rang. "Talk to me." she said.

"I trust my men are there?" Zane asked.

"Yes, they are! But you could have warned me that they would be here this soon!" Karasu complained.

"Well, good then. I'll be in touch." Zane hung up.

Karasu sighed.

"Andreus, there is a bathroom off the bedroom you stayed in before. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of bathrooms around here." She chuckled. "The one off that bedroom is fully stocked with towels and robes and the like. If you'd like to just leave your clothes and cloak, you can wear a robe and throw the clothes in the laundry after you shower. I'm heading for my bathtub for a long soak. Help yourself to anything in the fridge. Make yourself at home." She smiled at him.

"Oh... and Andreus..." she almost whispered, "thanks for everything." Karasu turned toward her room to take a hot bath. I have truly been blessed by meeting this man. He's actually changing my life.

Grammian placed his drink down on a table and faced Luke. "Listen; we're both part of the same hypocrisy, we're both forward-thinking guys, so let's just cut to the chase. I take it you have a proposal for me."

He grinned, "Most people don't take complete strangers for a social visit with loaded guns."

Luke chuckled lightly. "Rush, rush, rush. Everyone's in such a hurry these days. But yes, I do have a proposal for you. I had hoped I would not need to be so blunt about the matter."

He stopped to look out again, admiring the scenery.

"I want Kruschev back. And you know where he is, or at least what he is doing. He trusts you somewhat, or he would not have come to you with the information. Bring him to me. I will provide you with everything you need. You are welcome to name your compensation. But in addition, I will offer you something else. As I understand it, someone wants you dead. Maybe more than one person," he laughed semi-serious while directing his gaze at Grammian's cell phone. "I can put an end to that particular threat."

Luke had learned some time ago that not all men craved money. With his influence and network of people, there were very few requests he could not fill.

Karasu turned on the water and found some Jasmine bath salts and started her whirlpool tub. She was tired and she knew she had to be vigilant, but she was also aware that Zane's defense squad had never been penetrated, so she felt pretty safe.

She was sure that bastard was dealing his minute little brain out, in order to come out of this alive. Ha! He's a moron if he thinks they're going to let him live come the end of all of this. He knows too much. Grammian's a blackmail threat to Artemis and will be until he dies. Karasu smiled. No, she wouldn't have to have a hand in Grammian's demise at all. Andreus was right, Grammian will get his when they were done with him. It just may take some time... they'll realize what a double dealer he is.

"What comes around goes around," Karasu said aloud, as she slipped into a well deserved, hot whirlpool bath.

"Kruschev might be suspicious if I suddenly decide I want to meet him after saying that I'm not interested..." Said Grammian, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"But it's possible. My price is one million dollars." He sighed and looked Luke in the eye, "I've been after a retirement for a while now, but I've never had enough money to really do it properly. One million should cover any expenses I have for the next 20 years. Make sure that I'm safe from everyone but Kruschev, and we've got ourselves a deal."

"A change of heart perhaps? He'll be headed for Dekker Labs sooner or later. That is where he was created. As for your price, consider it done. You can work out the details with Mr. Bauman, who will be accompanying you back home. Among other things, he will coordinate your security."

As Gastwein stepped outside to provide an escourt to Bauman's office, Luke grinned and extended his hand to shake on the deal.

"You're a smart man, Mr. Grammian. Welcome to my family."

While enjoying a deep, hot, relaxing, whirl-jet bath, and the scent of Jasmine and Sake candles around her, she had been thinking about the situation they were in.

Obviously, she would not contact that no good fucking son of a... Grammian. "Spell Grammian. B A S T A R D. Grammian" He was now on 'the Dark Side'! She chuckled as she had just seen the third installment of Star Wars, from that very tub, as a matter of fact. She also giggled remembering Andreus' question regarding how stars could fight each other.

I have grown more fond of that man than any other. It occured to her like a rock hitting her in the head. I just don't know how he feels about me. She worried like a school girl. Here was this drop dead gorgeous woman, who had had men dropping at her feet, and the one she cared most about, was neither gorgeous, nor gregarious. However, this is the only man she had ever met who really moved her heart.... the one she cared for the most.

Now, what would Artemis do, aside from protect Grammian? Encourage him to seek out Nico, of course, and tell him he had a change of heart. Their big fear had to be someone else reaching Nico before he could be caught or killed. Karasu guessed that as soon as Grammian handed Nico over to Artemis, that would be the end of Grammian.

She continued to ponder while listing to PIL's "Order of Death"... 'This is what you want... this is what you get... this is what you want... this is what you get...' How appropriate. She began to sing along.

Grammian grasped Luke's outstretched hand and shook it. A deal was never a deal unless it was shook upon.

"I think I'd best get going, though. It's late and I'm going to be very busy soon, don't you think?"

"Don't let me keep you here. Bauman will accompany you home, in that case, and the two of you can discuss things later. Have a safe drive, Mr. Grammian."

He raised his glass in a silght toast, then finished it off. Gastwein made a call for Bauman to meet them in the lobby to give Grammian a ride, then motioned to lead him back to the elevator.

Karasu reluctantly got out of the tub and dried off. She put on a nightgown and robe, and walked out into the lounge. She could hear Andreas' shower still running so she quickly ran into his room and grabbed his clothing off the bed and brought it to the laundry room, all the while singing that lovely PIL song.

Then she began to think of movies they might watch. "The Usual Suspects" kept coming to mind, but Karasu thought she's ask him what he enjoys first.

She continued singing and doing laundry.

While enjoying a deep, hot, relaxing, whirl-jet bath, and the scent of Jasmine and Sake candles around her, she had been thinking about the situation they were in.

Obviously, she would not contact that no good fucking son of a... Grammian. "Spell Grammian. B A S T A R D. Grammian" He was now on 'the Dark Side'! She chuckled as she had just seen the third installment of Star Wars, from that very tub, as a matter of fact. She also giggled remembering Andreus' question regarding how stars could fight each other.

I have grown more fond of that man than any other. It occured to her like a rock hitting her in the head. I just don't know how he feels about me. She worried like a school girl. Here was this drop dead gorgeous woman, who had had men dropping at her feet, and the one she cared most about, was neither gorgeous, nor gregarious. However, this is the only man she had ever met who really moved her heart.... the one she cared for the most.

Now, what would Artemis do, aside from protect Grammian? Encourage him to seek out Nico, of course, and tell him he had a change of heart. Their big fear had to be someone else reaching Nico before he could be caught or killed. Karasu guessed that as soon as Grammian handed Nico over to Artemis, that would be the end of Grammian.

She continued to ponder while listing to PIL's "Order of Death"... 'This is what you want... this is what you get... this is what you want... this is what you get...' How appropriate. She began to sing along.

Andreus had his arm layed out flat, palm up on the table. He had a small tool working on the inside of it fixing the minor damages it had been subjected to.
He thought about what Karasu had said ealier, that he was like no other man she had met.
And it had taken this to change me He looked at his arm and winced as a spark flew out. He tossed the tool aside in frustration and buried his head in his hands
'She did not deserve this life of pain and blood. What did she ever do to deserve such a thing?' He looked up directing his question to the heavens
He closed his arm and shook his head to clear it. He had been away from society for too long, he had forgotten how good it felt simply to talk to someone. But it was more than that with Karasu. She saw what he truly was unlike most people, that slightly scared him, as if all of his protection had been stripped away in an instant, but he also would not trade the feeling for anything. Her smile seemed to brighten up an otherwise dismal setting, and all he wanted to do was to make up for the life she had suffered.
Andreus sighed and bent his head in prayer, it usually served to help him clear his head. But when a sound filtered through from the bathroom.....
'How perfect the choir of angels sound to the ears of the mortal men' He muttered quietly with his closed ,eyes and let the singing carry him to a gentle rest.

"Then it's nice doing business with you, sir." Finished Grammian, with a nod. He turned and entered the elevator, along with Bauman.

One million... I can actually quit when this is over. Don't get complacent, old man. No such thing as a free meal.

Andreus had his arm layed out flat, palm up on the table. He had a small tool working on the inside of it fixing the minor damages it had been subjected to.
He thought about what Karasu had said ealier, that he was like no other man she had met.
And it had taken this to change me He looked at his arm and winced as a spark flew out. He tossed the tool aside in frustration and buried his head in his hands
'She did not deserve this life of pain and blood. What did she ever do to deserve such a thing?' He looked up directing his question to the heavens
He closed his arm and shook his head to clear it. He had been away from society for too long, he had forgotten how good it felt simply to talk to someone. But it was more than that with Karasu. She saw what he truly was unlike most people, that slightly scared him, as if all of his protection had been stripped away in an instant, but he also would not trade the feeling for anything. Her smile seemed to brighten up an otherwise dismal setting, and all he wanted to do was to make up for the life she had suffered.
Andreus sighed and bent his head in prayer, it usually served to help him clear his head. But when a sound filtered through from the bathroom.....
'How perfect the choir of angels sound to the ears of the mortal men' He muttered quietly with his closed ,eyes and let the singing carry him to a gentle rest.

After a while, Karasu was wondering what was taking Andreus so long. Maybe he damaged his cybernetics? She had been looking through DVDs to see what he might like.

After a while, she decided to look in on him. "Andreus?" she whispered, not knowing if he was awake or asleep. He was wearing one of the great plush robes given to her by the ambassador of Siberia, thru Zane, of course. She could not tell if he was awake or asleep. She left his clean clothing on a chair. I guess there's always another night for a movie and conversation, she thought dejectedly. She was hoping they could spend some time together not scrambling for their lives. Oh well.

After a while, Karasu was wondering what was taking Andreus so long. Maybe he damaged his cybernetics? She had been looking through DVDs to see what he might like.

After a while, she decided to look in on him. "Andreus?" she whispered, not knowing if he was awake or asleep. He was wearing one of the great plush robes given to her by the ambassador of Siberia, thru Zane, of course. She could not tell if he was awake or asleep. She left his clean clothing on a chair. I guess there's always another night for a movie and conversation, she thought dejectedly. She was hoping they could spend some time together not scrambling for their lives. Oh well.
He opened his eyes to look up at her
'Oh, I am sorry, I was just thinking about things, praying, meditating' He was wearing a plush robe. Before now he wasn't aware how anything could be this soft, and although he like the feeling he felt awkward in such an expensive looking peice
'Have you chosen somthing to watch? I have little preference' He smiled

He opened his eyes to look up at her
'Oh, I am sorry, I was just thinking about things, praying, meditating' He was wearing a plush robe. Before now he wasn't aware how anything could be this soft, and although he like the feeling he felt awkward in such an expensive looking peice
'Have you chosen somthing to watch? I have little preference' He smiled


"I've been thinking about some things too." Karasu sat down in the chair by the bed. "For example, when you told me vengance is fleeting, you're right. I have never found the people who killed my family, but I don't know that it would matter if I did. It's just that... Gramian sold me out, but I realize he will get his, and I don't have to do it. I think Artemis will take care of that. Grammian's wiley, but not that wiley." Karasu sighed. "You do realize you are in great danger staying here? I assume you do. I am eternally in your debt for everything you've done for me."

She looked Andreus in the eye and smiled, "Not to get off topic, but that robe looks nice on you. You know, I feel awkward, very awkward saying this but... you are truly the most attractive man I've ever met. I hope that doesn't embarrass you too much. Everyone seems to be upset by your appearance. What I see is the most handsome, attractive man ever." Karasu was turning red and looked away. "I-I'm sorry. I'm usually not so forward. It's just that I have a feeling you don't hear that often, and I am telling you the honest truth. I look at you, and I see beauty." She slowly looked up at him... just her eyes. She didn't want to embarrass him, but she wanted him to know he was no monster. He really was the most beautiful man she had ever met.

She stood to leave... "I understand if I've made you uncomfortable and understand if you want to be left alone, but," she looked at him over her shoulder, "I was still hoping to watch some movies." She smiled.

"I'm embarrassed for saying those things aloud to you, and I hope you don't feel too awkward to watch a movie. I have one in mind I think you might like. It's called 'The Usual Suspects'. Still want to watch a movie and have some popcorn and something to drink? Or a meal for that matter, if you're hungry. I'm game. You?"

Karasu got only silence from Andreus. I shouldn’t have said anything. "I'll be four doors down on the left in the main corridor if you need me." She said sadly and walked out. She really was hurt. Karasu was not used to feeling this type of sadness.

She walked down to the soundproof firing range, and thought she might as well train for a while. She intended to keep Uzi's and automatics on her when she left, but it couldn't hurt to train her sniping skills.

Karasu opened the case with her custom rifle in it, and worked on it for a bit. The rifle had been knocked out of alignment earlier, when she shot that rapist from such an odd angle. She put it all together, along with the laser scope and everything she needed. Karasu then sent the target 800 feet back to start and turned out the lights. She set up the rifle, laid down in the usual stance, and began firing at the target… four shots. Karasu brought the target back... three bulls-eyes and one slightly off center.

She then sent the target back a thousand feet, aligned herself with the rifle, and fired off three shots. She brought the target back... all bulls-eyes.

She did not want to be doing this. Karasu pulled out the silver cross, which she had placed in her robe pocket earlier, and looked at it. Tears came to her eyes. She held it tightly in her hand, at the same time curling up with her rifle and just thinking... The first time I think I'm in love. Really in love... and I guess it isn't mutual. Perhaps I really am meant to be alone. Karasu couldn't stand that thought. Alone forever. She was sick of this lonely life. She met the perfect most wonderful, kind, beautiful man, but he...

She snuggled up to her rifle, looking at the silver cross and let the tears fall.

Having found a first aid kit on the seat of someone's unlocked car, Nicola had bandaged himself enough to walk around without drawing too much attention. The blood stains on his clothes would have to remain until he found something to clean or replace them with.

Now on to Dekker. He had an idea. A very risky, and very dangerous one, but an idea all the same. Holding his side against searing flashes of pain, he began the long walk to the labs.

Grammian started running over the situation in his head. He needed to find Kruschev, that was obvious. He needed to convince him that he was on his side, that was another obvious one. And, of course, he needed to make sure that that... Karina woman didn't interfere. That was going to be tricky.

But anything was tricky when one million dollars were at stake.

Andreus stood there in shock at her words, the world had glazed over for him as the syllables reached his brain
But.........
His mind teleported him back to a time with father Mcutchin when he had caught Andreus staring outside at a pretty young girl helping to clean the headstones
'You have been delt a heavy blow my child. To loose the basic pleasures of the young, is a hard thing to bear'
'What do you mean father?'
'I mean, not to put too fine a point on it, people see the man on the outside, not on the inside. It is a basic flaw of humanity to do so, sad but true'
Andreus looked outside again and saw the girl had gone
'Love is for those with a heart unmarred of technology' Andreus said flatly
'No Andreus' Father said a little sharply
'Never believe that. I have the love of the church to satisfy me, and maybe you will oneday find the same love, but never loose belief that love is beyond your grasp. Do that and you are no longer human in any way'
He woke up to the present
'Karasu?' He looked round to see she had gone
'Karasu' He called out again and looked around. He found her outside crying
'Karasu, I...I am sorry...I was not expecting.....' He stood her up by holding her shoulders gently
'I am unused to....' He looked at her tear soaked eyes and was at a loss, then somthing inside him suggested.....
He kissed her softly on the lips for a moment

Andreus stood there in shock at her words, the world had glazed over for him as the syllables reached his brain
But.........
His mind teleported him back to a time with father Mcutchin when he had caught Andreus staring outside at a pretty young girl helping to clean the headstones
'You have been delt a heavy blow my child. To loose the basic pleasures of the young, is a hard thing to bear'
'What do you mean father?'
'I mean, not to put too fine a point on it, people see the man on the outside, not on the inside. It is a basic flaw of humanity to do so, sad but true'
Andreus looked outside again and saw the girl had gone
'Love is for those with a heart unmarred of technology' Andreus said flatly
'No Andreus' Father said a little sharply
'Never believe that. I have the love of the church to satisfy me, and maybe you will oneday find the same love, but never loose belief that love is beyond your grasp. Do that and you are no longer human in any way'
He woke up to the present
'Karasu?' He looked round to see she had gone
'Karasu' He called out again and looked around. He found her outside crying
'Karasu, I...I am sorry...I was not expecting.....' He stood her up by holding her shoulders gently
'I am unused to....' He looked at her tear soaked eyes and was at a loss, then somthing inside him suggested.....
He kissed her softly on the lips for a moment

Karasu had long since leftthe firing range and was outside Andreus' room. She sank down and the tears flowed.

Suddenly he appeared, and stood her up and apologized. Then, to her surprise, he kissed her. So perfect. Such soft lips. Karasu looked up at Andreus.. "Andreus, I had the impression… I mean I thought you didn't... feel the same way I do.”

Karasu struggled for the right words. “I didn't mean to embarrass you. I know you have been apart from society for so long. I just felt I had to tell you that, because regardless of how you feel about me, I doubt you would have said anything, and I think you needed to know." Karasu was looking at the most beautiful face she had ever seen. "Andreus, I don't know if you understand me… but what is inside you has made you the most attractive man I've ever met… and I mean physically as well… so handsome. No one compares to you. You are so special. Please do not let others' reactions to your appearance get you down. They are ignorant. You're the most handsome man I've ever seen." Karasu kissed him again.

She held him tight. "Andreus, you've changed my life in so many ways. I cannot even begin to explain. You've changed my thought process fundamentally, which isn't easy to do, especially for someone who has lived my life. I have been reassessing my life… and it’s all thanks to you. I wonder if I will ever become so accepting and at peace as you?”

They kissed again and held each other. “So do you want to see a DVD? I’ve been at the firing range,” Karasu made a face, “and I don’t want to think about any of that anymore.”

"So are you still up for a movie Andreus?" Karasu really had to get her mind off of whatever Grammian was up to, and she was having a hard time keeping her anger in check.

"If you're not, I can just go back to the firing range." She instinctively put her arms around him and kissed him passionately. Her heart was pounding like crazy. No other man made her feel like that. She had lots of boyfriends in the past, but it was all superficial, as they couldn't know what she did for a living, and aside from that, they were all shallow, and seemed to just want her around for her looks.

"I'm sorry," Karasu said. "I'm not trying to push you. So movie, or firing range?"

She was praying he'd say 'movie', because she did not want to practice sniping anymore. It just reminded her of Grammian... and how they were going to find Nico. Karasu didn't want to think about any of that tonight.

If Andreus didn't want to stay up with her, maybe she'd have a couple of glasses of wine... and then go to the firing range. She laughed inside, but deep down, wanted to spend the evening with this wonderful man.

"So are you still up for a movie Andreus?" Karasu really had to get her mind off of whatever Grammian was up to, and she was having a hard time keeping her anger in check.

"If you're not, I can just go back to the firing range." She instinctively put her arms around him and kissed him passionately. Her heart was pounding like crazy. No other man made her feel like that. She had lots of boyfriends in the past, but it was all superficial, as they couldn't know what she did for a living, and aside from that, they were all shallow, and seemed to just want her around for her looks.

"I'm sorry," Karasu said. "I'm not trying to push you. So movie, or firing range?"

She was praying he'd say 'movie', because she did not want to practice sniping anymore. It just reminded her of Grammian... and how they were going to find Nico. Karasu didn't want to think about any of that tonight.

If Andreus didn't want to stay up with her, maybe she'd have a couple of glasses of wine... and then go to the firing range. She laughed inside, but deep down, wanted to spend the evening with this wonderful man.

He blinked in slight shock, but curious satisfaction at the kiss
'Erm...movie?' He smiled
'I do not feel like being around weapons of any nature right now'
Is this what love feels like? A continual loss for the right words, and a feeling of acute embaressment at everything?
Well....yes....also contentment, and wonder somehow...
He looked down at her for for the first time noticed how attractive she was, but he also passed the glance over her body off as a moveto look at the floor.
'So, shall we go back? What was the movie again?'

He blinked in slight shock, but curious satisfaction at the kiss
'Erm...movie?' He smiled
'I do not feel like being around weapons of any nature right now'
Is this what love feels like? A continual loss for the right words, and a feeling of acute embaressment at everything?
Well....yes....also contentment, and wonder somehow...
He looked down at her for for the first time noticed how attractive she was, but he also passed the glance over her body off as a moveto look at the floor.
'So, shall we go back? What was the movie again?'

"Sure. I'm sick of all this Nico/sniper/Grammian bastard crap." She led him to the lounge. "Make yourself comfortable. I have a great, large, plasma screen TV. I thought you might like 'The Usual Suspects'," she told him. "It's always been one of my favorites and I think you might like the twists and turns in the plot." Karasu stated.

"Andreus, I'm up for some wine tonight, would you like some? I have a wonderful Shiraz. I admit it isn't made for popcorn, but I have tons of food also if you're hungry." She went into the kitchen and continued talking to Andreus.

"By the way, when I did your laundry, I took the liberty of taking the measurements from your clothing, so you should have some identical, but brand new clothing and a cloak some time tomorrow." She smiled. "Zane does have a marvelous concierge who is paid to go WAY out of his way."

Karasu had seen that Andreus had made himself comfortable on the huge sofa. She put in the DVD and dug around for the right remote. "Sorry about this," she said, a bit embarrassed. "The universal remotes never seem to work, and Zane hasn't gotten around to making a personalized one for me, so I'm stuck with this pile." She pointed to a huge stack of remotes.

She found the right remote and set down two wine glasses. "I hope you like Shiraz. If not, just say so. I'm sure I can find something to suit you. If you'd like anything, food, whatever... don't hesitate to ask."

Karasu curled up and leaned against Andreus and started the movie. I don't think I've ever felt so content.

Karasu popped the cork on the bottle of wine and filled up the glasses. She definitely wanted to have a few tonight... enough to blot out the whole wretched situation they were in. Well deserved, she thought.

She felt Andreus' eyes on her as she very unfemininely slammed down her first glass of wine. "I just really needed that." She said, a bit flustered.

"I think you're really going to like the movie." She smiled.

As the movie played, it seemed to her that Andreus was enjoying it. Karasu could watch it over and over. She loved the characters and the actors.

After her third glass of wine Karasu was so hot she couldn't stand it, and she could feel that her cheeks had turned red. That always happened to her with wine. She stood up, and took off her red, silk robe. It didn't even occur to her that she was wearing a rather revealing gown underneath. Red silk, very cleavage baring held together with O rings down to the waist, a very deep back, spaghetti straps, mid-thigh length, with slits up the sides. Karasu didn't give it a second thought after all the wine. She was hot, she took off her robe, and snuggled up to Andreus to finish watching the movie.

She never noticed Andreus' reaction to any of this after the wine, and being so into the movie. But she was happy and had forgotten Nico and all of that for now.

"Do you want anything to eat Andreus? Or something different to drink? Remember, my house is your house," she smiled, and snuggled back up to Andreus continuing to watch the movie.

Dekker Labs, there it was looming before Nico in a manner befitting Dracula's castle on a stormy night. This idea was very risky, but it seemed one of the few options left. And they all held some measure of risk. Unbinding a long wind of gauze, he secured one of the pistols above his ankle in a makeshift holster. Making sure all visible wounds were undressed, he started towards the laboratory. He grasped his side which had started bleeding through his fingers once the wrap was removed and stumbled into the lobby.

An attendant stood uncertainly and moved to assist him, but Nicola seemed to pass out there on the floor. Two lab technicians appeared and sprung into action, lifting the fallen man to his feet and carrying him off to one of the many clinics, where a passing doctor stepped up to aid.

"My god... is that Kruschev?"

Grammian left the company of Bauman and wandered back to his office. He was very tired, and needed to sleep off the day's events. He also needed to be close to his main phone for whenever anything major came up.

He slumped back into his chair and fell asleep.

Karasu popped the cork on the bottle of wine and filled up the glasses. She definitely wanted to have a few tonight... enough to blot out the whole wretched situation they were in. Well deserved, she thought.

She felt Andreus' eyes on her as she very unfemininely slammed down her first glass of wine. "I just really needed that." She said, a bit flustered.

"I think you're really going to like the movie." She smiled.

As the movie played, it seemed to her that Andreus was enjoying it. Karasu could watch it over and over. She loved the characters and the actors.

After her third glass of wine Karasu was so hot she couldn't stand it, and she could feel that her cheeks had turned red. That always happened to her with wine. She stood up, and took off her red, silk robe. It didn't even occur to her that she was wearing a rather revealing gown underneath. Red silk, very cleavage baring held together with O rings down to the waist, a very deep back, spaghetti straps, mid-thigh length, with slits up the sides. Karasu didn't give it a second thought after all the wine. She was hot, she took off her robe, and snuggled up to Andreus to finish watching the movie.

She never noticed Andreus' reaction to any of this after the wine, and being so into the movie. But she was happy and had forgotten Nico and all of that for now.

"Do you want anything to eat Andreus? Or something different to drink? Remember, my house is your house," she smiled, and snuggled back up to Andreus continuing to watch the movie.

'Er..yes' he cleared his throat
'Some water would be nice thank you' He thought back and realised he had never been this nervous. The sight of her disrobed was certainly making him feel somthing new. Ye gods, he thought he had had adolecence over with in his teenage years, it felt like it was coming back to haunt him all over again. He was quite enjoying the movie, although he couldn't understand much of it. He guessed movies took some getting used to. As she went to get the water he concentrated and blinked, and the movie paused. A handy thing he didn't know he could use on DVD players till now. He looked around at the interior of the house, it was very lavish to him, everything seemed so expensive. Even the robe he was in made him feel like he was costing hundreds with every movment.

'Er..yes' he cleared his throat
'Some water would be nice thank you' He thought back and realised he had never been this nervous. The sight of her disrobed was certainly making him feel somthing new. Ye gods, he thought he had had adolecence over with in his teenage years, it felt like it was coming back to haunt him all over again. He was quite enjoying the movie, although he couldn't understand much of it. He guessed movies took some getting used to. As she went to get the water he concentrated and blinked, and the movie paused. A handy thing he didn't know he could use on DVD players till now. He looked around at the interior of the house, it was very lavish to him, everything seemed so expensive. Even the robe he was in made him feel like he was costing hundreds with every movment.

"Here you go Andreus", Karasu said as she handed him the water.

"We don't have to continue to watch the movie if you're not enjoying it. I have to admit I had to watch it twice to really get who was who." She laughed.

"Music, what music do you like? We could listen to some music. I have quite an extensive library. Or whatever you want to do." She smiled, feeling so wonderful being with him. "We could just talk if you like?" Karasu sat down next to Andreus waiting for him to answer.

"Here you go Andreus", Karasu said as she handed him the water.

"We don't have to continue to watch the movie if you're not enjoying it. I have to admit I had to watch it twice to really get who was who." She laughed.

"Music, what music do you like? We could listen to some music. I have quite an extensive library. Or whatever you want to do." She smiled, feeling so wonderful being with him. "We could just talk if you like?" Karasu sat down next to Andreus waiting for him to answer.

'Music...yes...' He tilted his head sideways as he had an idea
'Here, you have shown me somthing, now, let me show you' He sat crosslegged on the floor
'Sit' He nodded to the floor infront of him and smiled

'Music...yes...' He tilted his head sideways as he had an idea
'Here, you have shown me somthing, now, let me show you' He sat crosslegged on the floor
'Sit' He nodded to the floor infront of him and smiled

Karasu sat down, intrigued at what this may be. "Music... good!"

She awaited what Andreus was going to do.

Karasu sat down, intrigued at what this may be. "Music... good!"

She awaited what Andreus was going to do.

'Close your eyes' he said, and ajusted somthing on the insides of his palms
'Now, just let your mind go whatever it wishes' He held his hands near her ears either side of her head and a soft sound came out, like sound in liquid form. It rolled over her like a tide, and although there was no immidiate tune, there were countless undertones. It sounded like an instrumental but the instuments were either one and the same or one masterfully played anonomous instrument
'It's name is Ascent' Said Andreus with his eyes closed
'It can help me get away from the world, its reality, its limitations men are bound by' He breathed slowly and let the music carry him with Karasu

(OOC: The actual piece is Brian Eno, 'An ending(Ascent)' :D )

'Close your eyes' he said, and ajusted somthing on the insides of his palms
'Now, just let your mind go whatever it wishes' He held his hands near her ears either side of her head and a soft sound came out, like sound in liquid form. It rolled over her like a tide, and although there was no immidiate tune, there were countless undertones. It sounded like an instrumental but the instuments were either one and the same or one masterfully played anonomous instrument
'It's name is Ascent' Said Andreus with his eyes closed
'It can help me get away from the world, its reality, its limitations men are bound by' He breathed slowly and let the music carry him with Karasu

Karasu sat there with her mouth gaping open. "I don't understand exactly... It's beautiful." She listened some more. It was very soothing and sounded nothing like anything she had ever heard before.

"Andreus, do you create that yourself through your cybernetics, or does it reflect anything... I mean is it different for different people."

Karasu sat there stunned, wanting to know more about this 'Ascent'.

Karasu sat there with her mouth gaping open. "I don't understand exactly... It's beautiful." She listened some more. It was very soothing and sounded nothing like anything she had ever heard before.

"Andreus, do you create that yourself through your cybernetics, or does it reflect anything... I mean is it different for different people."

Karasu sat there stunned, wanting to know more about this 'Ascent'.

'It is different for different people. I did not create it....well...insofar as a painter does not paint what he creates. He paints what is in his mind, it may have been somthing that has just formed there from leftovers of other things, or random ideas brought to an image. The point is whether it was my creation or not, the interpretation of the music is your own. In some ways you create the peice every time you hear it' He closed his hands slowly as the music drained away
'It is....comforting. To know somthing like it exists' He smiled again

'It is different for different people. I did not create it....well...insofar as a painter does not paint what he creates. He paints what is in his mind, it may have been somthing that has just formed there from leftovers of other things, or random ideas brought to an image. The point is whether it was my creation or not, the interpretation of the music is your own. In some ways you create the peice every time you hear it' He closed his hands slowly as the music drained away
'It is....comforting. To know somthing like it exists' He smiled again

"Indeed." She looked at him with even more wonder than usual. "And no one really knows it exists. I have to say I'm stunned." Karasu grabbed ahold of his hands and looked at his palms and back up at him. He gets more beautiful by the moment.

"Andreus, you're truly amazing. You surprise me every day." She smiled at him and leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Oh... I'm sorry... I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable. It was just an automatic reflex." she told him, all the while wanting to kiss him again.

"Indeed." She looked at him with even more wonder than usual. "And no one really knows it exists. I have to say I'm stunned." Karasu grabbed ahold of his hands and looked at his palms and back up at him. He gets more beautiful by the moment.

"Andreus, you're truly amazing. You surprise me every day." She smiled at him and leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Oh... I'm sorry... I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable. It was just an automatic reflex." she told him, all the while wanting to kiss him again.

"Am I making you... uncomfortable. If so, please tell me, Andreus." Karasu said, realizing he really hadn't had human contact for so long, and things must seem strange to him.

"Indeed." She looked at him with even more wonder than usual. "And no one really knows it exists. I have to say I'm stunned." Karasu grabbed ahold of his hands and looked at his palms and back up at him. He gets more beautiful by the moment.

"Andreus, you're truly amazing. You surprise me every day." She smiled at him and leaned over and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Oh... I'm sorry... I'm not trying to make you uncomfortable. It was just an automatic reflex." she told him, all the while wanting to kiss him again.

Andreus looked at her for a moment, and then calmly reached over and kissed her back for longer this time.
'Thank you.' He said simply

Andreus looked at her for a moment, and then calmly reached over and kissed her back for longer this time.
'Thank you.' He said simply

His kiss was electric and wonderful. "Thank you for what?" Karasu asked, puzzled.

His kiss was electric and wonderful. "Thank you for what?" Karasu asked, puzzled.

'For everything. For not being afraid. For letting me in. For showing me there is still a spark of emotion in world.' He got up and streched
'Well, I think it is time for sleep. We can search for Nico in the morning'

'For everything. For not being afraid. For letting me in. For showing me there is still a spark of emotion in world.' He got up and streched
'Well, I think it is time for sleep. We can search for Nico in the morning'


"Umm... OK. I suppose it is late." Karasu replied. She really wanted him to sleep with her. Not necessarily make love, but just sleep next him. She felt so safe and content with him. She was a little disappointed.

"Good night Andreus, and thank you for showing me the music in your hands. It was amazing." Karasu didn't know what else to call it. "I've had a good time." She kissed him on the cheek.

While he went to his room, Karasu realized she couldn't sleep. Strangely enough, sometimes when she had a couple glasses of wine, it made it difficult for her to sleep.

She decided to go to the firing range for a while to pass the time. It might be fun to see my accuracy, or lack thereof after having a few. And, truth be told, it might take her mind off the fact that she just wanted to fall asleep in Andreus' arms, and was feeling sad. Karasu was confused about what his feelings were toward her. She knew she was falling in love with him, but that the feeling was likely only one way. She sighed dejectedly, trying not to let any tears form.

Karasu got to the firing range and her rifle was still out and set up, and cooled down. This wouldn't be a bad way to spend the night, as tomorrow, she would have to deal w/Nico, Grammian, and all that garbage. She decided to practice on 1000 foot targets for a while. She set the target back 1000 feet, turned the lights out, and got into position.

A man walked in as she was about to shoot. "Excuse me ma'am. Zane asked me to bring these to you. I apologize for the inconvenient time, but he specified to bring it before morning."

Karasu looked down. It was the tailored clothes, cloak, and boots, all made of the sturdiest material, that she had ordered earlier for Andrius. "Thank you Mark." She realized she didn't have any money on her and asked him to follow her. Karasu grabbed a purse and tipped the man. "Thank you for going out of your way." She walked him to the elevator guard, who escorted him out. It was Zane's usual concierge. A nice guy.

Karasu put Andreus' new clothing on a small table outside his bedroom with a short note explaining that these were his new clothes in his size. She didn't want to bring them into his room, should he be sleeping.

Karasu walked back to the firing range and set herself up again. Three shots. She pulled back the target. One bullseye and 2 a fraction off. Well what do I expect after drinking. After a while of practicing sniping, she decided to practice w/her Sig. It was her favorite, but after all, it was heavy. Years ago, it took her quite a while for the kickback not to knock her into the middle of next week. Now she was very accurate with it, but liked to keep in practice.

She pulled the target back. Ten shots... all vital areas. She didn't need to practice with that. Nor the messy Uzi. Karasu thought she'd take a few more shots with the snipe rifle now that it was cooler. Eight hundred feet. Three shots. Two bullseyes and one WAY off. hmmmm...

Karasu was getting tired and was a bit down. As she worked on her rifle, she began to fall asleep. She curled up with her rifle, her arms around it and her head near the top like a pillow. Not the safest way to sleep, but she just fell asleep that way.

The doctors quickly tended to his side, all the while buzzing quietly over his identity. None of them could beleive he had come back, especially when most of them had opposed the field testing to begin with. His training hadn't been complete. He hadn't been fitted with a tracking device. It was just too dangerous, and they had been right. And yet by some strange twist of fate, here he was, come home like a lost dog.

With the wound dressed and cleaned, the next order of business was getting him "home." Nico groaned groggily, feigning waking up. He was careful to portray complacency.

"Kruschev, do you know where you are?"

He grabbed a shoulder for support and slowly tried to stand. Two doctors stepped in for him to lean on, almost lifting him across their shoulders by the arms. They assisted him to containment. An elevator brought them to a sub-basement and opened to a long hallway with closed doors down the length of it. Each door had an observation window cut into it, and most were open for feeding or testing. One room revealed a male with striped skin pacing in agitation. In another was a child with spines running the length of her back and clawed hands. She was curled up in a corner, unmistakably dead. And a dozen others with varying degrees of visible mutilation, most of which were insane or dying. Nico tensed with a sense of anger and disgust.

Finally they came to a door with his number etched into the metal. 65-41728. He stumbled at the threshold, grabbing one of the doctors by the lapel of his lab coat to keep from falling. The man eased him to the ground, unaware that his ID card had come off in Nico's hand. Nico half-dragged himself to a wall and curled up on his side.

"Get some rest, Kruschev.."

The doctors left his cell, locking the door behind them.

"Zzzuh?!" Added Grammian, insightfully, as he was snapped back to the land of the living by the ringing of his phone. He rubbed his eyes and checked the clock. Typical, he hadn't even gotten an hour's sleep.

"Grammian." He answered.

"Kruschev just turned up at the Dekker labs. Get over there."

Some things just weren't worth a million dollars, but he got up nonetheless.

Karasu woke sleepily around four a.m. and rolled over with her rifle in her arms and as her pillow, and continued to sleep, oblivious of what was taking place at this very moment.

'....Good night Karasu' He felt the warm place of her kiss for a moment, and then turned to go into his room. He closed the door behind him and laid ontop of the bed with his hands resting on his chest. He didn't ever quite sleep in the normal sense, but he did rest and let his mind shut down for a while every night. If he didn't, he always felt a little strange.
As he was resting, images flashed through his mind. Hideously warped creatures, men, with various stigma of unnatural alteration, and even one....a child? Dead now, life had been extinguished from the tortured body. What was this place? The walls were oppressive, men in white coats everywhere, men who treated life and death as a trial and error experiment. Men who saw nature and wanted to make so called improvements. Men....
Who had Nico The voice shouted at him
He woke up with a shout, finding himself in a cold sweat with his eyes wide. He held out his hands and saw they were shaking
What stain on the face of humanity was that?!
'And they have Nico' He said without realising it

'....Good night Karasu' He felt the warm place of her kiss for a moment, and then turned to go into his room. He closed the door behind him and laid ontop of the bed with his hands resting on his chest. He didn't ever quite sleep in the normal sense, but he did rest and let his mind shut down for a while every night. If he didn't, he always felt a little strange.
As he was resting, images flashed through his mind. Hideously warped creatures, men, with various stigma of unnatural alteration, and even one....a child? Dead now, life had been extinguished from the tortured body. What was this place? The walls were oppressive, men in white coats everywhere, men who treated life and death as a trial and error experiment. Men who saw nature and wanted to make so called improvements. Men....
Who had Nico The voice shouted at him
He woke up with a shout, finding himself in a cold sweat with his eyes wide. He held out his hands and saw they were shaking
What stain on the face of humanity was that?!
'And they have Nico' He said without realising it

Karasu awoke with a start hearing Andreus scream. She instinctively grabbed her rifle, which she was using for a pillow and ran to his room She flipped the lights on, her eyes wide wondering what had happened.

"Andreus!" She saw him sweating and shaking and put down the rifle. "Andreus! What is it? Please tell me." He was so shaken and almost stunned. Karasu hugged him and tried to calm him down. It really hurt to see him like this.

Karasu tilted Andreus' face up. Such a startled face. She held him to her, his head in one hand and stroking his back with another.

She whispered in his ear "Andreus, please tell me what it was? What did you dream? Did you know you screamed?" she asked him. "You're sweating and shaking." She held each side of his face and looked him in the eyes. "Andreus, please tell me what it was. It was obviously important and frightening. I'm here for you."

Karasu held him tightly, "I'm here for you. Please, share with me? Let me help you this time. It would mean a lot to me, and I know you need to talk. You aren't alone anymore." She kissed him on the cheek.

Karasu felt so bad for this man... shaking, sweating, screaming in the night. She HAD to help.

"Tell me everything." She said soothingly. "You're not alone. You don't have to bear this burden alone. I won't let you." She held him tight and rubbed his back to sooth him so he could calm down and talk.

Karasu awoke with a start hearing Andreus scream. She instinctively grabbed her rifle, which she was using for a pillow and ran to his room She flipped the lights on, her eyes wide wondering what had happened.

"Andreus!" She saw him sweating and shaking and put down the rifle. "Andreus! What is it? Please tell me." He was so shaken and almost stunned. Karasu hugged him and tried to calm him down. It really hurt to see him like this.

Karasu tilted Andreus' face up. Such a startled face. She held him to her, his head in one hand and stroking his back with another.

She whispered in his ear "Andreus, please tell me what it was? What did you dream? Did you know you screamed?" she asked him. "You're sweating and shaking." She held each side of his face and looked him in the eyes. "Andreus, please tell me what it was. It was obviously important and frightening. I'm here for you."

Karasu held him tightly, "I'm here for you. Please, share with me? Let me help you this time. It would mean a lot to me, and I know you need to talk. You aren't alone anymore." She kissed him on the cheek.

Karasu felt so bad for this man... shaking, sweating, screaming in the night. She HAD to help.

"Tell me everything." She said soothingly. "You're not alone. You don't have to bear this burden alone. I won't let you." She held him tight and rubbed his back to sooth him so he could calm down and talk.

'It was...Nico' He screwed his eyes shut to try and block out the images of the mutations in the lab
'He...he's in...' He scraped around in his mind for any clue of where it might be
'A lab...it must have specialised in genetics.....and mutation...' He held his head in his hands as the abhorrent images returned
'It is not a place that should be' He gave a sharp cry of frustration as the information eluded him
'Dekker labs!' He said through gritted teeth
'Thats where Nico is! Its where he became, where he was born again' His breathing was shallow, he felt so unclean that those things had been in his head. His body had harboured those images and the very knoledge was repulsive to him. He staggered to the window and flung open the window to look out, but even the fresh air did nothing. He sank to his knees and hugged Karasu's legs like a child.
'The men in there, the children, the....they had been violated. Thier basic rights to life have been stripped from them!'

'It was...Nico' He screwed his eyes shut to try and block out the images of the mutations in the lab
'He...he's in...' He scraped around in his mind for any clue of where it might be
'A lab...it must have specialised in genetics....and mutation...' He held his head in his hands as the abhorrent images returned
'It is not a place that should be' He gave a sharp cry of frustration as the information eluded him
'Dekker labs!' He said through gritted teeth
'Thats where Nico is! Its where he became, where he was born again' His breathing was shallow, he felt so unclean that those things had been in his head. His body had harboured those images and the very knoledge was repulsive to him. He staggered to the window and flung open the window to look out, but even the fresh air did nothing. He sank to his knees and hugged Karasu's legs like a child.
'The men in there, the children, the....they had been violated. Thier basic rights to life have been stripped from them!'

It finally sunk in. These were not dreams. Somehow Andreus had visions.

Karasu crouched down with him and held him. "Andreus, I just realized now... these are not dreams you have, but visions! How can you...?" She could not finish her sentence, but she knew what he said was the truth. She just knew.

"Andreus, listen to me. We are going to do something about this. We will stop them. I don't know how exactly. Grammian is with them now. The security will undoubtedly be extremely tight, plus, they are looking for us in particular. There are snipers after us. We are going to have to disguise ourselves somehow, and get in there."

Karasu felt horrible seeing Andreus like this, knowing he was seeing things she could not even imagine.

"We have to think this out. We can't trust all of the government. Zane's contact is Ace. I believe he is trustworthy." Karasu sighed. "Ace wants me to be his 'date' for the ball for the Sovereigness tomorrow night. There will be Artemis people there, as well as the man Ace reports to; the head of the Department of Defense, Ace’s boss. This might have worked before, but now that Artemis is looking for me, I don't know. This would be an opportunity for me to see these men; however, Grammian spilled his guts." Karasu felt enraged.

"We can't just barge in there... We will be dead for sure. If we can wait until the ball, which is tomorrow night, Zane could tell Ace that I couldn't make it, and I could go in disguise as 'Karaina's' assistant, unbeknownst to him until Zane tells him. I can be disguised well enough that even Grammian wouldn't recognize me." She stated. "This way, I can see who we're dealing with. The only thing is that I absolutely want you there. Your abilities would be absolutely necessary."

Karasu's mind was spinning. "Zane can easily get you an invitation under a different name. Disguising you might be a little difficult, but it can be done." She sighed.

"I just don't think we can barge into Dekker. Not until we know whom we're dealing with, and at this point, I think we'll be shot dead. I do think that Nico would not let himself be captured. I think he has a plan. He's too smart to get caught this easily."

Tears came to Karasu's eyes as she held Andreus. "I think this job is specifically for us. You spoke of repentance. If we can stop this atrocity, it will be a miracle." She looked him in the eyes. He was so upset, and it hurt to see him like this.

"Andreus," she whispered, "we will stop them. We have to. How do you feel about going to the ball? You could wear your cape and stay a bit out of sight. I'll be there with Ace." Karasu rolled her eyes. "We would have to disguise you as well, but believe me; Zane has a man who can do it."

Karasu thought this was the best idea.

"This way, I can meet the Artemis people, find out who's the head of it, and after, on my way out, I'll tell Ace that all info will be relayed to 'Karina'. Of course, I will be armed to the teeth, discretely, of course.. I will also tell him all info on Nico and everything else we know. He can then go to the head of the Department of Defense. Immediately afterwards, I will excuse myself and we'll head straight for Dekker."

Karasu was feeling a bit stressed.

"Does this plan sound OK to you? I think it would be the best way, as the big wigs from Artemis will be at the ball when we leave for Dekker."

Karasu held Andreus' shoulders and stood him up. "We can do this. I think you know we can too. We'll release these people, and we can discuss what to do with those who are committing these atrocities, although I already know what I'd like to do." Kill every last one of the bastards.

Karasu held Andreus..."It will be OK. We will stop them. If you have a better plan, please say so."

She thought of something. "Andreus, in the closet I have about ten robes like the one you are wearing. Why don't you change into a fresh one, since you sweat so badly through the one you’re wearing. Help yourself. I'm going to go to the bathroom to get something for you. Just lay down in bed when you change." Karasu walked into the bathroom.

She filled a bowl full of cool water, and went to the closet and got a washcloth and a towel. She knocked on the door to make sure Andreus was 'decent'. He was so shy. She then walked in to see him changed and lying in bed.

Karasu set the bowl of cool water on the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed. She proceeded to place the washcloth in cool water and wring it out, then placing it on Andreus' sweating face to sooth him.

"Andreus, I hope this is helping." Karasu dabbed at his face and then dried it with the dry towel. The look on his face was devastating.

"Andreus, I'm not usually so forward." She slid into bed beside him and held him. "I only want to be here for you. It hurts to see you hurt like this." She hugged him tightly trying to comfort him.

"If I may ask, how is it that you see these visions? I have never heard of such a thing... at least not legitimately, the way your visions are."

Karasu wanted to get his mind off the particular visions he had tonight. "Also, please allow me to sleep next to you. I just want to be with you while you're going through this. Hopefully I can comfort you."

She kissed him lightly on the cheek and held him, looking at him. "You aren't alone. You always have me. I am here for you Andreus... always. Please tell me how these visions began, unless, of course, it's upsetting for you." She put her head on his shoulder.

Grammian grumbled to himself all the way to the Dekker labs. It was one thing having a long, weird day like the one he was having, but it was another to be woken up after an hour's sleep to go continue said day. He was careful to bring his guns with him; contract or not, he was old enough to be paranoid with good cause.

He arrived at the gate to the Dekker labs and pressed the buzzer. "Grammian here. You phoned me with regards to a Mr. Kruschev."

Karasu was actually sufferring seeing Andreus this way. She wished there was something more she could do for him. Getting Artemis and their leader, as well as their client would be the best she could do. As far as she knew, their client was part of the government, or another government... terrorist group... she had no idea.

"Andreus, I just thought of something. This is causing you great sufferring. If it is too much and if you would like, I will take care of this myself. I can't affect electronics, but I'm sure I can manage a way. I don't want to see you hurting like this." She looked him in the eyes.

"Another thing... way off topic, keep all the robes, clothes, whatever you want from around here. Oh, and by the way, the concierge brought your new clothes several hours ago. They are outside the room on a table. They're the same as what you've been wearing until now, but I believe the fabric is a bit more durable."

She chuckled, "Zane can snap his fingers and have just about anything done, anytime.

This includes disguising you to the point of not having to wear a cloak... just a tux. That might be an interesting change for you. I have to admit that Zane's disguise man is a bit humorous. He's a theater make-up man. He is the television stereotype homosexual, and he's quite 'flaming', so to speak. He's a good guy." Karasu laughed remembering the last time he disguised her.

"Also, I'd like you there, if it doesn't bother you, as I don't want to spend all my time with Ace... just enough time to meet the Artemis people, Dekker people, and find out who is the head of everything, if possible. Ace will introduce me to them, I'm sure."

Karasu was wishing she let the sniper nail Grammian. "I won't look anything like myself, as that bastard Grammian will likely be there." Karasu stated with vitriol in her voice. "Neither will you, should you decide to go.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring this up again. Now, back to my question: How is it you have these visions? It's quite amazing, and... can you force them? As in can you visualize who the client is?

Sorry... I'm being selfish. Just get some sleep if you'd like. You've had a really rough night. I can't imagine what you're going through, and I'm so sorry for your burdon."

Karasu held him tightly, a tear falling from her eye.

Karasu was actually sufferring seeing Andreus this way. She wished there was something more she could do for him. Getting Artemis and their leader, as well as their client would be the best she could do. As far as she knew, their client was part of the government, or another government... terrorist group... she had no idea.

"Andreus, I just thought of something. This is causing you great sufferring. If it is too much and if you would like, I will take care of this myself. I can't affect electronics, but I'm sure I can manage a way. I don't want to see you hurting like this." She looked him in the eyes.

"Another thing... way off topic, keep all the robes, clothes, whatever you want from around here. Oh, and by the way, the concierge brought your new clothes several hours ago. They are outside the room on a table. They're the same as what you've been wearing until now, but I believe the fabric is a bit more durable."

She chuckled, "Zane can snap his fingers and have just about anything done, anytime.

This includes disguising you to the point of not having to wear a cloak... just a tux. That might be an interesting change for you. I have to admit that Zane's disguise man is a bit humorous. He's a theater make-up man. He is the television stereotype homosexual, and he's quite 'flaming', so to speak. He's a good guy." Karasu laughed remembering the last time he disguised her.

"Also, I'd like you there, if it doesn't bother you, as I don't want to spend all my time with Ace... just enough time to meet the Artemis people, Dekker people, and find out who is the head of everything, if possible. Ace will introduce me to them, I'm sure."

Karasu was wishing she let the sniper nail Grammian. "I won't look anything like myself, as that bastard Grammian will likely be there." Karasu stated with vitriol in her voice. "Neither will you, should you decide to go.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring this up again. Now, back to my question: How is it you have these visions? It's quite amazing, and... can you force them? As in can you visualize who the client is?

Sorry... I'm being selfish. Just get some sleep if you'd like. You've had a really rough night. I can't imagine what you're going through, and I'm so sorry for your burdon."

Karasu held him tightly, a tear falling from her eye.

He wrestled with the images in his head, it just felt so wrong to him, alone with them in his mind. Then he felt somthing slide down the side of his cheek, Karasu's tear
No....not alone
'I will help' He said quietly
'It's....it's those things. I get the visions in my head, when I need them.' He pressed a fist to his heart
'I get them when god sees fit. They are a comfort, but sometimes less so.' He searched round in his memory for more information
'No...no, just Dekker labs. Thats all that's there' He sighed
'I just know we must get Nico out. But more than that' He looked up to her from where he was kneeling
'Such a place cannot be allowed to exist. When you see, you will understand' He got up slightly unsteadily, but then got his balance and picked up the new robes left for him. He felt the fabric interestedly and tried it on. It was far more comfortable than his old ones, lighter, more flexible, and he noted much cleaner. He pulled the hood up and felt it on his neck and then let it back down
'Thank you Karasu, I will wear it all the more knowing it is a gift from a....' He shifted his feet slightly
'-Friend' He settled for, although the word didn't quite fit for what he felt.
'A tuxedo?' He looked down at himself
'He certainly sounds skilled, to be able to pull that off ' He smiled

He wrestled with the images in his head, it just felt so wrong to him, alone with them in his mind. Then he felt somthing slide down the side of his cheek, Karasu's tear
No....not alone
'I will help' He said quietly
'It's....it's those things. I get the visions in my head, when I need them.' He pressed a fist to his heart
'I get them when god sees fit. They are a comfort, but sometimes less so.' He searched round in his memory for more information
'No...no, just Dekker labs. Thats all that's there' He sighed
'I just know we must get Nico out. But more than that' He looked up to her from where he was kneeling
'Such a place cannot be allowed to exist. When you see, you will understand' He got up slightly unsteadily, but then got his balance and picked up the new robes left for him. He felt the fabric interestedly and tried it on. It was far more comfortable than his old ones, lighter, more flexible, and he noted much cleaner. He pulled the hood up and felt it on his neck and then let it back down
'Thank you Karasu, I will wear it all the more knowing it is a gift from a....' He shifted his feet slightly
'-Friend' He settled for, although the word didn't quite fit for what he felt.
'A tuxedo?' He looked down at himself
'He certainly sounds skilled, to be able to pull that off ' He smiled

"So you're OK with the idea of going to this ball to see who we're dealing with? You'll come with me. But I will spend time with Ace and give him the info he needs, and get what I need. I will have him either point out or introduce me to the bastards."

"Friend." The word echoed over and over in Karasu's head. It was painful. A pain she was not used to. She thought she meant more to him. Karasu realized she loved this man with all her heart, and his term for her was "friend".

When he said it, she didn't let the pain show on her face, but she had pain in her chest and stomach. Was I really meant to never know true love... reciprocated? Maybe so. Maybe I am just a killing machine. Perhaps my parents were right. She remembered: "You are a killing machine. It is your life. Do not even consider yourself human. You have no friends. You cannot have friends. It will compromise you one day and get you killed." Those were her mother's words... yet she was married... right?... to another killer. Karasu sighed.

"I'll call Zane and tell him tomorrow's plan so he can arrange it with Ace and get the appropriate people here to get us ready." She told Andreus. "By the way, all the makeup is almost like a mask and feels like shit, but it will only be for tomorrow night. As long as you're feeling better, I suppose I should go get some sleep. You get some sleep as well. Good night Andreus."

Karasu turned and went back to her room. She put on one of her favorite songs that expressed exactly how she felt. She did this often. "Twisted Nerve", by the Damned... one of her favorite bands. These lyrics always tore at her... especially the first verse:

"No room for errors no room for mistakes...
No time for friends it's for your own sake...
It's FOR YOUR OWN SAKE!

Look in the window and what do I see...
A killer's face looking at me!
Look in the window and what do I see?

Twists and turns
Twisted nerve
Twists and turns
Twisted nerve"

The truth was, Andreus had someone to love him: her, but she had no one to love her. Toughen up bitch. she said to herself. Think about the job.

She called Zane and gave him the rundown. There was no problem with any of it. Great. Everything was in place. But then, why was she sobbing into her pillow?

"So you're OK with the idea of going to this ball to see who we're dealing with? You'll come with me. But I will spend time with Ace and give him the info he needs, and get what I need. I will have him either point out or introduce me to the bastards."

"Friend." The word echoed over and over in Karasu's head. It was painful. A pain she was not used to. She thought she meant more to him. Karasu realized she loved this man with all her heart, and his term for her was "friend".

When he said it, she didn't let the pain show on her face, but she had pain in her chest and stomach. Was I really meant to never know true love... reciprocated? Maybe so. Maybe I am just a killing machine. Perhaps my parents were right. She remembered: "You are a killing machine. It is your life. Do not even consider yourself human. You have no friends. You cannot have friends. It will compromise you one day and get you killed." Those were her mother's words... yet she was married... right?... to another killer. Karasu sighed.

"I'll call Zane and tell him tomorrow's plan so he can arrange it with Ace and get the appropriate people here to get us ready." She told Andreus. "By the way, all the makeup is almost like a mask and feels like shit, but it will only be for tomorrow night. As long as you're feeling better, I suppose I should go get some sleep. You get some sleep as well. Good night Andreus."

Karasu turned and went back to her room. She put on one of her favorite songs that expressed exactly how she felt. She did this often. "Twisted Nerve", by the Damned... one of her favorite bands. These lyrics always tore at her... especially the first verse:

"No room for errors no room for mistakes...
No time for friends it's for your own sake...
It's FOR YOUR OWN SAKE!

Look in the window and what do I see...
A killer's face looking at me!
Look in the window and what do I see?

Twists and turns
Twisted nerve
Twists and turns
Twisted nerve"

The truth was, Andreus had someone to love him: her, but she had no one to love her. Toughen up bitch. she said to herself. Think about the job.

She called Zane and gave him the rundown. There was no problem with any of it. Great. Everything was in place. But then, why was she sobbing into her pillow?

Andreus was about to turn into his room ,then he heard somthing. A quiet noise from Karasu's room. He listened carefully although he felt wrong doing so, and heard
Sobbing....
What would she be crying about? He moved a hand hesitantly towards the doorhandle, and made a descision and walked quietly in
'I believe you offered your company tonight?' He sat on the bed and carefully lifted her head from the pillow
'I hope you don't mind' He kissed her softly on the lips and tucked her in
'I'll be right here' He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and sat down in the chair beside the bed bowing his head to rest
'Goodnight...sweet Karasu' He said quietly under his breath

Andreus was about to turn into his room ,then he heard somthing. A quiet noise from Karasu's room. He listened carefully although he felt wrong doing so, and heard
Sobbing....
What would she be crying about? He moved a hand hesitantly towards the doorhandle, and made a descision and walked quietly in
'I believe you offered your company tonight?' He sat on the bed and carefully lifted her head from the pillow
'I hope you don't mind' He kissed her softly on the lips and tucked her in
'I'll be right here' He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and sat down in the chair beside the bed bowing his head to rest
'Goodnight...sweet Karasu' He said quietly under his breath

"Oh... Andreus." She wiped her eyes quickly. "No, I-I don't mind." She was very surprised, especially when he kissed her. He was so hard to read. He really had her confused.

He sat down in the chair. "No Andreus... Please, you don't have to sleep in the chair." Karasu moved over. "There is plenty of room here. I'm not trying to seduce you or anything... honestly. Please just lie down, OK?"

Then it occurred to her what music she was listening to and that Andreus heard it too. She felt like she was spilling her guts, however, she couldn't find the remote.

"Um... do you see the CD remote? I'll turn this off." Karasu was very embarrassed.

"Ahhhhh... I-I'm sorry..."

"Oh... Andreus." She wiped her eyes quickly. "No, I-I don't mind." She was very surprised, especially when he kissed her. He was so hard to read. He really had her confused.

He sat down in the chair. "No Andreus... Please, you don't have to sleep in the chair." Karasu moved over. "There is plenty of room here. I'm not trying to seduce you or anything... honestly. Please just lie down, OK?"

Then it occurred to her what music she was listening to and that Andreus heard it too. She felt like she was spilling her guts, however, she couldn't find the remote.

"Um... do you see the CD remote? I'll turn this off." Karasu was very embarrassed.

"Ahhhhh... I-I'm sorry..."

He listened to the music for a second and then looked at Karasu.
'Don't get up' He waved a hand and the music shut off
'Please' He hesitantly took off his cloak and shirt before laying down next to her
'Please do not think that life has turned you to a killer, I know killers. The raw passion of the blood flowing beneath your hands, being drawn from somthing that was alive not a few seconds ago, feeling the rush of control that comes with ending a life. All somthing killers are addicted too. I should know' He smiled and held her to him
'Nothing could ever convince me you are anything but a young woman who has been used for purpouses that should never have existed' He murmered in her ear

He listened to the music for a second and then looked at Karasu.
'Don't get up' He waved a hand and the music shut off
'Please' He hesitantly took off his cloak and shirt before laying down next to her
'Please do not think that life has turned you to a killer, I know killers. The raw passion of the blood flowing beneath your hands, being drawn from somthing that was alive not a few seconds ago, feeling the rush of control that comes with ending a life. All somthing killers are addicted too. I should know' He smiled and held her to him
'Nothing could ever convince me you are anything but a young woman who has been used for purpouses that should never have existed' He murmered in her ear

"Thank you Andreus." She held him tight. "But I have to admit, killing the ones who have done what you have seen would be a pleasure, I think. Maybe not a pleasure, but a necessity." Karasu continued, "Years ago, I was proud of my reputation as 'The Raven'... being infamous, more or less, but I don't want that now. I'm not proud of what I used to do... for the money. It didn't matter who. That changed and now it does matter who. Those such as the monsters that perverted Nico and the others you've seen. If these bastards live, how can we insure they don't do it again?" She sighed.

"It isn't my right to make these life or death decisions, but somehow, I feel obligated. Andreus, how do you feel about what should be done with those who commited these atrocities? I don't trust the authorities or the government that much... not enough to turn them over. I fear them being used for the same purpose. What do you think?"

"Yes, Mr. Grammian, you are expected."

With a soft click, the magnetic lock on the perimeter gate was released, sliding open to allow him access to an employee parking lot, and beyond a door which led to a recieving area. A few doctors were already gathering to meet him.

----

It was that hazy time of day when late-night blurred into very early-morning. When it was simply dark and quiet, and time of day did not seem to matter. Only sleep. The staff at Dekker was reduced to a skeleton of support and night watchmen. He remembered doctors sitting in the cell with him, trying to teach him their lessons, or to relay their warped sense of counselling. He stood and examined the door quietly, quickly finding the hidden keypad where they had so often touched to escape. Withdrawing the ID badge, he swiped the magnetic strip and smiled as the lock beeped softly to signify that it had disengaged.

It was always easier to get out of the cells and the hallway than it was to get in. To get in, retinal or fingerprint scans were necessary, but the thought here was for a quick escape if he or one of his "siblings" became violent or uncontrolled.

At the cell with the dead and tortured child, he touched the glass reverantly, staring at the lifeless form for a few long seconds. Turning, he retrieved the loaded pistol from his ankle and slowly made his way to the far end of the hall after tearing some of the heavy cloth material from his own bed area. The man with striped skin growled at him through the glass. Nicola wrapped the cloth around the muzzle of his pistol for a makeshift silencer. With a steady aim, he squeezed off one shot and looked away after his bullet found its mark in the creature's forehead. They all had to die. Life for them would be painful and meaningless. No free will.. no free thought.. nothing but tools. And sooner or later, they would be trained to hunt him. Pulling out another handful of rounds, he turned to the next cage in line.

Finally reaching the end of the hall, he reloaded the pistol and let the shells remain where they fell. Scanning the ID again, he crept down a shorter cooridor to the elevator, leaving the dead behind.

"Thank you Andreus." She held him tight. "But I have to admit, killing the ones who have done what you have seen would be a pleasure, I think. Maybe not a pleasure, but a necessity." Karasu continued, "Years ago, I was proud of my reputation as 'The Raven'... being infamous, more or less, but I don't want that now. I'm not proud of what I used to do... for the money. It didn't matter who. That changed and now it does matter who. Those such as the monsters that perverted Nico and the others you've seen. If these bastards live, how can we insure they don't do it again?" She sighed.

"It isn't my right to make these life or death decisions, but somehow, I feel obligated. Andreus, how do you feel about what should be done with those who commited these atrocities? I don't trust the authorities or the government that much... not enough to turn them over. I fear them being used for the same purpose. What do you think?"

The problem is, for me, it may be pleasure. To kill those men who committed such deeds. It is what I am afraid of more than the creatures themselves.

'They cannot be allowed to carry on' He simply stated
'First thing in the morning, the afternoon, as soon as we can. I want what they are doing to end.' He closed his eyes and put an arm over Karasu as he fell asleep

The problem is, for me, it may be pleasure. To kill those men who committed such deeds. It is what I am afraid of more than the creatures themselves.

'They cannot be allowed to carry on' He simply stated
'First thing in the morning, the afternoon, as soon as we can. I want what they are doing to end.' He closed his eyes and put an arm over Karasu as he fell asleep

Karasu hated to wake Andreus. He looked like an angel sleeping... a really buff angel. Karasu chuckled. Nevertheless, she had to wake him.

"Andreus, please let's wait until tomorrow night during the ball. Then we can SEE who is ordering this, and get to Dekker while they aren't there. Can you wait that long? Zane already made arrangements for the disguises, invites, and all of that. Nothing will stop if we don't find out who is in charge of all of this. They can just find someone else to do their dirty work. Please wait. Tomorrow night. We can make our move then.

I know you want it done now, but I don't think it's prudent, plus, as I said, everything is set up, and Ace may have some information that could help us. Let's plan on tomorrow night, OK? Please?" Karasu begged.

"Those in charge have to be stopped. They should be getting ready for the ball tomorrow. It is for the Soveriegness, after all. Let's just wait until tomorrow night. The cover of night is always better. Please Andreus?" She begged him again.

Grammian entered the labs, giving his tired eyes a rub as he did so. As he walked, he weighed up his money and a good night's sleep in his head. So far the money was winning.

Just.

He yawned, stretched and grabbed a scientist nearby. "I'm looking for Kruschev. Where is he?"

"Down in the holding cells. I trust you would like to verify this for yourself?"

Without really waiting for an answer, the tech headed towards an elevator watching Grammian over his shoulder expectantly. It was unclear whether he really expected Grammian to follow.

As Karasu finished speaking with Andreus, the 'Zane Phone' rang. Yippee.

"Talk to me," she said.

"Karasu, it turns out that the ball may be delayed or not held at all, I will inform you of any new developements as they happen. Goodbye." That was all Zane said.

Well if that doesn't just screw everything up!

Karasu went back to the bedroom and Andreus was sound asleep. She didn't want to wake him, so she decided to wait until morning to tell him. That way they could come up with an alternate plan.

Grammian followed the tech into the elevator and stood straight.

"So he just wandered into this place with a few scratches? Unarmed, I take it. Am I the only one who thinks this whole thing stinks to high heaven?"

"Truth be told, I found it a little strange as well. But he was pretty calm while we worked with him. I think that's the real reason they put him in the cell... just to be safe until his doctors come in the morning."

The doors shut quietly, and the tech searched his pockets for his missing ID. He would need authorization to reach the bottom floor, but the damn thing wasn't in any of his pockets.

"I had it just a little while ago.." he cursed under his breath.

The elevator lurched to a start, descending despite a curious and somewhat uncertain look from the tech.

Grammian's eyes narrowed.

"What is it? What have you lost?" He asked, reaching into his jacket. Paranoia, perhaps, but it always felt good to be holding a firearm when things seemed to be going wrong.

Karasu couldn't fall back asleep. Perhaps Andreus' plan of attacking in morning or afternoon would be the only other option. No, there were always other options. Think! Think! Karasu knew that would likely be a death sentence.

She sat up in bed and watched Andreus breathing... then a different idea came to her. I could try to meditate for guidance. Although I think I'm going to feel silly doing this. She decided to give it a shot. Clear your mind. Karasu tried to clear her mind and became extremely frustrated. It's like saying "don't think of a pink elephant"! Ugh! The more she tried to clear her mind, the more it backfired.

OK, I'll try this. I remember hearing of a Zen version of meditation where you ask yourself an unanswerable question and continue to ponder it to clear everything else out. Karasu decided to ponder the beginning of the universe and how many universes there may be, and parallel universes and all of those who knows questions. It did calm her down. She sat with her eyes closed until she was thinking only about parallel universes. Specifically Parallel Polar Opposite Universes. Where your white sock goes through the wormhole in your drier and ends up black on the other side. She giggled to herself. This was always her theory.

Then she came up with an idea. There was no reason they couldn't still go to Dekker completely disguised, should the ball be canceled. They had to come up with a good reason for being there. That one would require some work. What exactly they would do would have to be planned, as well as how they would go about it.

There was also the option of going in at night in a stealth way, from the roof.

I guess they would have to wait until they heard from Zane.

Karasu looked at Andreus and hoped she could convince him to wait until evening... at least until they had some more information. They could see if there was any information on TV as well.

She assumed that motherfu... Grammian was not staying at his office. He would be an easy target for me. As much as what Andreus said had sunk in, and she agreed with it, the idea of whacking Grammian always put a smile on her face.

She grinned.

Grammian's eyes narrowed.

"What is it? What have you lost?" He asked, reaching into his jacket. Paranoia, perhaps, but it always felt good to be holding a firearm when things seemed to be going wrong.
"My ID badge.. I need it for clearance."

He was slightly unnerved that the elevator was moving despite a lack of clearance, but nothing could be done about it now.

"Something's not right, is it." He stated, not asked. Clearance presumably meant for the elevator to start moving. He tightened his grip on the pistol in his jacket and glanced around the elevator. It was at times like those that he was glad he wasn't claustrophobic.

Karasu couldn't fall back asleep. Perhaps Andreus' plan of attacking in morning or afternoon would be the only other option. No, there were always other options. Think! Think! Karasu knew that would likely be a death sentence.

She sat up in bed and watched Andreus breathing... then a different idea came to her. I could try to meditate for guidance. Although I think I'm going to feel silly doing this. She decided to give it a shot. Clear your mind. Karasu tried to clear her mind and became extremely frustrated. It's like saying "don't think of a pink elephant"! Ugh! The more she tried to clear her mind, the more it backfired.

OK, I'll try this. I remember hearing of a Zen version of meditation where you ask yourself an unanswerable question and continue to ponder it to clear everything else out. Karasu decided to ponder the beginning of the universe and how many universes there may be, and parallel universes and all of those who knows questions. It did calm her down. She sat with her eyes closed until she was thinking only about parallel universes. Specifically Parallel Polar Opposite Universes. Where your white sock goes through the wormhole in your drier and ends up black on the other side. She giggled to herself. This was always her theory.

Then she came up with an idea. There was no reason they couldn't still go to Dekker completely disguised, should the ball be canceled. They had to come up with a good reason for being there. That one would require some work. What exactly they would do would have to be planned, as well as how they would go about it.

There was also the option of going in at night in a stealth way, from the roof.

I guess they would have to wait until they heard from Zane.

Karasu looked at Andreus and hoped she could convince him to wait until evening... at least until they had some more information. They could see if there was any information on TV as well.

She assumed that motherfu... Grammian was not staying at his office. He would be an easy target for me. As much as what Andreus said had sunk in, and she agreed with it, the idea of whacking Grammian always put a smile on her face.

She grinned.

The next morning he woke up to find Karasu breathing softly on his neck. He got up carefully so as not to wake her and make his way to the kitchen. He helped himself to some juice from the fridge and sat down on a chair in the room. He spotted the music player in the lounge and hesitantly pressed a few buttons to see what happened. Music came blaring out of the stereo and he hurridly turned down the volume. He had never heard this kind of music before, sort of livley, loud but interesting. He looked down at the reader
Faint- Linkin Park
He shrugged, music had strange names these days. He went back into the kitchen after an interesting idea. He flipped some bread into the toaster and mixed up some batter with one hand as he poured juice with the other. Eventually he was finished and he arranged it on a tray.
'Breakfast is served' Andreus said smiling with his head poked around the door.

The next morning he woke up to find Karasu breathing softly on his neck. He got up carefully so as not to wake her and make his way to the kitchen. He helped himself to some juice from the fridge and sat down on a chair in the room. He spotted the music player in the lounge and hesitantly pressed a few buttons to see what happened. Music came blaring out of the stereo and he hurridly turned down the volume. He had never heard this kind of music before, sort of livley, loud but interesting. He looked down at the reader
Faint- Linkin Park
He shrugged, music had strange names these days. He went back into the kitchen after an interesting idea. He flipped some bread into the toaster and mixed up some batter with one hand as he poured juice with the other. Eventually he was finished and he arranged it on a tray.
'Breakfast is served' Andreus said smiling with his head poked around the door.

"Oh! Good morning Andreus. You made breakfast! That was really sweet of you. You didn't have to do that, although I have to say I appreciate it. I'm so used to grabbing a breakfast bar and running out the door." Karasu grinned.

She got up and went with Andreus to the kitchen. "Looks good!" she smiled. Karasu took a bite, "And tastes good! Thanks!" She kissed him on the cheek.

"I hope I didn't wake you. I was attempting to meditate last night." she said, a bit embarrassed. She laughed, "I've come to the conclusion that I am unable to empty or clear my mind... too much going on in there, but I did make some progress with the Zen method, which is OK if you want to boggle your mind thinking about Polar Opposite Parallel Universes." She turned a bit red. "I suppose that makes no sense to you." she chuckled.

"Anyway, there is a possible change in plans. We have to wait for Zane to call. The ball may be postponed or cancelled, but we have to wait before we act. We have some other good options if it is cancelled... But we can't just barge in there in broad daylight, Andreus. I'll tell you a few of my ideas after I'm done with this delicious breakfast." She smiled.

"Oh, and by the way, you have convinced me not to whack Grammian... but I can at least wish he would get run over by a bus today, can't I?" She grinned at Andreus.

"Something's not right, is it." He stated, not asked. Clearance presumably meant for the elevator to start moving. He tightened his grip on the pistol in his jacket and glanced around the elevator. It was at times like those that he was glad he wasn't claustrophobic.
"Maybe security overrode the commands for you?"

It was wishful thinking and he knew it, but didn't want to alarm this important guest. The elevator beeped quietly as they passed each floor and finally slowed to a stop at the lowest level. As the doors slid open, the tech was greeted by a bullet to the throat. Nico waited in the shadows until the doors opened enough for him to see if there was anyone else inside.

Grammian produced the revolver from his jacket and aimed it at the tech. He felt bad about it, really; the guy didn't deserve having his life threatened. But Grammian was too fond of his own life to start being overly pleasant to people.

"Start walking. I'll follow you." He said.

Nico couldn't believe the tech was still walking, let alone that the direction carried him out of the elevator. He fired off a second round, this time hitting the tech in the temple before squeezing himself further into the shadows. From his angle, most of the interior of the elevator was still out of his line of sight. Drawing back the hammer, he waited.

Grammian pressed himself against the wall of the elevator and pulled back the hammer of his pistol. The situation was possibly the worst he could ever think of; trapped in an enclosed space against an enemy he couldn't see.

"Nico Kruschev? It's Grammian! I've come to help you!" He shouted, trying to actually become part of the wall he was pressed against.

"Grammian?"

He kept the pistol drawn but stepped out of the shadows a bit.

"Come out where I can see you. What the hell are you doing here?"

"Oh! Good morning Andreus. You made breakfast! That was really sweet of you. You didn't have to do that, although I have to say I appreciate it. I'm so used to grabbing a breakfast bar and running out the door." Karasu grinned.

She got up and went with Andreus to the kitchen. "Looks good!" she smiled. Karasu took a bite, "And tastes good! Thanks!" She kissed him on the cheek.

"I hope I didn't wake you. I was attempting to meditate last night." she said, a bit embarrassed. She laughed, "I've come to the conclusion that I am unable to empty or clear my mind... too much going on in there, but I did make some progress with the Zen method, which is OK if you want to boggle your mind thinking about Polar Opposite Parallel Universes." She turned a bit red. "I suppose that makes no sense to you." she chuckled.

"Anyway, there is a possible change in plans. We have to wait for Zane to call. The ball may be postponed or cancelled, but we have to wait before we act. We have some other good options if it is cancelled... But we can't just barge in there in broad daylight, Andreus. I'll tell you a few of my ideas after I'm done with this delicious breakfast." She smiled.

"Oh, and by the way, you have convinced me not to whack Grammian... but I can at least wish he would get run over by a bus today, can't I?" She grinned at Andreus.


'Ah, now busses are fine' he smiled
'Although in my opinion the only universe worth worrying about is this one. It's the only one where I can get breakfast' Somthing ocured to him and he paused
'You said....you said we could not walk in in broad daylight. I'm not so sure, father Mkutchin always said that the most disguised things are hidden in broad daylight. So perhaps...' He talked his plan out with her as she ate her breakfast
OOC: TG :D

Grammian let the pistol hang loose on his index and stepped out the lift, his hands raised in the classic, 'Dear god, don't blow my head off' position.

"I'm here to get you out of here. Don't rush to thank me or anything." He said, stepping further out the lift.

'Ah, now busses are fine' he smiled
'Although in my opinion the only universe worth worrying about is this one. It's the only one where I can get breakfast' Somthing ocured to him and he paused
'You said....you said we could not walk in in broad daylight. I'm not so sure, father Mkutchin always said that the most disguised things are hidden in broad daylight. So perhaps...' He talked his plan out with her as she ate her breakfast
OOC: TG :D

After listening to Andreus' plan, she thought a moment. "The only question is, how can we do this if we aren't expected? Otherwise, it sounds fine to me, and we can get the disguises no problem... the sooner the better. But they won't just let us in without being expected by someone... What about that?"

After listening to Andreus' plan, she thought a moment. "The only question is, how can we do this if we aren't expected? Otherwise, it sounds fine to me, and we can get the disguises no problem... the sooner the better. But they won't just let us in without being expected by someone... What about that?"

'In my experience, people with money in sufficient amounts are seldom stopped. It is not what you say, but the tone in which you say it' He smiled

'In my experience, people with money in sufficient amounts are seldom stopped. It is not what you say, but the tone in which you say it' He smiled

"OK, I'll call Zane and have him bring makeup and wardrobe over and go over the plan. I'll leave it up to you, Andreus, to make arrangements to get in. I have whatever cash will be needed." She smiled and left Andreus to make whatever phone calls he needed to make, while Karasu went to call Zane.

"Zane, I need makeup and wardrobe here as soon as possible," and proceeded to describe their plan of action.

"Great. Thanks Zane... in a few minutes? Great!"

Andreus was still on the phone, fake re-call # of course, so Karasu wrote him a note telling him that the crew would be there in a few minutes.

I hope this works. she thought.

Grammian let the pistol hang loose on his index and stepped out the lift, his hands raised in the classic, 'Dear god, don't blow my head off' position.

"I'm here to get you out of here. Don't rush to thank me or anything." He said, stepping further out the lift.
Nico couldn't have been more relieved if Jesus himself had stepped out of those mechanical doors. He lowered his piece but kept the hammer drawn. Sooner or later they'd have company.

"We have to get out of here. Now. I killed them all.."

He strode quickly to the elevator, and pulled Grammian in while nudging the tech's sprawled limbs out of the door.

"Do you have a vehicle?"

Not too long after speaking with him, Zane arrived with Ande' and Charmaigne. Ande' was the theater makeup man, and Charmaigne did wardrobe and makeup as well.

"Ande' and Charmaigne, this is 'Andrew', and you both know 'Karina'", Zane introduced them.

"Pleased to m-m-meet you Andrew," Charmaigne said rather shocked.

Ande's reaction, on the other hand was quite different. "Oh AN-drew! You are going to be SUCH a fun challenge! I can't WAIT to get started! Oh my Zane, you NEVER told me how much FUN this would be!" Ande' was quite excited about the prospect of making over 'Andrew'. "You will be my MASTERPIECE!" Ande' announced, as if on stage.

"And as for you Miss Karina, we're going to make you a blonde today", Ande' stated and Charmaigne nodded her head.

"Not blonde! I look awful with blonde hair! Green would be better!" Karasu pouted.

"Tut tut Karina... Who are the professionals here?" Ande' flamboyantly replied.

"You two are." Karasu mumbled frowning.

"Remember that, and all will go well!" Ande' clapped his hands.

"Now let's get started. First Andrew, we need to measure you for a tailored Armani suit, and Karina, we need to measure you for a tailored suit as well. Something professional. A toned down Chanel. Of course it will be modified for your weapons." Ande' smiled as he went about measuring Andreus, who looked a bit shocked and uncomfortable having two strangers poking at him and measuring him.

"By the time we're done, neither of you will recognize yourselves!" Charmaigne said excitedly.