NationStates Jolt Archive

Grammian shook his head.

"I don't have a car, but I can get one real quick." He held his pistol up for Nico to see clearly, "I find that guns make borrowing cars a much easier process."

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.

'Armani? Chanel?' Andreus was confused and slightly bewildered as the man measured him up for somthing that looked slightly like it was designed for a member of the mafia. He was also slightly amazed at meeting a man who could pronounce an exclamation mark. He smirked as Karasu was dyed up as a blonde.
'It suits you' He was then assualted by Charmaigne and her makeup box. He leant towards Karasu and muttered in her ear.
'But really, Andrew?'

"Alright. Let's worry about getting out of the building first. I don't think we should chance the lobby.."

He pressed the button for the first floor. Hopefully no one was looking for them yet and they could find a window or something.

'Armani? Chanel?' Andreus was confused and slightly bewildered as the man measured him up for somthing that looked slightly like it was designed for a member of the mafia. He was also slightly amazed at meeting a man who could pronounce an exclamation mark. He smirked as Karasu was dyed up as a blonde.
'It suits you' He was then assualted by Charmaigne and her makeup box. He leant towards Karasu and muttered in her ear.
'But really, Andrew?'

"Well, we can't use our real names, you know?" Karasu whispered.

Charmaigne then whispered to Karasu, "What's with the robot? I mean, why HIM?!"

"What are you implying? What's that supposed to mean?" Karasu whispered back angrily.

"Oh oh... nothing, nothing really." Charmaigne stammered.

"I know what you do for a living Charmaigne, but people don't all look alike." Karasu whispered to her. "In fact, I find Andrew the most handsome man I've ever met."

Charmaigne nearly fell over. "What?! He's like a robot!" she said quietly.

Karasu stood up and yelled angrily. "You judge what you don't even know! You're so shallow! My clothes and make up are done, so just get away from me! You're making me sick! Open your fucking mind, woman!"

Charmaigne backed away from Karasu.

Karasu got up and looked in the mirror. She sure didn't look like herself. Nothing like herself. With all the theater putty and junk on her face, they had literally given her a new face, which Ande' was so proud of, and he did a great job. And getting the people at Chanel to put bizarre pockets and slits in the seaming on the interior of the suit kind of freaked them out, but she needed to put the weapons somewhere, and she would have LOTS of them.

She looked over at Andreus. He looked very uncomfortable, but very handsome in the suit. Also, he had what people would consider a "normal" face now. I think Andreus was a bit stunned at that.

"Look in the mirror now Andrew!", Ande' exclaimed. "You're GAWRGEOUS! Oh I can't be-LIEVE the transformation!" And it really was a transformation.

"You look great, Andrew," Karasu told him, "but I liked the way you looked before better." She smiled at him.

"Thank you Ande', Charmaigne." Karasu said.

"Our pleasure and very nice meeting YOU Andrew!" Ande' exclaimed in his usual flamboyant way.

They packed up their things and left with Zane.

"We look weird." Karasu said and laughed. "Follow me."

They went to her weapons room and she armed herself as if going into combat... they might be. All manner of knives and guns. Charmaigne had the suit made large with some padding so Karasu looked a little heavy, but that was in order to hide the enormous quantity of weapons, ammo and other things that may be useful... even a grappling hook.

"So, Andreus, if you worked it out with Dekker, we can go. Did arrange things? If so, fill me in and I'll follow your lead."

Grammian nodded grimly and put checked the revolver was loaded. 6 rounds; hell in an extended fire-fight, but it was just the ticket for a quick skirmish.

"What the hell are you doing here, anyway? I thought you were trying to get away from these people." Inquired Grammian with a frown.

"I was keeping my enemies closer," he replied cryptically.

Really the drive to come here had been a bit of a mystery even to him. Maybe to find out more about himself. There was nothing left for him here, and he was sure of it now. Evidence was one thing, but so was staying alive.

The elevator passed the lobby without slowing and opened one floor up to a stark linoleum hallway. Nico stepped out carefully, eyeing the closed doors.

"What made you change your mind?"

"Oh, by the way, Andreus, sorry about the Andrew, but we can't use our real names. I can't go by Karina or Karasu, so I'll go as Camile. If you want to go as a Russian, you'll have to come up with the name!" Karasu laughed.

"So what do you think of the make-over? I know the face junk feels awful. I hate it. And thank GOD this blonde junk is mostly extensions. We look professional anyway." she remarked.

"And how about that Ande'? Do you believe he actually pronounces it An-DAY?! He's a good guy. Pretty entertaining. Charmaigne on the other hand is a bit of a snob, but she gets the job done." Karasu said.

"So Andreus, what will you use for a name, and what is the plan exactly?"

"Oh, by the way, Andreus, sorry about the Andrew, but we can't use our real names. I can't go by Karina or Karasu, so I'll go as Camile. If you want to go as a Russian, you'll have to come up with the name!" Karasu laughed.

"So what do you think of the make-over? I know the face junk feels awful. I hate it. And thank GOD this blonde junk is mostly extensions. We look professional anyway." she remarked.

"And how about that Ande'? Do you believe he actually pronounces it An-DAY?! He's a good guy. Pretty entertaining. Charmaigne on the other hand is a bit of a snob, but she gets the job done." Karasu said.

"So Andreus, what will you use for a name, and what is the plan exactly?"

'The plan? The plan is to look important enough to get into the lab without hassel' He scratched the cover up contact lense that hid his bionic iris irritably
'I do not know much about russia, but...Altinos Brokevitch? Well perhaps a better one will come up. Either way shall we go? Those two freinds of yours were very good, but this makeup' He scratched
'It is less than comfortable' He smiled

'The plan? The plan is to look important enough to get into the lab without hassel' He scratched the cover up contact lense that hid his bionic iris irritably
'I do not know much about russia, but...Altinos Brokevitch? Well perhaps a better one will come up. Either way shall we go? Those two freinds of yours were very good, but this makeup' He scratched
'It is less than comfortable' He smiled

"I hate the makeup too. I think you look much better without it." Karasu smiled.

"Let's get going then. I assume you know where Dekker is? Is it far? I'm ready to get in there. You also have the ability to start and stop a lot of electronics. That's going to really come in handy." She remarked.

"Then let's go, but how, cab, limo, walk, car?"

"I hate the makeup too. I think you look much better without it." Karasu smiled.

"Let's get going then. I assume you know where Dekker is? Is it far? I'm ready to get in there. You also have the ability to start and stop a lot of electronics. That's going to really come in handy." She remarked.

"Then let's go, but how, cab, limo, walk, car?"

'Well I don't know, you are a stunning blonde' He grinned ovbiously teasing her
'Well I am not sure of limo's or cars, but I would not expect the famous raven to take anywhere but the rooftops' He glanced up to the now dark network of roofs and warehouse covers. He offered a hand to Karasu smiling again

'Well I don't know, you are a stunning blonde' He grinned ovbiously teasing her
'Well I am not sure of limo's or cars, but I would not expect the famous raven to take anywhere but the rooftops' He glanced up to the now dark network of roofs and warehouse covers. He offered a hand to Karasu smiling again

"OK, the roofs it is... thanks... but no more blonde remarks!" Karasu laughed. "You lead the way."

"OK, the roofs it is... thanks... but no more blonde remarks!" Karasu laughed. "You lead the way."

He took a short run up and shot lightly upwards, accompanied with the short sound of pneumatics. He landed lightly on the rooftop and gestured for her to follow as he ran silently across the moonlit ceiling of the city

He took a short run up and shot lightly upwards, accompanied with the short sound of pneumatics. He landed lightly on the rooftop and gestured for her to follow as he ran silently across the moonlit ceiling of the city

"Do you know the layout of this place or anything about it? I don't even know where it is. I just want to get there. Although, I'm not sure what we're going to do when we get there." Karasu sighed.

"I suppose it will depend on what we find. From what you've told me, it sounds like hell." Karasu said sadly.

"Do you know the layout of this place or anything about it? I don't even know where it is. I just want to get there. Although, I'm not sure what we're going to do when we get there." Karasu sighed.

"I suppose it will depend on what we find. From what you've told me, it sounds like hell." Karasu said sadly.

'No...' Andreus looked on into the darkness steadily
'They may torture souls in hell, but they do not change who they are. This place puts hell to shame.' He could feel where the place was like a pain in his body
'I know where it is. I'm sure of that.' He said flatly

'No...' Andreus looked on into the darkness steadily
'They may torture souls in hell, but they do not change who they are. This place puts hell to shame.' He could feel where the place was like a pain in his body
'I know where it is. I'm sure of that.' He said flatly

Oh God, Karasu thought.

"Let's get there and do whatever has to be done, and Andreus, be careful."

Oh God, Karasu thought.

"Let's get there and do whatever has to be done, and Andreus, be careful."

When they reached the lab, Andreus walked infront with all the airs of a rich man. It was an 'I have a right to be here but noone else has a right to do anything' walk. But when he reached the desk he stopped and froze.
'Karasu, I don't think getting in will be as hard as we thought' He made the sign of the cross on his chest slowly and he muttered a prayer for the dead mans soul.

"Oh man... what have we walked into. We better move on, and by the way, continue with our pseudonyms. Call me Camile, we don't know who may be around."

Karasu looked around in all directions. "No receptionist."

"Oh man... what have we walked into. We better move on, and by the way, we should still continue with our pseudonyms. Call me Camile, we don't know who may be around."

Karasu looked around in all directions. "Which way should we go?"

OOC: What? Oh nononono, I wasn't even mildly annoyed, don't worry about it :p
I'm annoyed at Jolt eating my damn post though :headbang:

'There is little point. Can you not feel it? Death hangs over this place' He pulled off the uncomfortable suit and donned his looser cloak. He could move easier in it, and he got the feeling he would have to move very fast indeed quite soon.
'I am more worried about whoever did this still being here. The building still stands.' He glanced around carefully

"Yes I feel it and I smell it." Karasu said, she put her hand on her Sig and had her Uzi within easy reach.

"I have grenades too, actually," Karasu whispered sheepishly. "I know I seem over armed, but I've found you can't have too many weapons. We may need them here. Why don't you freeze the cameras. We don't need any record of ourselves being here."

Karasu looked around for the receptionist.

OOC: Guys, from here on out please be mindful of timing. It was early morning when Nico and Grammian got on the elevator. Grammian hasn't been in the building for more than about 15-20 minutes. Therefore, it's still early morning. If you want to play with things a bit to get your respective characters where they need to be, that's fine, but timing is important.

"I was keeping my enemies closer," he replied cryptically.

Really the drive to come here had been a bit of a mystery even to him. Maybe to find out more about himself. There was nothing left for him here, and he was sure of it now. Evidence was one thing, but so was staying alive.

The elevator passed the lobby without slowing and opened one floor up to a stark linoleum hallway. Nico stepped out carefully, eyeing the closed doors.

"What made you change your mind?"

Grammian sighed and shrugged.

"Revenge is fun and all, but it really sucks when you don't get to finish it. Been there, done that. This is me in my good samaritan mode, y'see." He stepped out of the lift beside Nico.

"Besides, the idea of these weirdos coming after me was enough to change my mind. Better to deal with the problem head-on."

OOC: Guys, from here on out please be mindful of timing. It was early morning when Nico and Grammian got on the elevator. Grammian hasn't been in the building for more than about 15-20 minutes. Therefore, it's still early morning. If you want to play with things a bit to get your respective characters where they need to be, that's fine, but timing is important.

OOC: Sorry, it was a guess. I suppose the sky has no sense of dramatics :D

OOC: stag come on MSN....please? ;) (its serafima,sparklemist,tres bonne here) im soo bored

"It reeks of death in here. Yes I feel it and I smell it. I suppose there is no point in these disguises." She ripped the rubber face off and covered her face with the black shinobi style cloth she usually wore. She removed the weapons and the padding and put the weapons on the weapons belt she had underneath the jacket, so they were hidden, she then pulled out her Sig, and had an Uzi within easy reach.

"I have grenades too, actually," Karasu said sheepishly. "I know I seem over armed, but I've found you can't have too many weapons. We may need them here. Why don't you freeze the cameras. We don't need any record of ourselves being here."

Karasu stood against the wall, looked at the elevator, and looked at Andreus... "Stairs for sure, after this floor, which one do you think we should check? Do you sense anything or any particular direction?"

Andreus thought for a moment
'I think we may not need to go anywhere. From what...from what I suppose, this is the only exit they would be prepared to use. I'm sure there are other hidden exits, but why bother using them when the guards are dead?' He closed his eyes for a moment and raised his hands so his palms faced around him. There was a wirring in his hands and all the lights on the camera went out. One even short circuited and sparked for a second.
'The camaeras are dealt with. But I hope you aren't using any electronics' He smiled. He walked over to the fountain in the centre of the entrance hall and washed the strange makeup of revealing his normal look. He also washed his hands reverentially.

OOC: i miss talking to u....how late at night exactly? the latest i have been on over the past few days is about 11

"So we better find the receptionist." Karasu said. "Andreus, check out all the security!" she whispered. "We're going to have to get rid of security eventually, somehow, find the geneticists, damn this isn't going to be easy"

OOC: i miss talking to u....how late at night exactly? the latest i have been on over the past few days is about 11

Guys, telegrams are for private conversations, not RP threads. Quit cluttering.

Karasu looked around. "Andreus, they must not smell the blood."

"Andreus, it's showtime." Karasu exclaimed. "So get into science mode."

"Follow me Andreus, I think I see the receptionist."

A woman was walking down the hall, and she looked like a secretary of some sort. "Miss? Miss?" Karasu said while walking up to her. "I see there is no one at the front desk. We are here on behalf of the Soviet government. I believe we are expected." She said in her best Russian accent. "I am Dr. Krovsky, and this is Dr. Anonovicz." Karasu thought quickly. "We were expected to meet with your researchers as scouts for our government and possible investors for research into genetic engineering for the re-growth of limbs."

"Oh yes, we did get your phone call this morning. You are expected. I'll take you to the lab to meet the first researcher you will speak with. We're very delighted you chose our facility as a possible investment. We have excellent geneticists and have done ground breaking research." She said proudly. "My name is Miss Schroeder, please follow me."

As she turned, Karasu looked at Andreus and shrugged and they followed.

I can't believe she can't smell all the blood. Karasu thought.

Karasu looked around. "Andreus, there are people alive walking around... they must not smell the blood."

"Andreus, we have to fake it now. There will be security all over the place! You have to get your suit back on!" Karasu exclaimed. "We're going to have to go with our original plan. So get into science mode."

Karasu regretted taking the putty off her face. Oh well, no one knew her face except for Grammian. I hope he's not here.

"Follow me Andreus."

A woman was walking down the hall, and she looked like a secretary of some sort. "Miss? Miss?" Karasu said while walking up to her. "I see there is no one at the front desk. We are here on behalf of the Soviet government. I believe we are expected." She said in her best Russian accent. "I am Dr. Krovsky, and this is Dr. Anovicz." Karasu thought quickly. "We were expected to meet with your researchers as scouts for the government and possible investors for research into genetic engineering to possibly re-grow limbs."

"Oh yes, we did get your phone call this morning. You are expected. I'll take you to the lab to meet the first researcher you will speak with. We're very delighted you chose our facility as a possible investment. We have excellent geneticists and have done ground breaking research." She said proudly. "My name is Miss Schroeder, please follow me."

As she turned, Karasu looked at Andreus and shrugged and they followed.

I can't believe she can't smell all the blood. Karasu thought.

OOC: Official apology :p : Woops, no dead people in lobby. I didn't read close enough. But in an artists form, this can be smoothed over!

IC:

'Karasu' Andreus muttered under his breath
'Do you notice, over there, the light falls strangly near that vase' he looked again but the thing he thought he saw was gone
'Oh...never mind' Andreus was confused, but just then a blow came from nowhere as somthing barelled into his chest. He got a glimse of somthing darting off and a flash of realisation came to him.
'Well, perhaps we now know what killed these people' He pulled off his suit ignoring the guide. He scanned the room warily with bionic and biological eye looking out for the same disturbance
'Miss Schroeder, I suggest you run, and choose a different career.' He didn't look around as the woman fled, the creature did not follow, so he assumed it was a creature of instinct. Selecting prey and then hunting it till the end.
'This creature is an experiment, he must have been released for some purpous. Or...he escaped!' He turned to Karasu quickly
'Nico is here, he must have come back to deal with the experiments!' He was hit by another blow by the creature and he reeled with a gash across the metal of his faceplate
'Your reflexes are better than mine, see if you can pin it'

OOC: Official apology :p : Woops, no dead people in lobby. I didn't read close enough. But in an artists form, this can be smoothed over!

IC:

'Karasu' Andreus muttered under his breath
'Do you notice, over there, the light falls strangly near that vase' he looked again but the thing he thought he saw was gone
'Oh...never mind' Andreus was confused, but just then a blow came from nowhere as somthing barelled into his chest. He got a glimse of somthing darting off and a flash of realisation came to him.
'Well, perhaps we now know what killed these people' He pulled off his suit ignoring the guide. He scanned the room warily with bionic and biological eye looking out for the same disturbance
'Miss Schroeder, I suggest you run, and choose a different career.' He didn't look around as the woman fled, the creature did not follow, so he assumed it was a creature of instinct. Selecting prey and then hunting it till the end.
'This creature is an experiment, he must have been released for some purpous. Or...he escaped!' He turned to Karasu quickly
'Nico is here, he must have come back to deal with the experiments!' He was hit by another blow by the creature and he reeled with a gash across the metal of his faceplate
'Your reflexes are better than mine, see if you can pin it'

Karasu saw the flash pass her and she jumped up the wall and over and shot. She shot it dead.

"Nico must have missed one." Karasu said, looking at the mutant. "Well, now security is going to be all over the place. I suggest we continue our ruse and you can say this experiment attacked you and someone who ran out the door shot it. We can't just avoid all the security!" Karasu was trying to reason with Andreus.

"First of all, let's take the stairs to another floor. We don't need to be here when someone finds this thing." Karasu ran to the stairwell and started running up. Some security guards stopped them in the stairwell.

Karasu talked fast... "Miss Schroeder was taking us to meet our appointment and this mutant attacked Mr. Anonovicz! Someone shot it and ran out the door!" She talked excitedly and the two security officers went running down to where the mutant lie dead.

"Whoa, that was close. Let's get to the next floor and find the top geneticist. Perhaps we need a hostage?"

Karasu thought for a moment. "What are we going to do in this place after we find Nico? What about the people who created these abominations? I don't recommend we blow up the whole building? And remember, Nico will try to kill us. He doesn't trust us."

Karasu saw the flash pass her and she jumped up the wall and over and shot. She shot it dead.

"Nico must have missed one." Karasu said, looking at the mutant. "Well, now security is going to be all over the place. I suggest we continue our ruse and you can say this experiment attacked you and someone who ran out the door shot it. We can't just avoid all the security!" Karasu was trying to reason with Andreus.

"First of all, let's take the stairs to another floor. We don't need to be here when someone finds this thing." Karasu ran to the stairwell and started running up. Some security guards stopped them in the stairwell.

Karasu talked fast... "Miss Schroeder was taking us to meet our appointment and this mutant attacked Mr. Anonovicz! Someone shot it and ran out the door!" She talked excitedly and the two security officers went running down to where the mutant lie dead.

"Whoa, that was close. Let's get to the next floor and find the top geneticist. Perhaps we need a hostage?"

Karasu thought for a moment. "What are we going to do in this place after we find Nico? What about the people who created these abominations? I don't recommend we blow up the whole building? And remember, Nico will try to kill us. He doesn't trust us."

Andreus fingered the gashes in his faceplate thoughtfully, wondering about the mutant who had done it
'We cannot blow up the building. nothing would please me more than to see it burn' He pulled himself together
'But believe it or not, somwhere in this building is an innocent man or woman. If you looked hard enough I'm sure you could find one. Nico has no reason to trust us and that is what I fear, what have we to show for our intensions? Would he want our help? Would he need it?' Andreus sighed
'I agree though, we must see the head geneticist'

Andreus fingered the gashes in his faceplate thoughtfully, wondering about the mutant who had done it
'We cannot blow up the building. nothing would please me more than to see it burn' He pulled himself together
'But believe it or not, somwhere in this building is an innocent man or woman. If you looked hard enough I'm sure you could find one. Nico has no reason to trust us and that is what I fear, what have we to show for our intensions? Would he want our help? Would he need it?' Andreus sighed
'I agree though, we must see the head geneticist'

"What do we do when we find him or her? There is so much security. I was thinking of using them as hostages to get Nico out, but it's not likely he'll come with us. Should we kill the researchers and geneticists? I'm leaning in that direction. They have to be stopped. And this would also show Nico that we're on his side."

"What do we do when we find him or her? There is so much security. I was thinking of using them as hostages to get Nico out, but it's not likely he'll come with us. Should we kill the researchers and geneticists? I'm leaning in that direction. They have to be stopped. And this would also show Nico that we're on his side."

'Yes...it would....' He raised his head and turned to Karasu
'Deal with the scientists. I will go and take care of the head geneticist. I need to know things from him, if I see Nico on the way I will- talk with him. Security won't bother me, if any more of those things are on the loose they have worse things to worry about. If not not' He held up the hated suit
'The backup plan' He smiled weakly

'Yes...it would....' He raised his head and turned to Karasu
'Deal with the scientists. I will go and take care of the head geneticist. I need to know things from him, if I see Nico on the way I will- talk with him. Security won't bother me, if any more of those things are on the loose they have worse things to worry about. If not not' He held up the hated suit
'The backup plan' He smiled weakly

"OK, good luck." Karasu said quietly.

Karasu slipped into the ladies room and put the silencer on her gun. She was going to stop these sick bastards for good. She stepped out of the restroom and immediately saw a man in a lab coat walking toward her.

"Excuse me sir. I am Dr. Krovsky, one of the two sent from the Soviet government..." He cut her off before she could finish.

"Oh yes, welcome welcome! We've been looking forward to meeting the two of you. I am Dr. Haskins, one of the geneticists and researchers." He shook her hand.

"I am sorry. I was separated from Dr. Anonovicz when that escaped experiment attacked him." She said.

"He was attacked? Is he OK?" The Dr. was visibly upset.

"Yes, he is fine. Someone shot the experiment and left out the front door. We just got separated in the confusion. Security was on their way down there as I came up."

"Well then, may I show you our pride and joy? The experiments?" Dr. Haskins asked.

"Please do. I'm looking forward to it." They walked down the stairwell to the underground floor. Both Karasu and the Dr. gasped. There were dead mutants all over.

As the Dr. stepped ahead of Karasu, she pulled out her gun and shot him in the back of the head. She then took his ID. She looked around at what was done to these people. Karasu was horrified.

She couldn't stand it anymore and she ran upstairs hoping to find Andreus.

Grammian sighed and shrugged.

"Revenge is fun and all, but it really sucks when you don't get to finish it. Been there, done that. This is me in my good samaritan mode, y'see." He stepped out of the lift beside Nico.

"Besides, the idea of these weirdos coming after me was enough to change my mind. Better to deal with the problem head-on."
Nicola grunted in response and started down the hallway. He could hear running in the stairwell. It was time they got out of here.

"I tried to warn you. They'll stop at nothing. Have they come after you yet, or is this just being proactive?"

He tried each of the doors until they found one unlocked. Pulling Grammian inside, he shoved a chair up under the handle to help hold back whomever might be coming. They were in a smallish room the facility used for psychoanalytical conditioning. In the distance, the low thrum of a helicopter was building.

"I tried to warn you. They'll stop at nothing. Have they come after you yet, or is this just being proactive?"
Andreus picked up voices from further up the stairs, he sprinted up the steps taking two at a time and landed heavily on the landing, working on the basis that if the owners were talking like that then they were running from somthing. He walked warily along the corridor glancing at each door, searching for one with the owners of the voices behind. He heard some grinding from behind a door and tried the doorhandle.
Locked He carefully unrolled a small leather pouch of tiny metal objects before realising there was in fact no keyhole. He sighed and landed a punch squarely on the handle splintering the frame, and finishing the rest of the job with a kick from his artificial leg.

Someone tried the handle just as he shoved the chair up under it. Looking around quickly, he surmized that there was in fact nothing else he could use to hold the door. Swearing to himself, he jumped behind a big desk near a window and leveled his pistol at the door, signaling Grammian to take cover as well.

Son of a bitch, I'm getting tired of this hunt.

Someone tried the handle just as he shoved the chair up under it. Looking around quickly, he surmized that there was in fact nothing else he could use to hold the door. Swearing to himself, he jumped behind a big desk near a window and leveled his pistol at the door, signaling Grammian to take cover as well.

Son of a bitch, I'm getting tired of this hunt.

He froze like a deer in the headlights when he spotted the two metallic barrells leveled at him. That is until he spotted one of the faces behind one of them
'Nico' He lowered his foor and let his hands hang by his sides
'It seems I am forever looking for you, and finding you in the most inopportune moments.' His gaze turned back to the gun
'Do you think you need that firarm?'

"We need the firearms, arsehole. Get down on your knees and put your hands behind your head." Commanded Grammian, keeping his gun aimed squarely at Andreus' head.

"You tell me."

Angrily, he drew back the hammer, for effect if nothing else.

'You will not need the firearm. But...' He straightened up
'I kneel before no man but god himself.' He spread his arms to indicate no weapon
'I am not here to hunt you, stop you, take you in or any such thing. Simply to find out some things. You can find out what they are, or of course shoot now. But I ask you here and now, what would you gain?'

"What would I gain? I'd have you off my back for starters. Now I believe your man requested you to kneel. Don't be disrespectful."

"What would I gain? I'd have you off my back for starters. Now I believe your man requested you to kneel. Don't be disrespectful."

Andreus paused as a battle raged inside him. After a moment he knelt on one knee with his back stubbornly bolt upright
'In that man I have as yet seen nothing to respect. Now, are you willing to answer my questions? And yes, I am aware of my position to ask them' He kept his gaze level

"Who the hell are you? I've never met you before in my life, you holier-than-thou jerk!" Said Grammian, resisting his natural urge to just shoot the bastard and be done with it. One bullet would save himself and Nico from a long, drawn out argument.

"Your timing needs a little work. But what's so important that you would seek me out to ask?"

He edged out from behind the desk, glancing over his shoulder breifly as the helicopter continued to get closer. At Grammian's rant, he smiled amusedly.

"Who the hell are you? I've never met you before in my life, you holier-than-thou jerk!" Said Grammian, resisting his natural urge to just shoot the bastard and be done with it. One bullet would save himself and Nico from a long, drawn out argument.

'And why should you have? My name is Andreus' He nodded to the man breifly
'And I used to be you'

Andreus paused as a battle raged inside him. After a moment he knelt on one knee with his back stubbornly bolt upright
'In that man I have as yet seen nothing to respect. Now, are you willing to answer my questions? And yes, I am aware of my position to ask them' He kept his gaze level

Karasu hit the landing and realized what was happening in the room down the hall. What do I do? Andreus is trapped in there. I've got to get Nico's trust if I can.

A man in a lab coat came walking down toward Karasu, she spoke quietly in her accent, asking him who he was and using her previous story. "Sir, did you work on the Nico experiment?"

"Yes ma'am I did. Unfortunately, that didn't work out so well." He replied.

"So it didn't," she said angrily.

Karasu put grabbed him by the back and shoved the Uzi up to his head. "You walk ahead of me. I will tell you where to go."

The stunned man did as he was told.

Karasu turned the corner of the room containing Nico, Grammian, and Andreus. She still had her disguise on.

"Nicola... Did this man experiment on you?" she asked him as she held the Uzi to his head.

"Your timing needs a little work. But what's so important that you would seek me out to ask?"

He edged out from behind the desk, glancing over his shoulder breifly as the helicopter continued to get closer.

'I agree this place is not perfect, perhaps we could talk better somewhere safer but alot of the questions I think concern this place. What made you, what made those things, who killed them and do they want to kill you. They will do for a start'

"Never mind. I know the answer." Karasu pulled out a 9 mm with her other hand and shot the man dead.

"And what is going on here?"

Grammian looked at the newest arrival, Karasu.

"Hell, not you as well!" He groaned, "Is this a reunion or something?"

Grammian looked at the newest arrival, Karasu.

"Hell, not you as well!" He groaned, "Is this a reunion or something?"

"Nico, I would bet you aren't aware that Mr. Grammian here now works for Artemis?" Karasu said while staring down Grammian. "You double crossing bastard. A few bucks and you don't give a shit about turning Nico over to Artemis!"

She was pissed. "Grammian, drop your gun. NOW." She pointed the Uzi at him. "Nico, keep yours, and please stand up Andreus."

"You appreciate you aren't making a very good impression here, Ms. Karasu or whatever the hell you call yourself," Growled Grammian, tightening his grip on his revolver. "Do you have any proof of your wild allegations? No? Didn't think so.

"Mr. Kruschev, at the moment I'd say that this woman is not very trustworthy."

'I agree this place is not perfect, perhaps we could talk better somewhere safer but alot of the questions I think concern this place. What made you, what made those things, who killed them and do they want to kill you. They will do for a start'
"I killed them. They won't kill me unless they can't get me back."

He narrowed his eyes at the questions, growling softly as Karina entered the room as well. He bared his fangs slightly in irritation, and shifted his aim to her.

"I have no reason to believe you. Leave the room and we can pretend none of this ever happened."

"I killed them. They won't kill me unless they can't get me back."

He narrowed his eyes at the questions, growling softly as Karina entered the room as well. He bared his fangs slightly in irritation, and shifted his aim to her.

"I have no reason to believe you. Leave the room and we can pretend none of this ever happened."

'But can you? Look just beside you Nico, can you trust this man? I'm not saying you should trust me although thats the impression I'm trying to make, but don't follow blind faith. Thats my job. Thanks to karasu the doubt has been sown hasn't it.'

'But can you? Look just beside you Nico, can you trust this man? I'm not saying you should trust me although thats the impression I'm trying to make, but don't follow blind faith. Thats my job. Thanks to karasu the doubt has been sown hasn't it.'

She overheard this last remark while trying to get into the next room. I really did fuck it up.

"I killed them. They won't kill me unless they can't get me back."

He narrowed his eyes at the questions, growling softly as Karina entered the room as well. He bared his fangs slightly in irritation, and shifted his aim to her.

"I have no reason to believe you. Leave the room and we can pretend none of this ever happened."

"Fine, but I'm taking out every scientist and researcher I find as I go. Go ahead and let Grammian take you back to Artemis." Karasu looked at Andreus with apologies in her eyes. She felt if she stayed she would compromise his life.

As she left the room, she remembered, she was supposed to keep Nico alive. So this will be the first job she screwed up. She sighed. Two men in uniforms came running down the hall, Karasu shot them with her Uzi. She then went into the nearest room to see what she could do about the helecopters.

(OOC: Psst, that doubt comment was about the trustworthiness of Grammian, not Andreus, Karasu didn't do anything wrong )

"What the hell will killing them do? The only doubt I see casting is on yourselves."

A sudden light flooded the room, accompanied by the noise of an MH-60L Blackhawk. A full contingent of Diamonds elite forces descended on the facility, guided by the bird. At the end of the hallway, glass shattered with a flash bang meant to temporarily disable anyone within range.

Nico sheilded his face from the floodlight, seeking out the shadows on the other side of the desk.

OOC: Uh, the military would have detained everyone for questioning..

"What the hell will killing them do? The only doubt I see casting is on yourselves."

A sudden light flooded the room, accompanied by the noise of an MH-60L Blackhawk. A full contingent of Diamonds elite forces descended on the facility, guided by the bird. At the end of the hallway, glass shattered with a flash bang meant to temporarily disable anyone within range.

Nico sheilded his face from the floodlight, seeking out the shadows on the other side of the desk.

Andreus's implant protected him from the light, and thinking fast, not to mention swallowing his doubts, he threw both men over his shoulder as he leapt forwards and threw himself out the window. He landed heavily on a roof under the window and the shock scrambled his vision for a moment. He dropped the two and shook his head tryong to get his circuits realigned
'Run! Go to the sewers!'

OOC: Hype, when I said they would detain everyone, you're character is included in that.

IC:
Nico was on the roof before he knew what had happened. His ribs were sore from the man's shoulders, but he managed to drag himself to a standing position. The blackhawk followed them with the light.

"Freeze!"

A man in the rear-gunners position leveled an M4 at the group, while a fire team approached them from the ground.

Karasu was still in the next room baracaded under a desk. She hoped to God that Ace or Vixont would have given orders to let her go.

Karasu quickly called Zane and informed him of the situation.

Zane told her he would get in touch with Ace at once and get back to her.

If the public finds out the government hired an assassin... But these guys are special forces, they should be privy to such things... I hope...

Grammian held an arm in front of his eyes to shield them from the light. The helicopter blades kicked up enough force to make his jacket flap around crazily. He stood on the roof, next to Nico, trying to figure out what was going on.

The heavily armored 4-man team crept closer, weapons trained on the three men while their counterparts secured the main facility.

"Hands up!" the squad leader managed to scream over the roar of the chopper. "We're here for Kruschev. Identify yourselves!"

Nico raised his hands slowly, waiting for an opportunity to make a move. Somehow, staring at all the semi-automatic weapons convinced him to play this one safe.

Karasu waited nervously listening to what was going on outside. It would only be a matter of time before the forces got to her. She decided to dump her guns and all her weapons in a back closet.

The phone rang.

"Talk to me... FAST!" Karasu said, nervously, to Zane.

"Ace's name is Richard Schuh. He's put in a call to Captain Jameson who is in charge of this mission. You are to turn yourself in and tell them that you are working for Richard Schuh under the direct orders of Syphus Vixont, and that you are to be brought to their offices. Captain Jameson has been informed of this. You tell them your name is Karina Jones." Zane told her.

"Thanks Zane," she replied with a relieved sigh.

Just then two Diamond team members barged in the door with their guns trained on her and told her to put her hands on her head.

"I was told to tell you that I am to be taken to Captain Jameson. I work for Richard Schuh under the direction of Syphus Vixont. My name is Karina Jones. He should have recently been informed of this." Karasu told them.

One man stayed with his gun trained on her while the other went to look for Captain Jameson.

Karasu smiled at the man with the gun pointed at her. He did not smile back.

Grammian raised his hands above his head, just like the men with large guns told him to. The rule of thumb was, generally, obey the people with bigger guns than you. It meant less bulletholes to be stitched up.

"Grammian, Private Investigator." He shouted, over the noise of the helicopters.

He raised his hands, carefully making sure that his face was shadowed by his cloak hood, he didn't want anyone seeing too much of him. He also raised his hands cautiosly, but there was no way to escape them seeing his metallic hands
'Andreus......' He seached his mind for a last name that never came forward, and in the end settled for a name that had had the most importance in his life
'Mkutchin'

Karasu waited nervously for Captain Jameson.

"Sir, I am unarmed." Karasu stated.

The man still did not lower his gun.

"Romeo 1 to command, 2 identified. 3 in custody."

The squad leader clipped his radio to a black tac. vest, resting the device high on his shoulder. Motioning with his hand, he signaled for the three to come down from the roof.

"I want to know what you're doing here."

Nico jumped down quietly, landing with what seemed too little effort. One of the units stepped up to cover him. Though he stubbornly refused to talk.

"Who sent you." Nicola barked the question yet in a strangely soft way.

The Diamond covering him simply stared through his visor, expressionless. When Nico advanced on him to repeat his question, the soldier lashed out with the butt of his weapon. Nico blocked the hit with crossed forearms, and twisted his wrists to get ahold of the stock. Throwing the weapon to the side, he lunged at the man with fangs bared. The others swung their muzzles around to fire, but the leader signaled them to stand fast. Quickly switching the fire setting to single rounds, he squeezed off a warning shot, grazing Nico across the cheek. Nico stopped in his tracks and simply glared at the soldier.

"I'm only gonna ask this one more time. What are the three of you doing here?"

OOC: Hype, I gotta run. If I get a chance, I'll post a response to you real quick, but otherwise look for it in a few hours.

"Romeo 1 to command, 2 identified. 3 in custody."

The squad leader clipped his radio to a black tac. vest, resting the device high on his shoulder. Motioning with his hand, he signaled for the three to come down from the roof.

"I want to know what you're doing here."

Nico jumped down quietly, landing with what seemed too little effort. One of the units stepped up to cover him. Though he stubbornly refused to talk.

"Who sent you." Nicola barked the question yet in a strangely soft way.

The Diamond covering him simply stared through his visor, expressionless. When Nico advanced on him to repeat his question, the soldier lashed out with the butt of his weapon. Nico blocked the hit with crossed forearms, and twisted his wrists to get ahold of the stock. Throwing the weapon to the side, he lunged at the man with fangs bared. The others swung their muzzles around to fire, but the leader signaled them to stand fast. Quickly switching the fire setting to single rounds, he squeezed off a warning shot, grazing Nico across the cheek. Nico stopped in his tracks and simply glared at the soldier.

"I'm only gonna ask this one more time. What are the three of you doing here?"

'Captain' Andreus spoke to the leader after watching Nico
'Please, I beg of you, for your own sakes. Run now and don't look back. I promise to you now, you do not know what you see when you look at this man' He gestured to Nico

OOC: Its short, its unimaginative, but its late. So I'm off, since I have to be up early tommorrow.

While Karasu waited for Captain Jameson, she wondered what Andreus' fate was...

'Captain' Andreus spoke to the leader after watching Nico
'Please, I beg of you, for your own sakes. Run now and don't look back. I promise to you now, you do not know what you see when you look at this man' He gestured to Nico
The soldier laughed gruffly, turning his gaze to Andreus.

"Are you seriously asking me to run? You're not from around here, are ya?" His tone lost all traces of sarcasm and took on a serious edge. "What I see is a monster. And one I have orders to detain by any means necessary." His entire demeanor hardened.

The radio on his shoulder squawked with a tinny voice. The captain answered without letting Nico out of his sight.

-Sir, we have a situation. We have a Karina Jones here. Says she works indirectly for Syphis.-
"Bring her down. Load her up in transport 1. And don't be friendly about it."
-Clear. Out.-

"Now, if someone would kindly tell me what you're doing here, we can get this over with," he grunted, returning his attention to the present situation once more. "I'm getting really tired of asking."

The soldier laughed gruffly, turning his gaze to Andreus.

"Are you seriously asking me to run? You're not from around here, are ya?" His tone lost all traces of sarcasm and took on a serious edge. "What I see is a monster. And one I have orders to detain by any means necessary." His entire demeanor hardened.

The radio on his shoulder squawked with a tinny voice. The captain answered without letting Nico out of his sight.

-Sir, we have a situation. We have a Karina Jones here. Says she works indirectly for Syphis.-
"Bring her down. Load her up in transport 1. And don't be friendly about it."
-Clear. Out.-

"Now, if someone would kindly tell me what you're doing here, we can get this over with," he grunted, returning his attention to the present situation once more. "I'm getting really tired of asking."

The first man came back and joined the second one, his gun still trained on Karasu.

"OK, Karina, hands on your head." The second man said. She did as she was told, and was promptly handcuffed.

"Hey! You don't have to be so rough, you know!" Karasu whined. "Where are you taking me?"

Neither of them answered, but dragged her down and shoved her into a transport.

"Enough of the manhandling! For God's sake!" Karasu exclaimed.

"Where are you taking me? Can I talk to..." one of the soldiers yelled at her to shut up.

"Fine." Rude sons of bitches. "I just want to know where you're taking me."

As usual, they didn't answer.

Grammian watched everything unfold like a giant paper map (OOC: Dear god, that's one of the worst similes I've done in a while. Need more caffeine). His mind raced, considering every conceivable option to him and every possible outcome. One million dollars were at stake; too much to afford stupid mistakes.

Jameson growled under his breath. No one was talking. He would have much rather followed usual procedures and just killed them all here and now. But Lord Vixont had been very clear in his instructions, and with what they had discussed recently, it was best to stay on the man's good side.

"Davis. Young. Take Andreus there to transport 1."

The two sprung into action, ushering him away. From the looks of things, they would have rather killed him as well.

"You two," he began, waving the tip of his weapon to indicate Grammian and Nico, "come with us."

The soldier in front of Nico grabbed him roughly by the collar of his jacket and pulled him forward. The captain himself covered Grammian for the escort to transport 2. The big truck was parked near the main enterance, on the complete opposite side of the compound from the first transport. Another Diamond opened the back door to allow the 4 men enterance. Nico growled at his handler, but decided not to try it again just yet. The door was closed behind them once all had entered. The interior was dimly lit by a single reading light in the middle of the ceiling, but it was more than enough to illuminate the man seated comfortably at the far end, casually resting against the outer wall of the drive segment.

"Well, well, if it isn't my prodigal son.." Luke leaned forward with a little grin, hands neatly folded over his lap.

One of the soldiers came up behind them again. "Sit."

Jameson growled under his breath. No one was talking. He would have much rather followed usual procedures and just killed them all here and now. But Lord Vixont had been very clear in his instructions, and with what they had discussed recently, it was best to stay on the man's good side.

"Davis. Young. Take Andreus there to transport 1."

The two sprung into action, ushering him away. From the looks of things, they would have rather killed him as well.

"You two," he began, waving the tip of his weapon to indicate Grammian and Nico, "come with us."

The soldier in front of Nico grabbed him roughly by the collar of his jacket and pulled him forward. The captain himself covered Grammian for the escort to transport 2. The big truck was parked near the main enterance, on the complete opposite side of the compound from the first transport. Another Diamond opened the back door to allow the 4 men enterance. Nico growled at his handler, but decided not to try it again just yet. The door was closed behind them once all had entered. The interior was dimly lit by a single reading light in the middle of the ceiling, but it was more than enough to illuminate the man seated comfortably at the far end, casually resting against the outer wall of the drive segment.

"Well, well, if it isn't my prodigal son.." Luke leaned forward with a little grin, hands neatly folded over his lap.

One of the soldiers came up behind them again. "Sit."

"Andreus! You're OK. Thank God." She sighed with relief.

"Uh, you soldiers... This man, Andreus, also helps me out with my work with Richard Schuh, through Vixont. I would like to see Richard Schuh and Vixont as soon as possible."

Karasu was glad she still had her disguise on. This way no one had seen her real face yet.

"Andreus... I was so worried about you." Karasu whispered, her eyes watering. She then whispered to him, "I think they're working with Artemis." She looked at him ruefully.

"Andreus! You're OK. Thank God." She sighed with relief.

"Uh, you soldiers... This man, Andreus, also helps me out with my work with Richard Schuh, through Vixont. I would like to see Richard Schuh and Vixont as soon as possible."

Karasu was glad she still had her disguise on. This way no one had seen her real face yet.

"Andreus... I was so worried about you." Karasu whispered, her eyes watering. She then whispered to him, "I think they're working with Artemis." She looked at him ruefully.
"You'll see them soon enough. But right now, we need to know what you're doing here. This is a government facility, and I've heard some interesting things about what you're doing here, Karina."

"You'll see them soon enough. But right now, we need to know what you're doing here. This is a government facility, and I've heard some interesting things about what you're doing here, Karina."

"That is something I may only discuss with Schuh or Vixont, I'm afraid." Karasu stated. "I know most of this is classified, so I really can't say anything to you about it without running it past Schuh or Vixont. After all, I am working for them. I'm sure if they wanted you to know what I was doing here, they would have told you by now." Karasu told them calmly. "Andreus here, has been helping me with my work. That is why he is here." Karasu told the two men.

"You've heard interesting things about what I'm doing here you say? Well, rumors get started and blown out of proportion. I'm surprised you've heard of me at all, actually." And she was surprised. So much for covert... government idiots. She sighed.

"I can say I've completed my task. Other than that, I don't want to say anything until I run it past the two of them. I'm sure you'll be informed if it concerns you."

Grammian eyed Nico carefully, then took a seat. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at Luke, who sat opposite him.

"I take it this counts as a job well done?" He asked, moving his head towards Nico.

"If it concerns me... Well my dear, national security is my concern. And several of the scientists seem to think you and your friend there are foreign officials looking to start an illicit trade negotiation. So until I get some answers, you're not talking to anyone. Do I make myself clear?"

The big man had removed his visor and gear to reveal a closely shaved head and a stony demeanor. He stood with his arms crossed, patienly awaiting her response.

----

Nico narrowed his eyes at Luke with Grammian's comment. A job well done.. the final result of years of work. Yet a result which remained incomplete. He refused to sit and merely stood in place, burning a hole through Luke with his eyes.

"Yes, a job well done." Luke smiled again and tossed an envelope to the aging investigator. "I'm a man of my word, Mr. Grammian, as are you. Without you, he may have escaped again."

"What?" Nico turned on Grammian in a rage, unwilling to believe what he was hearing. The two soldiers raised their weapons at his motion but held their fire.

Grammian sighed and slid the envelope into his jacket. He turned and gave Nico an apologetic look.

"Kid, look at me. I'm 60 years old, far too old for this game. The only thing that's stopped me getting out of it is debts. People I used to work for have large numbers with my name pencilled next to them. This money," He held up the envelope, "Will pay for my retirement. Got a Cuban and everything."

He produced a brown cigar from his jacket.

"I promised myself I wouldn't smoke this beauty until it was over."

"You double-crossing bastard..."

Betrayal... always betrayal... Betrayal had begun this whole ordeal, and now it had brought him full-circle. Nicola lunged at Grammian with an angry snarl, fangs bared in a horrific display of some of his more animalistic instincts. Without seeming to move, Luke pulled a handgun out of a shoulder holster and fired at Nico. The shot caught him in the side and Nico looked down in surprize at the new tuft of red and yellow feathers protruding from the entry site.

"Tranquilizer," Luke explained calmly to Grammian. "We still need him."

The strong dose kicked in almost instantly. Nico started at Grammian again, but in more of a stagger than a predatory pounce and finally fell forward harmlessly.

Grammian sighed and shook his head.

"Hell of a way to end everything, isn't it? Poor bastard, never knew what he was in for." He shrugged and turned to Luke. "I'm leaving now."

"Just a moment, Grammian."

He sat forward and the grin faded from his visage. Calmly, he eyed the pistol in his hand for a moment, then put it away. The soldeirs stood fast in the doorway, weapons held loosely in their hands.

"You know an awful lot about my organization. Much more I'm sure than you have let on or had reason to discuss with me."

'And what evidence of this do you hold captain?' Said Andreus, deciding to play the political bastard
'Rumours and hearsay? Arrested on suspicion of is such a loose charge, it rarely stands up for too long.'

"If it concerns me... Well my dear, national security is my concern. And several of the scientists seem to think you and your friend there are foreign officials looking to start an illicit trade negotiation. So until I get some answers, you're not talking to anyone. Do I make myself clear?"

The big man had removed his visor and gear to reveal a closely shaved head and a stony demeanor. He stood with his arms crossed, patienly awaiting her response.

----



"As I said, Vixont or Schuh would have told you everything if it DID concern you. We have no interest in trade negotiations. That was an excuse for myself to do my job, with the help of Andreus, of course." Karasu said blatantly.

'And what evidence of this do you hold captain?' Said Andreus, deciding to play the political bastard
'Rumours and hearsay? Arrested on suspicion of is such a loose charge, it rarely stands up for too long.'
"Testimony from the doctors you both spoke to. You have been identified as Doctors Krovsky and Anonovicz," he listed, glancing to a small notepad and scribbled notes. "Interested in genetic engineering..."

Flipping the small book shut, he straightened and regarded them both coldly once more.

"We both know this facility is renown in international circuits for selling under the table. Don't play coy with me." He broke into somewhat of a grin then and continued. "But I don't need evidence. If that's what I tell my superiors, that's what they'll believe and there's not a damn thing you can do. So please... work with me so we can get you both out of here. I'd hate to be forced into defending myself against violent detainees..."

"As I said, Vixont or Schuh would have told you everything if it DID concern you. We have no interest in trade negotiations. That was an excuse for myself to do my job, with the help of Andreus, of course." Karasu said blatantly.
"And I assume you can prove this, of course?"

He shifted his weight to a less threatening posture.

"Testimony from the doctors you both spoke to. You have been identified as Doctors Krovsky and Anonovicz," he listed, glancing to a small notepad and scribbled notes. "Interested in genetic engineering..."

Flipping the small book shut, he straightened and regarded them both coldly once more.

"We both know this facility is renown in international circuits for selling under the table. Don't play coy with me." He broke into somewhat of a grin then and continued. "But I don't need evidence. If that's what I tell my superiors, that's what they'll believe and there's not a damn thing you can do. So please... work with me so we can get you both out of here. I'd hate to be forced into defending myself against violent detainees..."

"Vixont and Schuh won't believe you, because they KNOW why we're here. I'd take that into consideration." Karasu said, getting irritated with his macho attitude.

"And I assume you can prove this, of course?"

He shifted his weight to a less threatening posture.

"Let's have a conference with Vixont and Schuh, shall we? You'll get whatever answers they want to let you have." added Karasu.

"Testimony from the doctors you both spoke to. You have been identified as Doctors Krovsky and Anonovicz," he listed, glancing to a small notepad and scribbled notes. "Interested in genetic engineering..."

Flipping the small book shut, he straightened and regarded them both coldly once more.

"We both know this facility is renown in international circuits for selling under the table. Don't play coy with me." He broke into somewhat of a grin then and continued. "But I don't need evidence. If that's what I tell my superiors, that's what they'll believe and there's not a damn thing you can do. So please... work with me so we can get you both out of here. I'd hate to be forced into defending myself against violent detainees..."

Andreus alsmost felt sorry for the man, feeling so smug about catching people who did not in fact exist.
'Is that a suggestion or a wish captain?'

"I want you to understand one thing. Lord Syphis does not like loose ends. And you, right now, are a loose end. Now. All I asked is if you can prove it. I didn't ask you to convince me. A simple yes or no."

A voice crackled in his earpiece, but the voice on the other end spoke in the Gaeltach native tongue. He seemed to take note of it before watching the two once more.

Andreus alsmost felt sorry for the man, feeling so smug about catching people who did not in fact exist.
'Is that a suggestion or a wish captain?'

"Take us to them, and you can listen in if they would like you to hear. Surely you have no fear of the head of the Department of Defense, now do you?" Karasu asked. "We're wasting time here. Just bring us to them."

"I want you to understand one thing. Lord Syphis does not like loose ends. And you, right now, are a loose end. Now. All I asked is if you can prove it. I didn't ask you to convince me. A simple yes or no."

A voice crackled in his earpiece, but the voice on the other end spoke in the Gaeltach native tongue. He seemed to take note of it before watching the two once more.

"I am no loose end. I was hired by Schuh for Vixont. And I have done my job, with Andreus' help." Karasu was feeling a bit uneasy about all this questioning from unknowns.

Grammian sighed and let his head drop.

"I'll take a wild guess and say you won't be shoving an official secrets act under my nose, will you? Let's just get this over with."

He produced the cigar from his jacket and lit it.

(OOC: I've got to log off now. Gael, you're in control of Grammian. Sorry about the inopportune timing, but a very dear friend of mine needs me quite urgently.)

He laughed quietly, almost to himself. At least they were making it easy on him. They were simply wasting time, which was good. He only needed to waste a little more.

"I don't even fear the Guardians, and you think I would fear a mere man? Perhaps you don't know what role you play in this little game afterall... Yes or no. I'm just looking for one little word here."

The vehicle had started moving sometime during their conversation, and now they were slowing. The movement was quite a bit less smooth than when they had left Dekker to be noticed now. The other soldier grabbed the doorframe to steady himself as somewhat of a subconscious movement.

OOC: K, you'll have a TG in a moment.

He laughed quietly, almost to himself. At least they were making it easy on him. They were simply wasting time, which was good. He only needed to waste a little more.

"I don't even fear the Guardians, and you think I would fear a mere man? Perhaps you don't know what role you play in this little game afterall... Yes or no. I'm just looking for one little word here."

The vehicle had started moving sometime during their conversation, and now they were slowing. The movement was quite a bit less smooth than when they had left Dekker to be noticed now. The other soldier grabbed the doorframe to steady himself as somewhat of a subconscious movement.

OOC: K, you'll have a TG in a moment.

"Andreus," Karasu whispered out of the corner of her mouth, "I think they're going to kill us. Look how the road changed... double crossed by the government maybe?" Karasu flicked her wrist and slit her handcuffs so there was one on each wrist, in case they had to make a run for it.

"Yes, I do know what my orders were. They were simple, but difficult." Karasu answered. "And... they were carried out."

OOC: Arg, I'v been away for a while now :( and I cantstay on tonight, buzy tommorrow aswell. I'll post tommorrow, promise

"Yes, I do know what my orders were. They were simple, but difficult." Karasu answered. "And... they were carried out."
OOC: Grr.

"You're dancing around the question again, lady. If you wanna be that way, fine by me. It won't matter in a few minutes anyway."

The vehicle slowed once more before a sharp turn to the left. It felt like they were leaving the paved surface.

Karasu was uncomfortable with the demeanor of those in the vehicle. She had done her job. Kept Nicola alive, no thanks to Grammian. As far as she was concerned, this was over.

She did ready herself for any possible upcoming situation. Her senses were heightened as if she was nothing but nerves and adrenaline.

The vehicle finally slowed to a halt well away from the prying eyes of the public.

"Stay here."

Young hopped out the back of the vehicle leaving Davis to stand watch over the two. Another vehicle crunched to a stop behind them, muffling voices and footsteps. The back door opened again and Young ushered Schuh inside stoically.

The vehicle finally slowed to a halt well away from the prying eyes of the public.

"Stay here."

Young hopped out the back of the vehicle leaving Davis to stand watch over the two. Another vehicle crunched to a stop behind them, muffling voices and footsteps. The back door opened again and Young ushered Schuh inside stoically.

Karasu looked at the man. "Richard Schuh, or 'Ace', I presume?" she whispered to him. "I am Karina Jones, and this here is Andreus. He has been helping me with the task you have paid me to do. I assume everything is OK?" She asked.

"Will you explain to these people that we're under you're orders and to let us go? We've been treated like criminals!" She exclaimed, angry at this whole situation.

"I'm sorry but it was necessary. Appearances and all that.. Now if you'll come with me, I have a vehicle waiting to take you to Zane."

Davis waited for them to stand before unlocking the handcuffs.

"I'm sorry but it was necessary. Appearances and all that.. Now if you'll come with me, I have a vehicle waiting to take you to Zane."

Davis waited for them to stand before unlocking the handcuffs.

"I need Andreus here, to come with me. He has been helping me a great deal with this. He has been a great help. Please allow him to come along as well."

Grammian sighed and let his head drop.

"I'll take a wild guess and say you won't be shoving an official secrets act under my nose, will you? Let's just get this over with."

He produced the cigar from his jacket and lit it.

(OOC: I've got to log off now. Gael, you're in control of Grammian. Sorry about the inopportune timing, but a very dear friend of mine needs me quite urgently.)
"I'm not a cruel man, Grammian. Please, take your time with that."

Luke waited patiently for him to finish the cigar, hoping he enjoyed it despite what he was facing.

"Normally I would just have you watched for the rest of your life, but I simply don't have the manpower for it right now. My deepest apologies."

Grammian looked almost as if he had expected this. Luke withdrew a second handgun and fired twice into the investigator's chest. Standing quietly, he stepped over the body and exited the vehicle. Gastwein was there to meet him.

"Take him home. You know the drill."

Luke got into the back of a dark car and left the facility.

"I need Andreus here, to come with me. He has been helping me a great deal with this. He has been a great help. Please allow him to come along as well."
"Of course."

He led the way over to an issued vehicle and slid behind the wheel.

"Of course."

He led the way over to an issued vehicle and slid behind the wheel.

"Thank you Mr. Schuh. I also have some other things to show you in case things were cleaned up and sanitized prior to people going through Dekker."

Andreus strained against his cuffs, you could almost hear the grinding gyros in his arms, and eventually the links snapped. He noted reprochfully that his cuffs had not been removed like Karasu's. He was rather confused about the recent change in events so he leaned over to Karasu
'Karasu, who is this, and who is he working for?'

Andreus strained against his cuffs, you could almost hear the grinding gyros in his arms, and eventually the links snapped. He noted reprochfully that his cuffs had not been removed like Karasu's. He was rather confused about the recent change in events so he leaned over to Karasu
'Karasu, who is this, and who is he working for?'

"This is 'Ace'... the one Zane has me working for. He works for the head of the Department of Denfense, Syphis Vixont. I'm not exactly sure what's going on here either." Karasu told him.

Syphis stood in the kitchen of his private residence and poured two martinis from a stainless steel shaker.

"What do you mean you need more time, how much more time?" His voice was soft but firm, his irritation punctuated as he set the shaker down firmy and lifted the drinks.

"Weeks... months... however long it takes to finish his training."

"And the free will?"

"He did everything we expected him to. It just needs some fine tuning to downplay it a bit."

Luke accepted the second glass gratefully and sampled the clear drink. Outstanding, just as Syphis always made them. He crossed one ankle over his knee and leaned back against the leather armchair.

"I'm counting on you, Luke."

"Kruschev will be ready, I promise you. For the good of Gaeltach."

"And as far as anyone knows, he is dead. My men think he is dead, your men think he is dead. And no one will have reason to think otherwise, right?"

"Of course, sir."

Syphis seemed to consider this a moment and sampled his own drink, resting his free arm behind his back in his usual regal stance. Then turning, he fixed Luke with a soul-rending gaze and a slight frown.

"One last thing. I know about the weapons dealing. It has to stop immediately, understand?"

"Consider it done, my Lord."

Luke bowed his head respectfully. Syphis was a man he would never cross for various reasons. And Luke, though somewhat powerful himself, was a grateful and obliging servant.

"Thank you Mr. Schuh. I also have some other things to show you in case things were cleaned up and sanitized prior to people going through Dekker."
"Please leave all evidence with me. Zane and I will go through it, but neither of us can chance have loose photographs out there."

He pulled out into the street and towards the office park where Zane had a temporary office.

"I know you have a lot of questions. We'll fill you in as best we can."

"Please leave all evidence with me. Zane and I will go through it, but neither of us can chance have loose photographs out there."

He pulled out into the street and towards the office park where Zane had a temporary office.

"I know you have a lot of questions. We'll fill you in as best we can."


"Oh, there will be no loose photographs Mr. Schuh. I'll hand over what I have and let him know what we've seen when we get there." Karasu said, suspicious of why he might want his hands on everything when they were nearly at the office. Also unbeknownst to him, she had two cameras and took pictures with both, so she would never lose any evidence.

The horizon was a fiery orange as they pulled into the lot at the office park. The morning shift was just starting to show up and get a start to their day. Schuh stepped out of the vehicle and led them to one of the buildings.

"Zane's on the third floor," he explained, pressing the elevator button and holding the door for the two.

The horizon was a fiery orange as they pulled into the lot at the office park. The morning shift was just starting to show up and get a start to their day. Schuh stepped out of the vehicle and led them to one of the buildings.

"Zane's on the third floor," he explained, pressing the elevator button and holding the door for the two.

"After you," Karasu motioned to Schuh, smiling at him.

"After you," Karasu motioned to Schuh, smiling at him.
"Not a woman who cares much for chivalry, are you?"

He stepped in first, then allowed the doors to close after the two had followed him. On the third floor, he led the way once more into Zane's office. While the two situated themselves and greeted Zane, he retreated to a coffee maker and poured himself a cup.

"Not a woman who cares much for chivalry, are you?"

He stepped in first, then allowed the doors to close after the two had followed him. On the third floor, he led the way once more into Zane's office. While the two situated themselves and greeted Zane, he retreated to a coffee maker and poured himself a cup.

Karasu let out a relieved sigh. "Zane it is so good to see you. This has been hell." Her disguise was left on, as Schuh was not to see her face.

"I did my job. I kept Nicola alive until he was taken by the special forces. Andreus saw them take Nicola and Grammian. My job is done." She stated.

"I have something for you." Karasu handed Zane a tiny camera. "In case there is a rapid clean up job, I took pictures of the 'experiments' after they were killed by Nico. Mr. Schuh, you will find I did exactly as instructed, with the help of Andrew," she used his pseudonym again.

"Now, if you could tell me what this is all about." She waited for an explanation for everything.

Schuh sighed into his coffee and leaned idly against the corner of Zane's desk. The question was inevitable but he was still uncertain of just how to address it adequately.

"Artemis was contracted by the Gaelic government for biomedical research. We knew that. But from what we understand, they've been doing a little work on the side. Arms dealing, illegal experimentation, you name it. Kruschev was part of that. The Department of Defense is looking into genetic infusions to create a better soldier, similar to the work they have done in Automagfreek and several other nations. Artemis found out about it, and hoped to beat competitors to the punchline, since the official notice has not yet been released. Kruschev was a prototype."

Schuh sighed into his coffee and leaned idly against the corner of Zane's desk. The question was inevitable but he was still uncertain of just how to address it adequately.

"Artemis was contracted by the Gaelic government for biomedical research. We knew that. But from what we understand, they've been doing a little work on the side. Arms dealing, illegal experimentation, you name it. Kruschev was part of that. The Department of Defense is looking into genetic infusions to create a better soldier, similar to the work they have done in Automagfreek and several other nations. Artemis found out about it, and hoped to beat competitors to the punchline, since the official notice has not yet been released. Kruschev was a prototype."

"Against his own will. That's what fuels his anger. I saw dead children down there. You have it all on that camera. They were turned into mutants and were like animals in cages. It was disgusting and definitely a human rights violation." Karasu stated disgustedly.

"That depends how you look at it. For the moment, Artemis is in the clear. According to official records, none of these people exist. We lifted Nicola's prints from a few of the murder scenes. He's been dead for about 15 years."

He took another sip of the coffee, watching her reaction.

"That depends how you look at it. For the moment, Artemis is in the clear. According to official records, none of these people exist. We lifted Nicola's prints from a few of the murder scenes. He's been dead for about 15 years."

He took another sip of the coffee, watching her reaction.


'How calmly the men and women of power deal in human lives.' Andreus said sullenly
'Do you identify Nico as a man? Or simply a trial of no further use to you after the experiment has come to a close, no human rights, no empathy?'

"He is most certainly a man, though I have my doubts regarding his humanity. Anyone who has been through what he has been through, and who could kill as he has killed can't be human. Now. What other questions can I answer?"

He glanced to Zane briefly, then refilled his styrofoam cup.

"He is most certainly a man, though I have my doubts regarding his humanity. Anyone who has been through what he has been through, and who could kill as he has killed can't be human. Now. What other questions can I answer?"

He glanced to Zane briefly, then refilled his styrofoam cup.

'You have not actually answered mine. But- no. None that you can answer.'

"That depends how you look at it. For the moment, Artemis is in the clear. According to official records, none of these people exist. We lifted Nicola's prints from a few of the murder scenes. He's been dead for about 15 years."

He took another sip of the coffee, watching her reaction.

"Dead for 15 years!" Karasu could hardly say it while laughing so loudly. "You're a real spinmeister aren't you! So because it's not on official public record that they exist, they don't exist? Give me a break! Oh man, I've heard lousy attorneys before, but you better not ever go into law!"

Karasu was so surprised at Schuh's stupid reasoning that she couldn't stop laughing.

"You've never heard of re-al-i-ty before, have you... say it with me... re-al-i-ty. Don't start believing your own spin. Artemis is in no clear, except for 'officially'. But I see that's how you play here." She rolled her eyes.

Zane avoided Karasu's eyes, knowing he was going to get an earfull later. Karasu knew well enough that he was unaware of the entire situation, or he never would have put her on this job.

She looked at Andreus and felt so helpless. Artemis could just continue what they were doing, and Karasu knew Andreus still had questions.

"So are we supposed to just leave now? If so, you'll be hearing from me soon, Zane." She glared at him. She glared at Schuh.

And her heart ached for Andreus. She could see he was in pain.

"Dead for 15 years!" Karasu could hardly say it while laughing so loudly. "You're a real spinmeister aren't you! So because it's not on official public record that they exist, they don't exist? Give me a break! Oh man, I've heard lousy attorneys before, but you better not ever go into law!"

Karasu was so surprised at Schuh's stupid reasoning that she couldn't stop laughing.

"You've never heard of re-al-i-ty before, have you... say it with me... re-al-i-ty. Don't start believing your own spin. Artemis is in no clear, except for 'officially'. But I see that's how you play here." She rolled her eyes.
He paused a moment to collect himself. When he finally spoke, his voice was incredibly calm.

"I don't recall saying that is what I believe. As far as the public records go, he died at the age of 13. Now if you had let me finish before jumping to your conclusions, I would have explained. Like all the other test subjects, Artemis took them from hospitals. All of them people with no chance of survival for some reason or another. Nicola had been in an injury-induced coma since an early age. After so many years, his family and the hospital agreed it was hopeless and pulled the plug. Enter Artemis. We're still not sure how they revived him, or any of the others for that matter, but the death certificates keep them out of trouble."

He paused a moment to collect himself. When he finally spoke, his voice was incredibly calm.

"I don't recall saying that is what I believe. As far as the public records go, he died at the age of 13. Now if you had let me finish before jumping to your conclusions, I would have explained. Like all the other test subjects, Artemis took them from hospitals. All of them people with no chance of survival for some reason or another. Nicola had been in an injury-induced coma since an early age. After so many years, his family and the hospital agreed it was hopeless and pulled the plug. Enter Artemis. We're still not sure how they revived him, or any of the others for that matter, but the death certificates keep them out of trouble."

"I see. And what of Nicola now. Where does he go now? What about Artemis and Dekker? What about further experimentation?" Karasu asked him, calming down a bit.

Zane coughed and gave Karasu a look that said I'll explain more when we're out of here, and then offered Andreus and Karasu a cup of coffee.

"Thank you Zane," she said, giving Schuh a look that noted his rudeness for not offering first.

Karasu wanted this over as soon as possible, so she could get out of the fat suit and rubber mask and makeup. Andreus was obviously uncomfortable, as well. She wanted to be home with Andreus... to have another quiet and interesting night together.

"You still haven't answered our questions Mr. Schuh. We'll stay until we get answers." Karasu stated less than diplomatically.

"Also, who runs Artemis. I would like a name. The man responsible for all of this. And I question how it was that Vixont knew to dispatch the Diamond team to Dekker when they did." Those are enough questions for that dolt to answer for now, including the querys I asked before, which, so far he has not answered. Then she remembered, this jerk wanted me to go to a ball with him? Bleah!

Karasu then thought of one more question. "Mr. Schuh, I would like for you to arrange for me to meet with Mr. Grammian." She sat back, crossed her legs, took a sip of coffee, looked at him, and waited for him to speak.

"I haven't spoken to the Diamond team leaders yet to find out what they are doing with Nicola. As far as I know at the moment, Syphis is seeing to Artemis and Dekker labs personally. Experimentation will be postponed for now, at least as far as humans are concerned, but will undoubtedly resume somwhere down the line."

He glanced down to his pager as it began buzzing on his hip, taking note of the number to call later.

"Artemis is led by a man named Luke Demetrill. Don't get any ideas. He is well-protected for the moment. As for the Diamonds, we have been monitering all calls with Dekker. They called Grammian, which is how we found out about it."

Unsatisfied, the pager finally stopped vibrating, only to be replaced by the soft ring of his cell phone.

"If you would excuse me for a moment."

He picked up the phone and walked into another room. As an agent for the Defense ministry, privacy was needed for the vast majority of his communications.

"I haven't spoken to the Diamond team leaders yet to find out what they are doing with Nicola. As far as I know at the moment, Syphis is seeing to Artemis and Dekker labs personally. Experimentation will be postponed for now, at least as far as humans are concerned, but will undoubtedly resume somwhere down the line."

He glanced down to his pager as it began buzzing on his hip, taking note of the number to call later.

"Artemis is led by a man named Luke Demetrill. Don't get any ideas. He is well-protected for the moment. As for the Diamonds, we have been monitering all calls with Dekker. They called Grammian, which is how we found out about it."

Unsatisfied, the pager finally stopped vibrating, only to be replaced by the soft ring of his cell phone.

"If you would excuse me for a moment."

He picked up the phone and walked into another room. As an agent for the Defense ministry, privacy was needed for the vast majority of his communications.

Luke Demetrill... A name a will not forget. "They are going to resume testing on humans? WHAT humans? This sort of experimentation is pretty twisted." Karasu told Schuh. "To the point of inhumane, it seems."

Before Schuh could answer, his cell phone rang and he took the call in the other room.

"Andreus," Karasu whispered, "use your bionic ear to listen in. I'm trusting these people less and less."

She sat back up and looked at Zane from across the desk, a smirk on her face, a knowing smile on his. "So Zane, you'll tell me the rest later, I presume? In fact, I insist."

Zane grinned. "Blunt as usual, Karina." Karasu rolled her eyes at the name.
"We'd like to get the fuck out of here, but with a few more answers. Not all this convoluted garbage."

Zane just sighed loudly. "I don't even know exactly where the truth ends and the lies begin. We'll talk later."

"Yes we will. After all, with something like this, OUR lives may be at stake. You may have to make some quick arrangements for all of us to get the hell out of here, or at least find a safe place, although I believe we're safe where we are. I suggest we play along with their lies." Karasu whispered.

They had been whispering, so Andreus could hear the phone call Schuh had just taken. I have a funny feeling that phone call may reveal some interesting information.

Karasu reached over and held Andreus' hand.

Luke Demetrill... A name a will not forget. "They are going to resume testing on humans? WHAT humans? This sort of experimentation is pretty twisted." Karasu told Schuh. "To the point of inhumane, it seems."

Before Schuh could answer, his cell phone rang and he took the call in the other room.

"Andreus," Karasu whispered, "use your bionic ear to listen in. I'm trusting these people less and less."

She sat back up and looked at Zane from across the desk, a smirk on her face, a knowing smile on his. "So Zane, you'll tell me the rest later, I presume? In fact, I insist."

Zane grinned. "Blunt as usual, Karina." Karasu rolled her eyes at the name.
"We'd like to get the fuck out of here, but with a few more answers. Not all this convoluted garbage."

Zane just sighed loudly. "I don't even know exactly where the truth ends and the lies begin. We'll talk later."

"Yes we will. After all, with something like this, OUR lives may be at stake. You may have to make some quick arrangements for all of us to get the hell out of here, or at least find a safe place, although I believe we're safe where we are. I suggest we play along with their lies." Karasu whispered.

They had been whispering, so Andreus could hear the phone call Schuh had just taken. I have a funny feeling that phone call may reveal some interesting information.

Karasu reached over and held Andreus' hand.

'Done' Andreus murmered and closed his eyes, mentally focusing in to the phone conversation. He clasped Karasu's hand gratefully
'What have you to hide captain.....'

'Done' Andreus murmered and closed his eyes, mentally focusing in to the phone conversation. He clasped Karasu's hand gratefully
'What have you to hide captain.....'

"Careful Andreus," Karsu whispered. "We have to get as much info as we can without being overly suspicious. If he tells us something, go along with it. We can discuss what we really think when we get home."

Karasu and Andreus waited for Schuh's answers to their questions. I imagine he's trying to think of a cover story right now, and whoever was on the phone is helping him.

The conversation was mostly coded. Anything which dealt with military operations was done this way, especially over the phone lines. Schuh listened calmly, inputting opinion where requested. But towards the end of the conversation they switched gears.

"Are the reports in for today? ...and? ...both of them? ...how? ...I see ...no, no, I understand. ...yes, sir."

He closed the phone slowly. That news hadn't been expected in the least. Composing himself, he let himself back into the main office and pocketed the phone.

"I'm sorry, my calls are usually classified. Any unauthorized persons priivy to military information can be prosecuted under imperial regulations, regardless of intent."

He narrowed his eyes at them a moment as if making a point, then sighed and finished off his coffee.

"Kruschev and Grammian are dead. Apparantly Kruschev attacked one of the guards in the truck and they had to shoot him. Grammian was hit as well, due to the close quarters."

Schuh set the cup down quietly. So much potential wasted by a few ounces of metal.

The conversation was mostly coded. Anything which dealt with military operations was done this way, especially over the phone lines. Schuh listened calmly, inputting opinion where requested. But towards the end of the conversation they switched gears.

"Are the reports in for today? ...and? ...both of them? ...how? ...I see ...no, no, I understand. ...yes, sir."

He closed the phone slowly. That news hadn't been expected in the least. Composing himself, he let himself back into the main office and pocketed the phone.

"I'm sorry, my calls are usually classified. Any unauthorized persons priivy to military information can be prosecuted under imperial regulations, regardless of intent."

He narrowed his eyes at them a moment as if making a point, then sighed and finished off his coffee.

"Kruschev and Grammian are dead. Apparantly Kruschev attacked one of the guards in the truck and they had to shoot him. Grammian was hit as well, due to the close quarters."

Schuh set the cup down quietly. So much potential wasted by a few ounces of metal.

'He seems...confused, suprised at some sudden news...but I can't understand most of it' He opened his eyes as the man came back in. As he heard the news Andreus couldn't believe his ears
'Dead? But...why? I'm sorry, but...it doesn't make sense..' He was more confused than the captain. It wasn't supposed to go like this, it felt wrong. But what if it was true? He had failed. He had failed his duty and another man had paid the price. He just sat there trying to absorb it all.

'He seems...confused, suprised at some sudden news...but I can't understand most of it' He opened his eyes as the man came back in. As he heard the news Andreus couldn't believe his ears
'Dead? But...why? I'm sorry, but...it doesn't make sense..' He was more confused than the captain. It wasn't supposed to go like this, it felt wrong. But what if it was true? He had failed. He had failed his duty and another man had paid the price. He just sat there trying to absorb it all.

"Well, I've done my job. I kept Nico alive until the authorities had him." Well, well, Grammian, Karma gotcha after all. Karasu grinned inside.

"As far as I'm concerned, we're done with this, unless there is anything else you want us to do Mr. Schuh. Of course all of this never happened as far as we're concerned. We are professionals. You know that or you never would have contacted Zane." Karasu sighed.

"Well, Andreus, Zane, shall we?" She stood up to leave.

"No, nothing more regarding this matter. Will you be staying in Gaeltach or would you like a Guardian to escort you?"

In his head Schuh was already trying to figure out how to deal with this. Maybe it was better Nicola was dead. Keep things out of the public eye. All that would be needed is a police statement for the news in regards to the public notice Artemis had originally issued. Maybe this whole thing would clean up neatly after all.

"No, nothing more regarding this matter. Will you be staying in Gaeltach or would you like a Guardian to escort you?"

In his head Schuh was already trying to figure out how to deal with this. Maybe it was better Nicola was dead. Keep things out of the public eye. All that would be needed is a police statement for the news in regards to the public notice Artemis had originally issued. Maybe this whole thing would clean up neatly after all.

"Well, I think Andreus and I may stay in Gaeltach for a few days to take in some of the sights. We have had no time for any leisure." Karasu smiled.

"I'll be on my way." Zane stated cryptically, as usual. Karasu knew he'd be in touch.

"Thank you Mr. Schuh." She said to Ace as they walked out the door.

When they were out the door, she gave Andreus a knowing look and mouthed 'later'.

They were silent until they reached the streets.

"Andreus, let's go all over the place in case anyone tails us. We can talk about this when we get to my place. I'm sure we're both thinking the same thing." She grabbed onto his hand and put her head on his shoulder as they walked.

Andreus and Karasu weaved in and out of alleys, went through malls and came out other doors, and basically made it impossible for anyone to find them. When it got dark, they hit the roofs and jumped them until they reached Karasu's building. They went in through the top entrance.

"Andreus, I know you're disappointed," Karasu said gently while looking up at him. She then hugged him for a good long time.

"I don't think Nico is dead." Karasu whispered in his ear. She let go of him. "And I don't think you believe he's dead either. We've been fed a pile of shit today. I do think Karma, or should I say Luke Demitrill, killed Grammian. We will probably hear about his death on the news. You were right about him getting what he deserved. I don't believe our job here is done, Andreus. This experimenting is going to continue. I also believe we will be watched to some extent. We're liabilities to them and our lives could be in danger." Karasu sighed. She didn't want to live having to have eyes in the back of her head. Well, that's how I live anyway, she thought.

Karasu took Andreus' hand palm up, and put an envelope into it. "On the bright side, I got paid." She smiled at Andreus. "You get half. I couldn't have done much of anything without you. As a matter of fact, take it all." Karasu handed the rest of the money to Andreus. This sum of money was enough to live on for a lifetime. That's the way she was always paid.

"I don't need it. I get paid like this all the time." Karasu said to him, holding her palm over the money she put in his hand and looking into his eyes.

"I know you've probably never had this much money before, and, I'm guessing, you don't really want it." Karasu chuckled. "Do what you like with it. If you want to use it for charity or to help people out, then do that. I would suggest you keep some for yourself, however." She smiled at him and hugged him again. Karasu whispered in his ear, "You will stay with me, won't you?" She wanted him to stay more than anything she had ever wanted in her life.

She pulled away from him. "Andreus... to put it bluntly, you mean more to me than anything, and I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you." She looked into his eyes with eyes that clearly showed she loved him.

Andreus and Karasu weaved in and out of alleys, went through malls and came out other doors, and basically made it impossible for anyone to find them. When it got dark, they hit the roofs and jumped them until they reached Karasu's building. They went in through the top entrance.

"Andreus, I know you're disappointed," Karasu said gently while looking up at him. She then hugged him for a good long time.

"I don't think Nico is dead." Karasu whispered in his ear. She let go of him. "And I don't think you believe he's dead either. We've been fed a pile of shit today. I do think Karma, or should I say Luke Demitrill, killed Grammian. We will probably hear about his death on the news. You were right about him getting what he deserved. I don't believe our job here is done, Andreus. This experimenting is going to continue. I also believe we will be watched to some extent. We're liabilities to them and our lives could be in danger." Karasu sighed. She didn't want to live having to have eyes in the back of her head. Well, that's how I live anyway, she thought.

Karasu took Andreus' hand palm up, and put an envelope into it. "On the bright side, I got paid." She smiled at Andreus. "You get half. I couldn't have done much of anything without you. As a matter of fact, take it all." Karasu handed the rest of the money to Andreus. This sum of money was enough to live on for a lifetime. That's the way she was always paid.

"I don't need it. I get paid like this all the time." Karasu said to him, holding her palm over the money she put in his hand and looking into his eyes.

"I know you've probably never had this much money before, and, I'm guessing, you don't really want it." Karasu chuckled. "Do what you like with it. If you want to use it for charity or to help people out, then do that. I would suggest you keep some for yourself, however." She smiled at him and hugged him again. Karasu whispered in his ear, "You will stay with me, won't you?" She wanted him to stay more than anything she had ever wanted in her life.

She pulled away from him. "Andreus... to put it bluntly, you mean more to me than anything, and I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you." She looked into his eyes with eyes that clearly showed she loved him.

He looked at the envelope in his hand, he had never even been in close proximity with so much of it. But-
'What use have I for money?' He looked into her eyes and saw all he needed
'There are more important things in life' He smiled and hugged her with a light kiss on her forehead
'And I am holding one of them' He closed his eyes happily with her in his arms
'I don't know how to go from here though- with the case of Nico that is. If he is indeed alive we have no idea where he is. Alot of innocent souls have died because of this organisation. Too much blood is on thier hands now to let them carry on unhindered' Inwardly he was slightly afraid, he had never dealt with somthing this big before. The world of companies and government were another world to him. He had always had things straightforward, do his duty, speak up for those with no voice, but this was so much...bigger.

He looked at the envelope in his hand, he had never even been in close proximity with so much of it. But-
'What use have I for money?' He looked into her eyes and saw all he needed
'There are more important things in life' He smiled and hugged her with a light kiss on her forehead
'And I am holding one of them' He closed his eyes happily with her in his arms
'I don't know how to go from here though- with the case of Nico that is. If he is indeed alive we have no idea where he is. Alot of innocent souls have died because of this organisation. Too much blood is on thier hands now to let them carry on unhindered' Inwardly he was slightly afraid, he had never dealt with somthing this big before. The world of companies and government were another world to him. He had always had things straightforward, do his duty, speak up for those with no voice, but this was so much...bigger.

It felt good to be in Andreus' arms again.

She looked at Andreus. "Dealing with organizations like this is tough. This isn't just Artemis and Dekker, it's the entire government." Karasu sighed. "In these cases, you can't trust anyone, and we are probably being watched any time we're out." She reminded Andreus.

"I'd like to stop all this research, period. But we're up against huge powerful corporations in league with a corrupt government. By the way, that money may come in handy since this IS a corrupt government. I know you want to stay and end this as well... I can see it in your eyes. That's why I..." Karasu turned her back to Andreus. She couldn't face him, because she knew what he would likely think of what she was about to say. "That's why I killed all the researchers and geneticists I found. I just killed them in cold blood. About five of them I think. This has always been my job, but I look at it a little differently since I met you. Perhaps I did the right thing. The government is in league with them, so they would never be arrested. Maybe killing them was the only way to stop them. I don't know why I'm questioning myself like this." Karasu felt confused. "When Demitrill realizes that I killed these men, I'm sure I'll be at the top of his 'to do' list." She sighed.

"I'm sorry. I probably made it worse by killing all those people, but I didn't know how else to stop them... and because I did this, you'll be in more danger now as well. I-I'm sorry Andreus. I'm sorry for making your life more difficult." It really hurt Karasu to know that her actions had put Andreus in more danger.

"I'm so sorry. I'm used to working alone, and not having to think about the consequences of my actions on anyone else." Karasu hung her head and mentally kicked herself.

It felt good to be in Andreus' arms again.

She looked at Andreus. "Dealing with organizations like this is tough. This isn't just Artemis and Dekker, it's the entire government." Karasu sighed. "In these cases, you can't trust anyone, and we are probably being watched any time we're out." She reminded Andreus.

"I'd like to stop all this research, period. But we're up against huge powerful corporations in league with a corrupt government. By the way, that money may come in handy since this IS a corrupt government. I know you want to stay and end this as well... I can see it in your eyes. That's why I..." Karasu turned her back to Andreus. She couldn't face him, because she knew what he would likely think of what she was about to say. "That's why I killed all the researchers and geneticists I found. I just killed them in cold blood. About five of them I think. This has always been my job, but I look at it a little differently since I met you. Perhaps I did the right thing. The government is in league with them, so they would never be arrested. Maybe killing them was the only way to stop them. I don't know why I'm questioning myself like this." Karasu felt confused. "When Demitrill realizes that I killed these men, I'm sure I'll be at the top of his 'to do' list." She sighed.

"I'm sorry. I probably made it worse by killing all those people, but I didn't know how else to stop them... and because I did this, you'll be in more danger now as well. I-I'm sorry Andreus. I'm sorry for making your life more difficult." It really hurt Karasu to know that her actions had put Andreus in more danger.

"I'm so sorry. I'm used to working alone, and not having to think about the consequences of my actions on anyone else." Karasu hung her head and mentally kicked herself.

'For one, I am not the most inconspicuous of men. I doubt having one more set of people watching me will make too much difference to the normal. And second' He rested her head on his shoulder
'Those who have sacrificed thier humanity do not deserve being on your conscience. In truth you may have saved lives in what you did. Perhaps...it is not what I would have done, at least that is what I would like to believe, but I see no great sin in it. You could never make my life harder. You have given it focus and you have restored some of my faith in men. You have also given me love, this means more to me than any difficulty in life, and I would not have you feeling that you have wronged me in any way'

'For one, I am not the most inconspicuous of men. I doubt having one more set of people watching me will make too much difference to the normal. And second' He rested her head on his shoulder
'Those who have sacrificed thier humanity do not deserve being on your conscience. In truth you may have saved lives in what you did. Perhaps...it is not what I would have done, at least that is what I would like to believe, but I see no great sin in it. You could never make my life harder. You have given it focus and you have restored some of my faith in men. You have also given me love, this means more to me than any difficulty in life, and I would not have you feeling that you have wronged me in any way'

"You have given me real love as well. And I don't want to lose you. You've made me realize that I don't have to be alone. Not only that. You're truly the most wonderful man I've ever met. Just extraordinary. I'm the luckiest woman in the world." Karasu said to him, looking him in the eyes with nothing but pure love and acceptance in her eyes. She gently guided his face to hers and kissed him on the lips." I'm so lucky.

"You have given me real love as well. And I don't want to lose you. You've made me realize that I don't have to be alone. Not only that. You're truly the most wonderful man I've ever met. Just extraordinary. I'm the luckiest woman in the world." Karasu said to him, looking him in the eyes with nothing but pure love and acceptance in her eyes. She gently guided his face to hers and kissed him on the lips." I'm so lucky.

'No, not the luckiest' He put his arms round her
'But perhaps the most unique' He leant into the kiss tenderly and alot of the worry he had been carrying around about Nico and the huge powers involved out to kill use or take advantage of him evaporated with the touch of her lips.
'Out of all the problems we face, loosing me is not somthing you have to worry about'

'No, not the luckiest' He put his arms round her
'But perhaps the most unique' He leant into the kiss tenderly and alot of the worry he had been carrying around about Nico and the huge powers involved out to kill use or take advantage of him evaporated with the touch of her lips.
'Out of all the problems we face, loosing me is not somthing you have to worry about'

"I am relieved to hear that," Karasu whispered, and continued kissing him, her heart pounding. Without realizing it, she let out a quiet moan.

"I am relieved to hear that," Karasu whispered, and continued kissing him, her heart pounding. Without realizing it, she let out a quiet moan.

He felt strange being so close to her like this, it wasn't a bad feeling, but she was reacting...as if every one of his caresses was pleasurable for her. Unconsciously his heaters in his arms warmed up his metallic hands and they moved up to gently hold her head as they kissed.

He felt strange being so close to her like this, it wasn't a bad feeling, but she was reacting...as if every one of his caresses was pleasurable for her. Unconsciously his heaters in his arms warmed up his metallic hands and they moved up to gently hold her head as they kissed.

Their kissing became more heated and intense... and the truth was, she wanted Andreus to make love to her.

Their kissing became more heated and intense... and the truth was, she wanted Andreus to make love to her.


Andreus let go of her slightly and looked at her as she trembled slightly with passion
'Are you ok?' He was breathing slightly heavily, and he saw somthing new in her eyes that he was sure was showing in his

Andreus let go of her slightly and looked at her as she trembled slightly with passion
'Are you ok?' He was breathing slightly heavily, and he saw somthing new in her eyes that he was sure was showing in his

Karasu whispered to him, her voice filled with love and lust, "I want you to make love to me, Andreus."

OOC: This would be a really good place to stop, guys. A nice "Happy ever after" ending.

OOC: Gael said she may want to continue it when she gets back, but isn't sure... We're not going to post a LOT or anything.

OOC: Mmm. I suggest having a tasteful fade-to-black then.

OOC: No, we're going to write explicit porno :p ;) OF COURSE it will be a fadeout! :)

Nico's still alive and whatnot... so she MAY continue it here or otherwise on another thread.

OOC: Incidentally, I'm going to do an RP about how Grammian became a hitman, set in the late 40s. Look out for it.

OOC: No, we're going to write explicit porno :p ;) OF COURSE it will be a fadeout! :)

Nico's still alive and whatnot... so she MAY continue it here or otherwise on another thread.

OOC: Yes, there are many reasons for a tasteful fadeout, one of which is I never thought about how much of Andreus is cybernetic.
Nor do I wish to :D

OOC: Yes, there are many reasons for a tasteful fadeout, one of which is I never thought about how much of Andreus is cybernetic.
Nor do I wish to :D

OOC: LMMFAO! That was occuring to me as well... :D

IC: Karasu and Andreus head toward the bedroom... fade to black. ;)