* It's been a week now, since you've responded to the freak mass ad. * Rumor's abound about the true intention of the ad, and one of the less popular ones is that it was indeed an actual recruitmentment. Your starting to agree with them, as there's been no sign of a response. * There's also been rumors of hardware failure associated with the efforts that are still going strong to try and trace it. * But for you, life goes on. [start] * Cliona is sitting in a bar, partaking of one her favorite things. Liqour. She's quite merrily chatting it up with the woman on the stool next to her, who seems half ready to leap off the seat and sprint out the door. .. and so.. *snicker*.. I snuck up on the half drunk guy and just flat out clocked him with the butt of my laser pistol! Easiest bounty I ever made! * Cliona tosses back the last of her scotch, grinning at the woman. * The woman, who seems half ready to run, now seems likes she's fully ready to run. But not after glancing at the door, for some reason. * The muted chatting abuzz in the bar suddenly drops in level. * Then it drops to zero. * Cliona is too busy laughing at the "hilarity" of her story to notice, her snickering probably the only sound in the whole bar. * Numech enters, after a long moment of standing there and looking imposing. * Numech lifts its head in a highborn manner, and speaks loudly into the bar. Which one of you -humans- is Clio? Cliona Cria. * Cliona twitches, her hand moving to the holster at her side. She tugs her hat down a bit and without looking over to the newmech, "I'm Clio Crea. What d'ya want?" * Numech is big. Big like a tree. Altough he dosen't appear armed, that's hardly an accurate guess. Ah. Good. Come with me, now. * Numech gestures outside, stepping outside itself. * Before you follow yourself, you hear several yells and gasps. * 'Numech! Run!' 'Look out, it's armed!' 'Call the military!' * Cliona sighs and slides off her stool, moving to the door without a protest. Last time she was called out like this, it was some stupid convict thinking he could take on a bounty hunter of her calibur.. Better to do this outside. * Numech appeared unarmed before. Dosen't appear so now, if the sharp looking protrusions from the arms, and the shiny laser barrels in each hand are any indication. * Oh yeah. A friend of yours is tied up, who you met a week or 3 ago. She's huddled and scared looking. You remember her name as Nina. * Cliona growls softly, drawing her laser pistol and leveling it at the newmech. "Allright. Start talking, and let the girl go before I get mad. If you want to take me on that's fine, but leave the innocent folks out of this." I don't want to take you on, -human-. I want you dead. I wont allow -him- to interfere with our plans. * Numech levels one barrel at Cliona, and one at Nina. If you fight, she dies. So just die. * Cliona growls, her gun still leveled at the numech. Her eyes seem to flash with numbers as she tries to figure a plan of action... * Numech fires the nice shiny laser pistol at Clio, fully expecting her to stand there and take it. * Numech hits Cliona with the nice shiny laser weapon! For 15 damage! Che... You're still standing. No problem. * Numech levels both the shiny laser barrels at Clio. [pause -continue later] * When our hero left off last, there was a big imposing Numech! Holding a friend hostage! In a not nice way! * The evil evil numech also had a nice shiny barrel pointed at our hero, and delivered an ultimatum! 'Just die!' * It shot at our hero, and hit! Now, that that is over, we now resume to your regularly scheduled mini, in the middle of combat! Clio's turn! [ Get Set! Fight! ] Che.... you're still standing. No problem. * Numech levels both his shiny laser barrels at Clio, taking his aim off the tied-up girl. * Cliona smirks and lavels her gun, blocking out the pain... "Bad move." * Cliona takes aim and fires off a shot bofore moving for cover.. * Numech shifts stances sligthly, trying to get out of the way without actually looking like it's doing so. And fails. * Numech -glares- at Clio, looking quite insulted that it got hit. You ... you ... human! * Cliona smirks slightly, taking aim again. "Aww. Poor baby. Hit by a "inferior" human... Or am I?" She fires again, aiming the blast at the numech's knee. * Numech 's face would turn red, if it could do so, you'd imagine. But it can't, so it settles for firing at Clio! * The first shiny red laser beam of death almost hits, but misses as you get out of the way. And the second shot just plain misses. * Cliona curses as the laser comes flying back at her and dives behind a convenient wall. * Numech shrugs. Whatever. It dosen't matter, anymore. You fought, she dies. * Numech trains the left gun on Nina, not taking the other off of Clio. * Nina squirms a bit, eyes widening. * Cliona growls softly to herself and come back around, once again taking aim at the Numech, bent on hitting the gun aimed at Nina. * Numech shifts it's gun out of the way, the shot making a little scorch mark in the wall. Too bad. Nice try, for a human, though. * Numech fires at Nina! There's a nice big burn, and a nice loud girlish panicked scream. Then the other gun fires at you! * Cliona ducks back behind the wall as the beam zooms past her, and growls something about the look on her face seeming to harden as she hears the scream. * More screams are heard, and you can hear the distant wail of military sirens. * Numech cocks it's head, listening to the distant sirens. Well, I must admit. Normally I could take them on, but you've damaged me a little bit. So, I shall take my leave. * Numech keeps one gun trained on Nina, slowing backing up. * Cliona curses and holsters her gun hurrying over to Nina.. * Numech reaches the entrance ramp to the megahighway, and jumps off over the edge. * Nina is hurt, and writhing in pain. There's a nice big burn mark visible on her chest, as all the clothes in the way were burned off by the blast. * Cliona curses rather loudly and quickly pulls up Nina's shirt. She pops open the pouch at her belt and grabs a Nanopatch. "Hope the wound isn't too deep.." She quickly slaps it on. * The patch takes effect, dissolving. A good portion of the wound is gone, after a minute or so. Ah... ah? Cliona? Remember me? We met last week at the club over in Nexus? * Nina winces, holding the wound. But obviously not in as much pain. I hope you remember me. Maybe then what I have to tell you won't seem so wierd. * Cliona nods. "I remember you. I wouldn't have used one of my patches if I didn't.." Ah. Good. C'mon... let's get you inside... * The military sirens are a lot closer, now. Inside would be a good idea. * Cliona offers a hand to Nina and helps her into the bar. * Nina nods, accepting the offered hand, and follows Clio in. * The bar is quite quiet, when you re-enter it. A lot of the denizens had left once the shooting started. But there's still some people in there, and most of them are watching Clio suspiciously. * Cliona moves over to a booth in the quiet corner of the bar, "So... what'd that numech want withyou?" * Nina fidgets a little at the question, tracing a circle in the table with her finger. Well, uh.... you. I think I should start from the beginning. It's really wierd. * Cliona shrugs and flags down a waitress, ordering a Scotch for herself and a water for Nina. "I've got plenty of time." Um, earlier today, I was at your place. I had written a song I wanted to get your opinion on, so I went there. But you weren't there. Right... I've been here most of the day. I was about to leave, when your TV turned on by itself, and this cat thing asked me if I was you. But I wasn't. The cat thing said somethign wierd, someting about another connection leak, then the numech busted down your door. The cat thing looked at the numech, eeked, and flipped the tv back off, then the numech grabbed me and made me help him find you. Really wierd, ne? It's really true, though! * Cliona quirks her brow and leans on teh table a bit. "Yeah. That's definately weird..." * Nina leans forward. Does this have anything to do with the big mercanary ad a while back? I think it's still just a hoax, though. I sent in a response, but nothing happened. * Cliona shrugs slightly and thanks teh waitress as her scotch is brought to the table.. "I'm not sure if it is, or not. Could be though." Oh. Did you send in one too? Yep. * Nina blinks. * Cliona downs a shot of scotch and sighs. "I did. I was beginning to think it was a hoax too. But now..." I have a weird idea. But I don't think it's any weirder than what just happened. The CAT was the repsonse! * Nina blinks. But that wouldn't explain the numech. * Cliona shrugs again. "Maybe the numech was sent to kill you because you knew too much." She smirks wryly, in a way that shows she was joking. * Nina giggles. Nina-chan, super spy extrodanaire! But, seriously. Maybe we should go back to your place? Maybe the cat-thing is still there. * Cliona shurgs. "Worth a look." * Cliona slips outta the booth and walks over to the bar to pay her tab. Once that's taken care of she waves Nina after her and heads out the door. * Just after you leave, you notice a couple of heavily armed and armored military personnel enter the bar. They don't take any notice of you or Nina, though. * The rest of the trip is uneventful, and you make it back to your place. * Which has been ransacked, the door broken in, splintered into too-many-to-count pieces. * The TV is still intact, though, and it's acting 'funny'. * Cliona sighs... "Damn it. And I just cleaned up too." She walks over to the wall and tries to strighten out a halve ripped painting... * Nina gasps, then runs inside, digging through the wreckage. * Cliona wanders over to the TV and pokes a few buttons... * Nina finds something, and holds up a mostly burnt piece of paper, mournfully. * The 'funnyness' of the TV intensifies, then a clear image forms on it. * It's a tail, attached to a butt, wiggling around. Mutterings can be heard. My.... song.... * Nina sighs, and drops the piece of paper, then sees the TV. Oi. Oi. *me taps the screen a few times* Hey over there. You've got a cute butt and all, but what're you doing on my TV? Eh? Please say this is Cliona Crea! Pleasepleaseplease! Big Boss'll be mad if I mess up again! Yeah. o.o I'm Clio. Are you teh one responsible for sending that numech that messed my apartment up? * The butt, and the tail attached to it, move, a feline face taking it's place. Ah! No! That wasn't my fault! I'm really really sorry! Are you okay? Is the other girl okay? * Nina blinks, waving a hand in front of her face, trying to determine if it's really happening or not. Clio..... Do you see that too? She'll be fine. But why are you on my TV? * Cliona glances back at Nina and nods, "I see it..." Ah! Well, this was supposed to be a secure way to contact the ones who were picked but one of the tracking attempts must have succeeded. I'm just glad noone is hurt so far. Agh! I'll be so happy when Big Boss finally eradicates their stupid pompous better-than-thou logic circuits! * The feline figure on the TV blinks. But, right! On to business! * Cliona sighs and chuckles, crossing her arms patiently. I'm on your TV to tell you that you've won a spot in the elite mercenary strike force! We've picked you above all the others, based on your ability, background, and other stuff! Like bikini contests! But not bikini contests, really. So, do you want in? * Nina pouts, crossing her arms. Hmph. * Cliona shrugs. "What's it pay?" You mean you've not been waiting and praying from the moment you sent the email that you would get this blessed holy sacred position, that you don't want in just for the adventure and chances to blow stuff up beyond the law? Well, if you weren't, then there's money to go with it, too! Yes yes. I figured. How much? :P 500,000 just for showing up and listening to what we have to say, and more if you actually agree to stick it out! Because from the way you're describing it, you're gonn have to pay me alo- Holy shit. o.o Darm right I wanna do it. * Nina blinks again. Hey! You stupid cat thing! I want in, too! I'm Nina Okanbe, and I should have been picked! I got kidnapped for this stupid thing! Oh. Okay! You can come too! I'm sure Big Boss won't mind. Too much, anyways. * Cliona laughs and glances back at Nina. "Desparate for money, huh?" Besides, you know too much already, so you either have to join us or we kill you. =^_^= * The feline figure grins in a wide chesire smile. Probably joking. * Nina blanches a little. More like a lot. Right! So we're in agreement! Clio, Nina, you two get to go to the Berva Nine area, 126th floor! Good luck, and come hungry! * The TV clicks off. * Cliona shrugs and glances over at Nina. "Shall we go then?" * Nina blinks, wiping the shocked expression of her face. Uh... Well, if I don't, I die, right? How bad can it be? ...it -was- joking, right? * Cliona sighs and shakes her head. "Of course. No one does that anymore." * Cliona walks into her room and grabs her second laser pistol.. "Somehow I get the feeling I'll need this... * Nina sighs. I guess not. Well, I suppose.... * Nina eyes the weapon. Yeah. Let's go. * Cliona holtsers her gun and heads out the door. * With Nina following, you two make it to the aforementioned location. The thing of notice, when your get there, is the big lavish white mansion. And big. Did I mention it's big? It's opulence is an extreme contrast to the technological buildings that are -everywhere- else. * Nina just ...gawks. Y. Y... You go first, Clio! * Cliona blinks a few times in awe as she looks the mansion over and then blinks some more... "Well. Now we know why they can afford to pay us so much..." * Cliona pushes open the gate and heads up to the frot door, knocking on it rather loudly * Approaching the front double doors, you notice some trapdoors in the (supposedly) marble columns. Now that you notice it, you could swear there's a faint electronic hum, not unlike that of your pistols when on. * Cliona eyes the trapdoor warily but keep moving for the door to knock... * As you approach further, the trapdoors burst open, 2 figures rolling out in a perfectly syncronized manner. Thery're both weraing the same all-revealing helmet and nondescript uniform, and they both have weapons trained on you! (the tall one) Halt! (the fat one) State your identity! It's another girl. And look. Another one over there. Why all the girls? Is Big Boss starting a harem or something? You wish. Now shutup, let the lady speak. Godhand? Or Cliona? * Cliona drew her guns at the same moment the two burst out and currently has the pistols trained between the men's eyes. "Cliona Crea. That's Nina" She nods in the direction of the other gir * Nina waves happily. Okay. Good. No invasion yet. * Biggs and Wedge both relax, lowering their aim. Pleased to meetcha. If you will, you're expected inside, upstairs, to the left. Just follow the smell. * Nina approaches carefully, staying close to Clio. Now, if you'll excuse us.... * Biggs and Wedge both bow at the same time, and return to their previous hiding spots. * Cliona blinks a couple times and re holsters her guns, shaking her head. "Follow the smell?" * Cliona shrugs and pushes open the door, walking into the huge house * Once inside, it's still big. It's got old, expensive art draped on the walls, thick carpeting, dual circular staircases, the whole deal. * There's also a couple of people and mechs running back and forth, and you can smell a variety of foods in the direction of upstairs. Ooh.. That smells good. * Cliona lets her nose do the tracking and heads up the stairs toward where she smells the food. * You follow your nose! And end up in a dining hall! It's big. And long. And long. But not wide. Looks to seat about 200 or so. * You see several mechs and people sitting at the table, and there's a lot of food on the table, seems to be much more food than there is people to eat. * A tapping on your feet brings you notice of a 3 foot tall humanoid cat mech. Black, with a white underbelly, and appears to be the same figure that was on the TV. * Cliona blinks down at the neko-mech. Welcome! I hope your trip was fun! And I hope you came hungry! * Cliona grins. "I'm always hungry." Because tonight we feast! Go ahead, take a seat! You too, Nina! Make yourselves comfortable, the meal is about to start! [End]