Midland, Texas, USA. There is a small, neatly kept house on 14th Street, unassuming and rather drab. Normally the house is used to sequester jurors and protect witnesses while waiting for their day in court. Today, it's used for another sort of protection: the safety on one teenage girl and her friends. (borrowed from yesterday, but it still makes a good scenepose, ne?)

So far, all has been quiet. Aside from Bowie, Texas Rangers Ken Lang (a late 30-something anglo human with cropped brown hair) and now Hank Montoya (another human in his mid-fourties, latino with short black hair) have been taking turns with guard duty. The former Ranger has been finally convinced to rest, so he's laid back on the couch, hat over his eyes, in a recharge cycle. Hank's taken up the window seat, angled in such a way he can see the street without being easily visible from outside.

[OOC] Bowie says, "An no, you don't want to know just how many favors I've called in. :)"

[OOC] Kalinka chuckles, and hugs. 8)

Kalinka has taken something of a fancy to Ranger Hank. She definitely has a soft spot for Latino guys...as her recent obsession with Derek Vasquez proved. Still limited in movement from the large cast on her shoulder, she nonetheless turns on the charm as best she can. "So what did you like taking in school, hmmm? I like chemistry." She peers out the window briefly and sighs. "I know why I cannot go outside...still, it is a nice evening. The moon is coming out."

Chill Snowcat lays on the ground on the floor nearest the air conditioner or fan. The feline appears to be sulking or something. He watches over Kalinka still not moving much after his repairs. A few sniffs in Kali's direction and he lays his head back down. The poor Rangers probably don't want Chill moving around much after he probably tried biting them when they put a hand too near Kali at first.

Hank has been friendly, and polite enough to not pay attention to the flirting. Being almost old enough to be her father could have something to do with that. "Chemistry, huh? I did okay in that. I was more of a math and physics guy, really." He glances up from the street to the moon. "Sure is. Usually it's a lot warmer than this. Looks like the moon will be full in the next couple a days."

Ken, meanwhile, comes in from the back door, having taken a walk/patrol outside. It's not a busy neighborhood, but then that would be why the local police department chose this house. Oh, and he has no hard feelings about Chill trying to remove a couple of his fingers. He was just doing his duty, and it wasn't like Bowie had had much time to explain. "All quiet on the Western front."

Kalinka waves cheerfully to Ken, as he comes in. "That is good -- hi, Mr. Lang. You know, I really, really do appreciate all of the help. I do not know why DeVry is all of a sudden bothering me again." Chill gets a sympathetic look. "I wish I could fix you more, Chilly, but my tools are back at the base..."

Chill Snowcat turns his head to look at Kalinka, "Long as yer feelin better Kali...I'm fine." He offers a little bit of a smile and tries to give the Rangers a pleasant look as an apology.

"No problem, Miss Kalinka," says Ken. "Anythang fer a friend." He walks though the kitchen into the living room, taking a seat on the chair. "Yer injury still bothering you, Snowcat?"

Hank chuckles. "Not like we had anything better to do, right Ken? 'Sides, it's nice to meet some of Bowie's new friends...thought it would've been nice to meet under better circumstances. No offense meant, Miss Kalinka." He stretches his arms, then lets them rest again. "And don't worry about Dr. Devry. We've just been itching for him to finally do something around here. See, right now he's out of our jurisdiction becuase he hasn't broken the law in Texas."

And Bowie continues to sleep.

Kalinka hmmms. "Well, he would be in quite a bit of trouble if he did try to cause problems here in Midland...especially if all of the Rangers are like you guys. How many Rangers are there?"

Chill Snowcat nods to the ranger, "I can't get cold enough. It damaged my refrigeration lines. I....welll I think they didn't realize how important the air conditioner was. So I gotta wait ta go home ta get a recharge. Among other things." He smiles again and looks to Kali, "do ya feel any better?"

Kalinka shrugs with her good shoulder. "I guess pretty well, but the broken bone is very painful still," she admits to Chill. "The doctor did prescribe a lot of pain drugs, but I do not like them. They make me feel funny."

Hank answers, "There's never more than a hundred and fifty of us in the Rangers. Of that, there's six of us stationed here in Midland. Though they're planning on stationing some more here, since El Paso isn't there anymore..." He trails off for a moment. Apparently Bowie's not the only one to have trouble talking about the lost city.

Ken nods, his expression sympathetic. "Yeah, Ah imagine ya weren't made fer Texas summers. If y'all need to stay much longer, Ah'll see about scarin up another air conditioner."

[OOC] Kalinka knows it's a matter of Texas pride, but -still-...seriously...there's a lot of great places in Texas. Dallas, Fort Stanton, Corpus Christi...but El Paso doesn't even come close to making the 'great places' list. 8)

Chill Snowcat nods, "Thanks. Is Bowie okay? I know he tends ta overwork himself."

Chill Snowcat shakily stands and limps over to Kalinka for a sniff and pet.

[OOC] Bowie explains, El Paso and Midland both are covered by Company E. So a good number of Rangers in this Company died. That's why they get choked up over it.

[OOC] Chill Snowcat says, "what happened to el paso?"

[OOC] Bowie says, "Got starblasted at the end of the pendant TP. Check the El Paso object in the room."

Kalinka giggles, petting Chill with her good hand. "I can sympathize with that, too...it is never this hot in Moscow, ever. It feels like the heat off of a metal pot!"

It's Ken's turn to chuckle. "An to thank we're having a cool spell. Normally it's in the hundreds this time a year." He follows the others into the kitchen. "Ah wouldn't wurry too much about Bowie. He works himself hard, but he knows his limits...most a the time."

Kalinka pouts a little bit, her eyelids fluttering as the pain meds begin to kick in. "*yawns*...I should sleep. Thank you again...all of you. This means a lot to me." She gives the Rangers and Chill a serious, meaningful look before heading slowly back to the bedroom. "Good night."

Chill Snowcat watches Kalinka go and starts to follow before frowning. "She....she should be okay....." He shakes his head apparently unsure of what he should be doing. He looks to Ken approaching and trying to rub his head under the man's hands.

Kalinka has disconnected.

"Sleep well, Miss Kalinka," says Hank as she heads for her room. Now less distracted, he returns to keeping a watchful eye on the street.

Ken seems a bit surprised by Chill wanting his head rubbbed. A bit like a housecat, he supposes. A big, ice-missle weilding housecat. He relents, and runs his fingers through Chill's headfur. "So, Bowie's habits haven't changed much, huh?"

Chill Snowcat shakes his head, "No...but would ya want him ta change?"

Ken says "Nah, Ah wouldn't. Miss having him around, actually. Though if he's joined you Hunters, who am Ah to argue?"

Chill Snowcat grins, "Hunters....the rangers of the Reploid world? I know I'd miss him terribly if he left. He's saved me on more then one occasion."

Ken says, "Hm. Never thought a it like that. Could just be." He smiles.

"That sounds like Bowie, all right," Hank interjects. "He's always keepin an eye out for everyone else." He pauses, then glances over at the others. "How is he doing, really? We heard something about him losing his memory."

Chill Snowcat frowns, "I...I haven't noticed. What were they sayin? I just thought that's just how Texans were and how he was programmed."

"Truth be told," says Ken, "Ah don't know how much of it's programming and how much of it's just him. Ah've known him off and on for...oh, five years? He's always been like that. Quiet but always keepin an eye out fer trouble. Good ol' reliable Bowie."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "*over the sound of group confusion* It's too late for a riot... What's going on here?"

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "What the... A flying.. shrubbery? Gentlemen and ladies, there's something not quite kosher going down in the Park around the Tower of London..."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Main Rigger transmits, "..A flying shrub? ...Check for a Quint if you ask me."

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "There're people rushing out of the Tower rather quickly.. and I think I smell blood.. and one of my brothers... and now I'm being bzzed by.. is that a Drache under all that?"

[Radio: (C) Hunter] Zero transmits, "...Yeah. I'm staying home. Bring me some fish n' chips from Rileys near Big Ben."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "Pardon me, but I thought it wise to report this since it's right in Repliforce's back yard. There seems to be some commotion around the Tower of London related to a modified Drache.. among other things..."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Sgt. Pallbearer transmits, "You're kidding me...."

Chill Snowcat smiles at Ken, "Least he has people who care fer him and watch out fer him. I'm glad he got me ta the hospital. That shot really messed me up."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Sgt. Pallbearer transmits, "....Nngh...On my way."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Jet Stingray growls faintly. "I'll be checking it out with a few other 'forcers."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "I rarely kid... People came pouring out of the Tower and then I was buzzed from a different direction entirely by a Drache modiefied to resemble.. a Shrubbery..."

[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Silo transmits, "I'll be ready for backup. Just call me if you need me."

Ken nods. "Midland General may not be on the same level as San An, but thay've got good doctors." Tired of standing, he scoots a chair out from the kitchen table and sits down. "Ah'm glad Bowie's doin all right. We were all right wurried 'bout him when he quit the Rangers."

<Global News Network> A man not unlike John Cleese begins his holiday tour droning. "And here in lovely Britain, we have gems, birds, traditions, and ugly tourists. Speaking of ugly tourists, here's one now. Tell me, what brings you here?" The announcer holds up the mic to a Wood Man, wearing a large overcoat, hair net over bad hair, and a necklace. He speaks in a bad middle-aged british woman's accent. "Well, we thought we'd see the diamonds being stolen!" The Cleesealike nods. "That's good!" "And we wanted to feed Zangief. He's just a growing plant, he is!" The camera zooms to behind the two, where a large ship is sending out tendrils, ensnaring and taking in birds that usually haunt the plaza. The Cleesealike gasps, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is terrible! A national treasure taken before our eyes!" Pepperpot Woodsy nods, "I blame Rock and Roll, meself."

Chill Snowcat starts shaking and pacing, "I'm gonna get him.....I swear it. If I ever catch him....." The feline growls. And without being on the broadband they might not realize why the cat is freaking out.

Because Bowie's player has that channel gagged, Ken obviously has no clue. "Whut's wrong, Snowcat?"

Chill Snowcat hisses and swipes at the air angrily. In a few moments he's panting heavily and his vents are open fullwide trying to cool off. "Elec man....He's always sayin stuff about me....I wanna get him and stop him but they told me I ain't allowed. It SUCKS!"

Ken stands up and walks over to the fridge. After a moment of rummaging in the freezer compartment, he tosses Chill a bag of ice. "Better calm down, Snowcat. Don't need ya overheatin on us. 'Sides, Ah imagine Miss Kalinka and Bowie need ya here right now, instead a runnin off to fight Elec Man."

Chill Snowcat nods and eats the bag of ice, bag and all. He moves over to the AC. "I'm sorry....He just makes me SOO mad."

Ken seems a bit surprised that the plastic bag gets snapped up along with the ice. Though seeing as how Chill's a reploid, it shouldn't hurt him, in theory. Or so that's what he tells himself. "It's all right. Lord knows thare's people that know how t'push mah buttons, so t'speak. And the Masters sure aren't friends of mine."

Chill Snowcat in moments the bag is hacked up much like a furball, completely in tact and dry luckily. All the water is gone from the bag.

Chill Snowcat looks miserable again, "Stupid coolant..."

O-kay. Now that surprises Ken and Hank both. "You all right?" Ken asks.

Chill Snowcat shakes his head, "I just don't feel well."

Ken asks, "Would a cold bath help?"

Chill Snowcat thinks about it, "Yeah...Yeah I think it should. I can't freeze it like I usually do."

Ken smiles. "Then why dontcha go have a bath? Hank an Ah can keep watch fer now."

[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Blizzard Wolf transmits, "phaugh! And I thought Byte left a bad taste in the mouth...."