Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "If you haven't looked at the news, you might want to... appears to be some Mav gone nuts in London... Heading there... are any RF units on their way?"
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "Great. Need backup?"
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "Don't know yet, Bowie... seems like it's a loner... I'm on my bike and nearly on the scene."
You enter the London - Business District.
London - Business District
Unfolding in all directions is the massive Business District of London. Corporate skyscrapers tower off the ground and a multitude of mega-hotels, specifically for those on business trips from other cities are all located here. The buildings in this district are unbelievably larger, as if each one is struggling to outdo the latter, stretching further into the atmosphere to touch Heaven itself. Beneath the omni-level highways and streets is the lower business district where less staggeringly huge buildings are located, where super stores and some malls can be found.
Hoverbike <Shiny> Hoplite Kodiak [M]
Ithaca The Bannock Building
North <N> leads to Teleportation Area--London.
East <E> leads to London - Northern Residential.
South <S> leads to London - Western Residential.
Stiletto Sterling has arrived.
Hoverbike <Shiny> has left.
Stiletto Sterling takes Hoverbike <Shiny>.
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "Gimme yer coordinates. Ah'll meet ya thare."
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "Alright... sending..."
Very few people is here, everybody escaped, a huge ursine reploid is running wild...or drunk, he is currently dealing with some police officers tring to negotiate with him, he says "If I don't get one million Klondike bars...I'll destroy the city, BURP!" the cops are still fine, but they feel pretty stupid dealing with such a situation, an officer says to another "Are you sure we can't just snipe him? Where are we gonna get what he wants?" the other officer shrugs...
The humming thrum of a hoverbike's engine emanates from way of the Teleporter, the sound steadily growing at a swift pace as a rather... shiny vehicle arrives on the scene, several meters above the street level, scanning and swiftly spotting the Maverick Ursine... for, only a Maverick would be depraved to do as much, in Stiletto's mind.
The back end of the hoverbike whips forwards as Stiletto air-brakes, side-wheeling it about while lifting his buster arm, the epicenter of the star-like patterned design over the end radiates a pinpoint of light, the commanding voice of the Shiny Hunter calling down towards the Ursine, "Disarm your weapons and lay on the pavement, now, Maverick, or I'll be forced to open fire."
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "Maverick sighted... seems to be an Ursine-animal model and quite unstable. Hope your back-up's coming soon, Bowie, because I think I'm going to need it."
As the Hunter arrives the police officers phews, they are still there but now they can focus on keeping people from palying hero, meanwhile Hoplite answers "Disharm?? Me Lance is not armed....me ishhhh armed...I'd lay on the pavement but...firitshhhht I want Klondike Bars...if you open fire...you may get burnt...hic..." he checks on his Lance as if he wanted to verify what the hunter said, being too drunk to realize what happened or what sort of trouble he putted himself in.
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Lighthawk XO Bowie transmits, "Hittin transporters now."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Signas transmits, "Be careful, Bowie - and let us know if things get out of hand."
"I will not further repeat myself, Maverick. Lay your lance on the pavement and deactivate any and all other weapons on your person before I am forced to do so for you in a much less civil manner." The levelled aim of his buster arm does not lower at all, remaining levelled on the Ursine, aiming directly towards its shoulder-joint, ready to fire should the Maverick decide to do anything funny, his objective to disable.
Long distance to Stiletto Sterling: Bowie staples your conn. Did you hear my radio?
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "Good, I'll stall him for time. He seems a bit disoriented/intoxicated."
Hoplite appears amused "HeHe...I would lay her...but she won't sleep anyway...heh...you are not intelligent...Lances can't sleep." the people behind the police baricades start laughing and yelling, a police officer screams "Don't make him Angry!!!" few are the ones really scared...at least as long they don't lay their eyes on the two corpses that caused all the panic...
The sound of another motorcycle joins the first, this one with a heavier rumble. Bowie has come as backup to Stilletto, and judging by the size of his frown, he is not in a good mood. His air cannon is already charging, though the noise is drowned out by the rumble to of the bike.
Stiletto Sterling sends a radio transmission to Bowie.
[Radio] Stiletto Sterling sends you a tightbeam radio transmission: "Alright, do crowd control... I'm going to try and get him to lower his weapons."
Stiletto Sterling receives a radio transmission from Bowie.
[Radio] You send Stiletto Sterling a direct message: "Right."
"...Set the lance down on the ground, as with any other weapons, /now/." Lifting his other hand up from the steering, he folds ihs digits, pointing upwards with fore and middle finger, making a circular motion back towards his arriving comrade while falling silent, likely subvocalizing a command.
Hoplite Kodiak gets angry with Stiletto "You jushhhht want to steal it don't you!!!??? If you are so happy in having it then...take it!!!" with that he executes a drunk-guy-spin and hurls the lance at Stiletto, but he is actually too drunk to have more than 20 percent of chances of hitting, but he tries anyway, he doesn't keep in mind that it may hurt him...
Hoplite Kodiak strikes Stiletto Sterling with his Javelin Lance attack.
Raffinato arrives from the London - Northern Residential.
Raffinato has arrived.
Bowie brings his bike to a halt about 50 yards from Stiletto and the drunken ursine-ploid and quickly dismounts. Though it appears that the London bobbys have crowd control mostly in hand, he moves to assist them, meanwhile asking them what's taken place in the past few minutes.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Stiletto? This nut after somethang, or jus drunk?"
The bulky lance glances off of Stiletto's armoring, the Shiny Hunter moving his arm to help strike it away after it bites against his armor with its point, doing minimal damage. Time to reciprocate, the Shiny Hunter's arm leveling its aim once more and the buster's epicenter emits a tight beam of laserlight, the energy beam coursing towards the offending Ursine. It seems the time for talking is over.
At that moment, raffinato, who has his hair done in an Afro, pulls up in a limo, with Lloyd as the driver. He quickly gets out and surveys the scene. "Oy, Hoplite! Your not drunk /again/ are you? You completely p***ed!" he shouts.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "He wants Klondike Bars... in other words, he's drunk."
Stiletto Sterling strikes Hoplite Kodiak with his Tight Beam attack.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "Looks like there's a newcomer, seems to know the dissident. Likely another Maverick, be careful, Bowie."
Raffinato notices the cowboy on the motorcycle. "Oh, 'ello there. You look like a Yank. I am afraid i can't let you double team him, oh no" he says in his British voice. he snaps his fingers "Lloyd! Bring the car here!" he commands. Lloyd screeches the wheels and brings the limo in front of Raffy, sort of a cover. Raffinato peeks out from the roof. "Ah HA! What will you do now?" he taunts.
Bowie assesses the situation, asks the bobbys to keep up with the traffic and civilian diversion, and takes off down the street. Is he running away? Not likely. On the corner is a convenience store, its employees already evacuated but the doors still standing open. Ignoring the other Maverick for the moment, he dashes inside.
Stiletto Sterling (Sti) pages: Would you need a +retreat for that, to see if Razzy can get in an attack while you're dashing away to the store?
Hoplite is indeed hit by the energy ray, and it hurts quite a bit, he screams in anger "Now you'we done it, HIC, your fuuuuneral, pal...Burp!" he starts running towards Stiletto, Lance raised ready to strike, but Hoplite is slow...reeeal slow.
Hoplite Kodiak strikes Stiletto Sterling with his Lance Charge attack.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Bowie transmits, "Good. Thay're in stock."
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "I hope you know what you're doing..."
The point of the lance strikes on into the hoverbike and in against the Shiny Hunter's calf, knocking the hoverbike aback a bit with the volition. Dismounting with a vault from his cycle, Stiletto lofts upwards, aiming with his forearm while at the apex of his upwards arch, light collecting 'bout the end of his buster in minute firefly light particles before a single orb of energy with starlight spikes roiling 'bout it launches down towards the Kodiak, his mind focused on the current conflict, though mildly concerned as to where his back-up went.
Stiletto Sterling has partially disconnected.
Stiletto Sterling strikes Hoplite Kodiak with his Starburst Shot attack.
Raffinato drops his jaw as he sees Bowie run into the store. His face turns red at the thought of being ignored. "WHAT!?! WHY ARE YOU RUNNING AWAY??? YOU-" and raffinato says something really insulting.
(New BB message (1/84) posted to 'Public' by Alpha: Re: The M3 Cliches List)
Raffinato strikes you with a glancing hit from his Taunt for 0 units of damage.
Bowie is temporarily disoriented by Raffinato's Taunt attack.
The Viking arrives from the Teleportation Area--London.
The Viking has arrived.
Bowie manages to get as far as just inside of the store, when he hears somone yell something unprintable, but involves him, Kalinka, and his mother (which technically he doesn't actually have) performing a rather impossible feat. He blinks, turns around, not exactly angry but certainly dumbfounded by what was just said.
[Radio: (B) H-Chat] Signas transmits, "Ah, something good is actually airing on the global channel today."
(And then Hoplite's connection dies.)
The Shiny Hunter agiley lands, looking back over his shoulder towards Kodiak as the larger reploid teeters and falls... didn't think he'd hit the guy that hard.... He blinks a moment, standing in disbelief.
Raffinato is about to blow up the store when he too sees Hoplite fall. His eyes pop and his jaw drops in disebelief. "Wh....he....WHAT THE HELL??? @#$&&! !#*^#4073 HE @#$^!!!!" he rants. His face is as red as a beet, and he turns to Lloyd. "LLOYD!!! DRAG HIM INTO THE LIMO!! /I/ Will HANDLE THIS!!!" he screams. He angrily pushes his wrist button and transforms into the huge armored being.
Raffinato changes into his TTA Armor armor.
Raffinato chrages up particles in the air on his chest, and with a scream of "YOSH!" fires the large blue beam at Bowie.
Raffinato
Raffinato strikes you with a minor hit from his Lethargic Laser for 10 units of damage.
Bowie spends too much time trying to make sense of the insult and not enough time dodging. He gets struck in the chest by the laser, some of the outer layers of his armor plating melting away. "greh..." Normally, he'd tell the Maverick to stand down, but since he already fired first, then the gunslinger chooses to return fire. He raises his air cannon, leveling it at the Maverick and his limo, and pulls the trigger.
You strike Raffinato with a glancing hit from your Whirlwind attack.
The whirlwind attack blows out the door doors on the left side of the car, along with the gold plated siding.
The Viking pops up out of a manhole and looks around a totally blank look on his face as the whirlwind whips past him, seemingly unruffled by the close encounter, he yells, "Hey anybody got the time and place? I'm not quite sure where I am...." the large cyborg shakes something out of his hair and then pulls himself up out of the manhole and kicks it shut....
Already beginning to level his arms towards the limo, he has no intent in making it easy for the Maverick duo to escape. Energy courses about the paired ends of his arms and pulses, grow in the intensity of light... Even while the newcomer appears from way of the manhole, this doesn't much deviate the Shiny Hunter's actions, as the cyborg has proven neither friend or foe, and the coursing paired beams of light roil and spiral towards the limo, the eruption of energies precise in their aim while striking for the escape vehicle.
Stiletto Sterling has partially disconnected.
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Jet Stingray can be heard yelling over what seems to be... rattling? "She.... G-gunna kill me!"
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Iris transmits, "Huh?"
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Jazz transmits, "Oh don't worry. Rigger and Jet are just acting like a couple on the beach. Never mind them. *Giggle*"
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "'forcers, there is a situation in London... seems mostly under control, but it's starting to get messy..."
(New BB message (1/85) posted to 'Public' by Raffinato: Scary man...)
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Andrew Creeves transmits, "Just give him a Klondike Bar."
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Iris transmits, "What kind of situation, Stiletto?"
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "That one's already down... there are other Mavs here to worry about."
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Andrew Creeves transmits, "I heard him mumbling for one on his radio frequancy."
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Andrew Creeves transmits, "Well, nuts."
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Iris transmits, "*sighs in a world-weary manner* On my way."
Iris arrives from the Teleportation Area--London.
Iris has arrived.
Andrew Creeves arrives from the Teleportation Area--London.
Andrew Creeves has arrived.
Stiletto Sterling sends a radio transmission to Iris.
Iris receives a radio transmission.
Raffinato shrieks as the blast hits his car. "NO, YOU LOONIES! THAT'S ME CAR!!! ME F***ING CAR!!!". The blast luckily blows off only a few bits of motor and most of the windshield. He quickly changes back into his non-combat form and jumps into the driver's seat before more damage can be made. He nervously shifts it into gear after turing the jey, then drives out of there....
Iris sends a radio transmission.
Stiletto Sterling receives a radio transmission from Iris.
Raffinato changes into his Unarmored armor.
Lloyd waves his hands after Raffy drives off without him, bit luckily turns on his jet-boots and flies away after him.
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Rigger transmits, "JAZZ."
Lloyd might see a dark, purple monstrosity descending from the sky...it's a dreadful-looking ride armor, none other than the Vanguard. If Lloyd wants to get out of there, he'd better do it soon.
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Stiletto Sterling transmits, "*mutters*"
Bowie steps back into the street, watching the limo speed off. At least the street's been cleared. "Ya wanna persue?" He shouts to Stiletto.
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Jazz transmits, "Hrm?"
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Rigger transmits, "Just ... just... chew your bubblegum."
Stiletto Sterling frowns a bit, lizard lips curling down, "Only to see that they leave town." He shoots a wary gaze on over towards the Viking, "Didn't you hear the police sirens? Disperse out of the area."
Stiletto Sterling has partially disconnected.
The Viking leaps up as the beam narrowly misses him, "Holy yimminy and yumpin' yehova! Stabbin' hobos!" he leaps for cover cursing them, "You'll never take me alive ye' crazy stabbin' b*stards!" with that he pulls out his dreaded switchblade axe and looks around crazilly....
[Radio: (E) Joint-Chat] Jazz transmits, "If you say so Ju.... Errr... Rigger."
Bowie turns his attention tot he apparently deluded individual, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "Calm down, sir. We're not here t'hurt ya."
...And the Vanguard draws ever-closer. A looming shadow, descending...
Within, Iris shakes her head as she surveys the area. "Give me a break, I got called for...this? Ugh. They probably want me to clean up the mess..."
The Viking randomly flails about screaming, "By the might of mein mighty blade 'Richard Nixon' I'll not let you stabbin' bastards take me alive! I'll carve ye all up like that chef on de telie-vision, Vervik's aboot to kick it up a notch, bam! ya betcha fer sure!" his swings are wide and barely miss a number of public structures....
Bowie stifles a sigh. "Sir, please, put yer axe down. The danger's over now. Please, calm down..."
Raffinato enters the Teleportation Area--London.
Raffinato has left.
Andrew Creeves just found out that it's actually IN his contract that he has to help out in a situation in a situation like this is he's close by, so he rearranged his shirt to that you could see the Interpol Logos on his suit's chestplate, and walks out to the street. He starts directing mobs. "Allright, people, please pay attention to me. We have a couple of Drunk Mavericks on the loose, but I'm sure if you panic quietly in that direction, you'll miss them by a few blocks." He gets all of 3 people to listen to him, and he facepalms. "I'm starting to see the downside of this job."
The Viking swings at Bowie but misses widely, "Don't ye be lyin' to me ya stabbin' hobo, you nearly killed me, I may be crazy but I'm stupid, and vhat did Vervik ever do to you, I t'ought you were supposed to protect dhe common man not blow his freakin' head ovv, so that proves that like the Vatican, the phone company, and the Pope, you must be part of the stabbin' hobo conspiracy!" he says all this, but he does lower his axe and eye them warily....
Terror Tarantula (Phobos) pages: Go ahead if you like. But, unless you have a problem with this, I mean to make him dodge and run away screaming about the stabbin' hobos....
You paged Terror Tarantula with 'Well, if he's calming down, I won't bother him further. :]'
"Ah'm sorry," Bowie apologizes. "Didn't see ya until it wus too late. 'Sides, didn't ya hear the sirens?" He has also lowered his weapons by now.
Iris brings the Vanguard down to street-level, and begins surveying the damage, taking photos and scans for evidence.
Andrew Creeves just ughs, and mentally fumbles through his suit's computer ... ah yes, the speakers he has in the suit. "Attention!" He yells, being amplified louder. "Please redirect your panicing away from this area in a calm or organized fasion, or else I can't guarantee your safety." Well, he isn't the most charasmic speaker, but it's still working a bit.
The Viking shakes his head, "Really though, with the disrespect you have for the safety of others I t'hough fer sure you vere vith dhat dern Doctor Willy, oh he is so de scurge o' the planet, I tell you vhat...." he folds up the switchblade axe and puts it away....
"Thankee, sir," says Bowie as the Viking puts his axe away. "An no, Ah'm with the Maverick Hunters. Looks like those Mavericks are long gone, so go on with whut ya were doin."
Iris is still surveying the damage in the background...she's leaving the Viking to the boys.
Andrew Creeves finally gives up, and starts walking towards the scene to see exactly what is up... and ends up seeing Iris. </convient plot device> "So, is the situation mostly under control?" He asks, looking at the Reploid-type person.
"Yeah, I think so," Iris radios Andrew as she moves the Vanguard to begin picking up broken chunks of nearby damaged buildings. "Thanks for coming in, though, I think these guys just hit and left really quick."
The Viking shakes his head, "So you're not with Doctor Hubert Willy? You betcha that's a lode of my mind, unless of course that's just what you want me to think, since a they're all deceptive b*stards, and b I think they're all a bit ashamed vhut mit him being 47 and still living in his mother's basement, from vhich he lauches his plans vor vorld domination, he vonce got as var as conquering the culdesack but he had to go home because it vas his bedtime, he stood at the windows making threats after that, but since he vas in his feety pajama's vith the bunny ears, it kinda lost the whole menacing effect you betcha fer sure...."
Andrew Creeves smirks. "Not a problem. They practicly ordred me to get out of the base and do something, as opposed to sitting around tracing the 'net." Andrew uses a small grapple on one of his wrist port wire thingies. Hurray for being like Omega Red. He idly studies the bit of concrete. "So, basicly, they just had a few too many drinks?" He looks around at the damage. He scoffs a bit. "Forget driving. Drinking and high explosives don't mix."
Bowie simply nods to the Viking's ramblings, drawing the conclusion that he may be delerious, though not so dangerous as to be needed to taken into custody for his own good.
The Viking backs away slowly until he's standing on top of the manhole, then he flips it open with a practiced gesture and dives in pulling it closed behind him....
"I couldn't tell you what happened here," Iris admits to Andrew. "But I'll bet it had to do with someone angry and crazy. That particular combination never bodes very well."
Bowie just shakes his head. Loony Brits. The gunslinger walks over to the Vanguard and the token Interpol representative. "Ya missed some Maverick snowbear an some guy in a limo," he tells them. 'Parently the bear got drunker than a skunk an got outta hand. The other feller drove by, yelled insults, an picked him up after he passed out."
"A...Maverick snowbear, and a guy in a limo," Iris repeats, then the Vanguard's head shakes. "This town is becoming more and more like New York every day! Well, I'll see about contacting the city workers and Repliforce contractors for damage repair. Thank you, guys!"
Andrew Creeves shakes his head. "Well, that's great." He looks at the piece he was holding, and puts it back. "Shall I go round up some people to act as witnesses, or do you guys have it?"
Bowie nods. "No trouble." He doesn't smile, but at least he doesn't be as despairing as he was the last time Iris saw him. Taking her thanks as a dismissal, he heads back for his bike and prepares to take off.
"I'll get crews on this stuff, so there's no worries, I have it taken care of." Iris says to Andrew. Bowie gets a wave, she's just relieved that he seems to be in better spirits than when she saw him in the bar.
(Some time later...)
Hunter HQ - Command Level
This deck once served as the command center of the Fort Sam Houston, and remains so today, restored and refit with the best in modern technology. Built in the shape of a broad semicircle, the command center's curved wall is dominated by sweeping observation windows- thick panels of reinforced glass ensuring durability while providing a panoramic and crystal-clear view of the surrounding tropical lagoon. An observation walk lining the inside of the windows offers an unobstructed approach to the view.
The room's focus, however, is the slightly raised platform in the middle, lined with consoles and computer banks, equipment to accomodate any need the Hunters may have. A matching host of monitors, displays and holo-projectors depend from the ceiling on heavy metal braces, within easy reach and view.
Michael Eildath [Standard] [MH]
West <W> leads to Hunter HQ - Teleporter Room.
North <N> leads to Hunter HQ - Meeting Room.
South <S> leads to Hunter HQ - War Room.
East <E> leads to Hunter HQ - Lift Station.
Bowie steps in from the teleporters. Nothing terribly remarkable about that.
Michael Eildath is reading The Drawing of the Three, musing over the book again, as it's the first time he's read it in years. He looks up, smiling slightly. "H'lo, Bowie."
"Howdy," Bowie answers, with no return smile. He walks over to an unused console and flops down in its chair. The screen flicks on and prompts for his login and password, which he provides.
Michael Eildath frowns worriedly, hiding it somewhat with his book as he flips another page, paying no attention to the story of a young junkie and the world's last gunslinger. Michael remains silent for the moment, watching his friend, wondering if he's going to talk, or if he'll have to broach the quiet.
Bowie seems to be in no hurry to broach the silence. His attention remains fixed on the screen as he starts to type up a report.
Michael Eildath lets Bowie type for a minute or two, pretending to read his book. He lets his do his report, if nothing else, mind wandering as he tries to decide what best to say.
============================ BB Post in Progress =============================
Group: Maverick Hunter
Title: AAR: London
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<Text Message. Allies may read.>
I was alerted to a disturbance in London in which an ursine-model reploid, presumed Maverick and extremely drunk, began raising a ruckus in the street. He demanded a million Klondike bars. Stiletto Sterling and I responded. Stiletto engaged the suspect while I went to aquire a number of the ice cream treats from a nearby convenience store as a diversion. I was interrupted by another person, possibly reploid or cyborg, riding in a limosine. He fired upon me, and I returned fire. Shortly thereafter, the ursine reploid passed out, the man in the limosine collected him and then sped off. No casualties, minor collateral damage to buildings in the area, major damage to the limosine. End report.
-Bowie
==============================================================================
You post your note about 'AAR: London' in group 'Maverick Hunter' as message #29
Bowie finishes tapping away, and then clicks 'send'. He's still shaking his head over the entire incident, but it still warrents a report.
Michael Eildath brings up the report on his monitor as it sends, raising an eyebrow at he scans it. "Klondike bars? They still make those?"
"Guess so," Bowie says with a shrug. He taps a few more keys, to bring up any reports he's missed. Not that he expects any.
Michael Eildath sighs. "Bowie, are you feeling okay?" Not that he doesn't /know/ the answer, but it has to be asked.
Bowie has been friends with Michael long enough to give him an honest answer. "No."
Michael Eildath nods, folding his book closed and setting it aside. "I didn't think so... would you like to talk about it? It might help."
Bowie leans back in his chair, his gaze wandering from the viewscreen to the window. "Ah don't know whut t'thank or whut t'do anymore."
Michael Eildath hrms, nodding quietly as he stands, walking over to the window. "I can sympathize, at least to some degree. I won't pretend to know what you're going through, but I've been through some hard times myself, so maybe I can help." He smiles helpfully. "Twila Peterson, one of the older Hunters, always got me talking when I was down... maybe it'll help you sort out your thoughts, too."
Bowie has never been one for talking, in spite of some people's best efforts. Even so, he decides to take his friend's offer. "Have ya ever been in love, Mike?" he asks.
Michael Eildath nods. "Yeah..." He sighs slightly. "Back before the war, when I was still a kid."
"Ah still love her," Bowie confesses quietly. "Meybe Ah've gone crazy. Ah dunno. But Ah still love her."
Michael Eildath nods. "I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Different situation maybe, but I still loved my brother when he joined Losstaret. It hurt, but it didn't change the way I feel." He looks at the lagoon for a moment. "Love is complicated... I mean, we've been trying to figure it out ever since we've been able to feel it, and we still don't understand it."
Bowie nods slowly. So he's not completely crazy. That brings some comfort, at least. "Ah guess Ah never realized jus how complicated it is, till now."
Michael Eildath turns, leaning against the windowsill as he watches his friend. "Love is a mess and a tangle... even though it's nice at the same time. If I could explain it any better, I would..."
Bowie doesn't meet his friends eyes, his gaze still on another windowpane. "She an Ah have talked. We want t'try an stay together if we can...Ah dunno if it's possible, but whut kinda person would Ah be if Ah didn't try?"
Michael Eildath nods. "Anything's possible, Bowie. Just because things have separated you on the paramilitary side doesn't mean you have to stay apart."
Bowie says "Ah know, but it's more than that." He closes his eyes for a moment, rubbing the bridge of his nose in an all-to-human gesture. "Whut she did goes against 'bout erry principle Ah've got. Lied t'me, too."
Michael Eildath nods. "She lied to all of us. I don't think anyone had any idea of what was going on."
Bowie frowns, lapsing into silence for a moment before continuing. "Told her that she needs t'show me Ah can trust her again."
Michael Eildath ohs. "I see..." He pauses for a moment. "Do you have any idea how she can do that? Can she at all?"
"Ah don't know," Bowie says, frustration creeping into his voice, "but it can't be much a relationship if thare's no trust in it."
Michael Eildath pulls himself fully onto the window's edge, looking at the floor. "I think I understand... and I don't know if there's anything I can do to really help. You love Kali, and you want to be able to trust her, I can tell that much... you just need to figure out how." He raps his fingers on the sill irritably. "There's gotta be some way..."
Bowie says "If thare is, Ah hope we can find it. But love's always supposed t'find a way, right?"
Michael Eildath nods, and smiles hopefully. "Love will find a way if you let it, yeah. I probably won't be easy, and it might hurt, but if you let it find a way, it will."
Bowie still can't bring himself to smile, but at least his face is no longer locked in a scowl. "Already learned that love hurts. Thank Ah can take a little more pain."
Michael Eildath grins. "There you go. You've got to... hmm... you've got to not let the bad drag you down... think about the good, and work in that direction. That sounds pretty flat, but I've never been that good at advice."
Bowie says "Yeah...now if Ah could jus get the rest a mah life in order..."
Michael Eildath nods. "You will. Trust me. Just remember that I'm here for you, Bowie. You're my friend, after all. Whenever you need to talk, or need help with something, feel free to talk to me about it."
Bowie seems dubious, but he nods nonetheless. "Jus feels like Ah'm stuck in one big knot right now."
Michael Eildath says, "I'd be surprised if you didn't, Bowie. This has everyone thrown for a loop. Things will untangle... eventually."
"Wish Ah had yer confidence," Bowie says.
Michael Eildath sighs slightly. "There I can't help. I can tell you to stay positive, but I can't make it happen. You've got to work for that end."
Bowie sighs, "I'm tryin, Mike, but it's not easy." His gaze lowers to the floor. "Miss Rigger's pretty much ferbidden me frum goin after any Striders."
Michael Eildath blinks. "Striders?" He seems a bit confused.
"Double wants a Stider cipher in exchange fer that infermation Ah wanted." Bowie shrugs. "Meybe she's right, an all Ah'd do is end up helpin the Mavericks."
Michael Eildath ohs. "Oh yeah... hrm..." He shrugs. "I couldn't say, really. I think Double with a Cipher would be high on my list of bad things, though. And there'd be no reason to trust any information he could give."
Bowie concedes, "Ah suppose not...if it weren't that he's the only possible source a infermation, Ah wouldn't a gone t'him in the first place."
Michael Eildath hrms, turning to look outside again. "There has to be another way... couldn't we get someone to hack into the Maverick Databases, see if the information's in there anywhere?"
"Suppose we could," says Bowie, that frown of his deepening. "Doubt Cyber Peacock would make it easy, though."
Michael Eildath says, "Definitely not. It might be worth the time, though... if we had someone around good enough at hacking to try it."
Bowie nods slowly. Unfortunately, their list of hackers is painfully short. "Ah imagine if we /could/ get access t'thair computers, thare'd be more usful infermation worth stealin than whut Ah want..."
Michael Eildath grins. "Maybe, but we could go after your information at the same time." He hrms. "Who'd be good enough to do it, though? I know the UN and Yakuza have really good hackers on their staff, but other than that there's only Number Man... and that would lead us right back to making a deal with the devil."
Bowie shakes his head. "Ah trust Nummer Man even less than Double." Which isn't saying much. "Ah dunno. Meybe Ah should talk with Prismatic Spider. Meybe, between King Dragon an Admiral, he knows some way a tellin..."
Michael Eildath says, "It's worth a shot. If nothing else, it's another lead to follow."
Bowie says "Ah'll ask him, then." He lapses into silence again for a moment. "Ah know Rock said it doesn't matter. But Ah want t'know, Mike."
Michael Eildath nods. "I'd want to know, too, whether or not it mattered."
"Ah'm tryin not t'thank about it too much, but it keeps naggin at me." He leans forward in his chair, laying his hands on the armrests. "One way or the other, Ah want it settled."
Stiletto Sterling arrives from the Hunter HQ - Lift Station.
Stiletto Sterling has arrived.
Michael Eildath nods again. "Understandable... let me know if you can work something out with Prismatic... if not, there may be some other options to explore, if I can get in touch with Brad."
"Ah will, Mike." Bowie logs out from the console and stands up. "Thank Ah'll go read fer a bit," he says as he walks over to the gravlift. "...an thankee fer listenin."
Michael Eildath nods. "No problem. Anything you need to talk, okay?"
"Okay," Bowie says, and then steps into the lift.
Michael Eildath waves, and smiles, though he's still worrying about his friend... worrying a /lot/.