Unknown (19 page)

Death folded his arms in front of him, "You must explain your choices to me." Anything at all, physical or information so long as he explained why he wanted it. Drake considered, "I accept."
 

Death grinned. "Your hour starts Now."
 

GESMAS
 

The job they took had been a simple in and out at a local museum. They had a week to scout this place's defenses and security measures. They, while nowhere near the best at what they did, were considered quite good by the sorts of people that had reason to call on people with their kind of skills. None of this, unfortunately, was any comfort to the three members of this group that were being fired on by a dozen different guards, chased by three different elementals that had just been summoned, and at least one Magi coordinating.
 

They were outnumbered, out-gunned, and knew it. The only people surprised when they attempted to flee were the police called on the scene, for none of the three involved wanted to spend any amount of time in prison. Not that running did them much good in the end.
 

 
Post-Operations Report
 

Supervising Officer:
David Sharp
 

Date Filed:
09 09 1878
 

Initial Call:
Disturbance at Northridge Museum of Computers and Electronics
 

Summery:
Patrol Vehicle #2267B preformed drive-by where suspect 1 as well
 

as escape vehicle were found parked by rear loading entrance. Suspect 1 was asked what he was doing parked after museum was closed to general public where suspect 1 attempted to explain to officer Wilks (Badge #6582P) that he was waiting for out of town friends that were due to arrive inside of a half hour. Officer Wilks accepted suspect 1's story and asked if there would be any problems if they waited there with them for their own safety. At this point suspect 1 became "uneasy and distracted" but agreed to officer Wilks's request. Ten minutes later Suspect's 2 and 3 exited building while being assaulted by Museum Security. Encounter ended with Suspect 1 running over the hood of Patrol Vehicle. At this point Wilks requested backup as well as medical assistance for two wounded guards.
 

Suspect 1's vehicle was located by Officer Watchdog moving at roughly 120mph down Leaf headed towards H-24. Three roadblocks were set at likeliest points between suspect's then current position and likeliest destination. Two of the three roadblocks were not in suspect's path and the third stopped suspect vehicle only after brief firefight between officer's on scene and all three suspects once their vehicle was disabled by Officer Watchdog (Badge #6682S) via summoned 'tar' elemental.
 

Suspect 2 was knocked unconscious after attempting to bite arresting officers. Once Suspect 2 was restrained both remaining suspects surrendered. Noteworthy is that all three suspects were armed with either inherently nonlethal weapons, or had used non-lethal gel rounds where guns were used. Museum uncooperative in inventory of what suspects attempted to steal. Artifacts found in Suspect 1's vehicle were returned. Judging by how suspects act there may be items that have been overlooked.
 

Suspect 1
 

Name:
Unknown
 

Aliases:
Justine Kristoff, Allen B. Shepherd, Richard T. Manning, Drake Carter
 

Race:
Human Caucasian
 

Gender:
Male
 

Hair:
Bald, presumed brown judging by facial hair
 

Eyes:
Green, Class
S
optical implants. Registration #451CQC99
 

Identifying marks:
Scarring on left wrist (presume inflicted by bladed weapon). Bullet wounds in right pectoral region, right calf, and left hand. Tattoo of a three pointed symbol on left pectoral. Size and coloration of tattoo possibly indicates gang affiliation, but matches nothing in local or regional databases. Aura, when photographed, is almost non-existent. When questioned on the matter subject is both aware of atypical aura and stated that he is 'dead' magically. Detailed transcription of conversation can be found on page ten.
 

Charges:
Vehicular Assault, Speeding, Resisting arrest, Destruction of Public Property, Public Endangerment, Possession of Unlicensed Weapons.
 

Notes:
Subject appears calm, though uncooperative. Repeatedly asked after accomplices condition, apparently has connection with the lamia we took into custody. Getaway vehicle is a heavily modified Xai-Pan, more commonly referred to as an 'urban assault vehicle'. Full inventory of getaway vehicle can be found on page seven. Attempts at matching genetic and aura resulted in being contacted by a
CNS
Col. Elly Starbride. Discussion was brief and one sided with Starbride informing me that subject has immunity and will be dealt with once he has been deported.
 

Suspect 2
 

Name:
Shelly Windsong
 

Aliases:
Stormwalker, Crystal Scales.
 

Race:
Lamia South Asian, possibly Western Pacific Hair: Green, cut short at shoulders
 

Eyes:
Green
 

Coloration:
Dark blue with green diamonds along back
 

Identifying Marks:
None
 

Charges:
Assault, Assaulting an Officer, Theft, Resisting Arrest, Destruction of privet property, Destruction of public property.
 

Notes:
Suspect turned violently hostile during restraint. Appears to be claustrophobic, or possibly just reacts worse than the other two at being confined. Was injured during arrest and was attended to by Healer Gerald Finch (#4417H). Judging by reaction from Suspect 1 there is likely an ongoing relationship between the two. Was contacted shortly after identity was confirmed by Windsong's family requesting her name and images be kept out of any official reports to media. Personal opinion is that their requests should be ignored. Fits description of 'Golden Serpent' jewelry thefts in late ‘77
 

Suspect 3
 

Name:
Unknown
 

Aliases:
Jenny, Shifter, ‘The Scarved One’
 

Race:
Human Oriental
 

Eyes:
Brown
 

Hair:
Black, thin braid extending to waist
 

Skin:
light brown
 

Identifying Marks:
Aura unusually active and consistent with multidimensional teleportation capabilities. To prevent subject from escaping she has been placed inside a multi-layered 'onion' ward.
 

Charges:
Resisting Arrest, Assault, Assaulting an officer.
 

Notes:
Suspects genetic and aura prints turned up no matches on local and regional databases. Clothing is custom, though appears manufactured rather than tailored. None of the identifying tags match known brands or sizing conventions. Suggest we keep her lack of identity from media in initial reports in case, like with suspect 1, she turns out to be military.
 

Accident Report
 

Supervising Officer:
Alex Goldeyes
 

Date Filed:
16 09 1878
 

Summery:
Following orders from Capt. Kamio prisoners were kept separated until transferred from local holding facilities to Mudloa till trial. Police Magi assisting in transfer were instructed to maintain active warding around suspects for fear that suspect #3 would be able to affect an escape, or gain access to means of escape through weapon, tools, or other summoned items. Transport vehicle left at 0800 without incident and followed pre-planned route until approx. 1042. At that point radio and empathic contact was lost for two minutes. When contact was reestablished all three prisoners were missing and escorting magi found unconscious but otherwise unharmed.
 

 
Roadblocks were called for at approx. 1100 as well as sweeps of astral space intersecting scene of the accident. At 1400 it was determined by Sarah Avery (#4426M) suspects fled this dimension, but the exact path is not known, and attempts to recreate the bridge used have so far ended unsuccessfully.
 

The odds of the trick working had been slim. Jenny laughed the moment that they exited between space and landed. Drake was too busy throwing up to notice anything, leaving Shelly as the sole member of their group staring at their surroundings. She had only found out their newest companion was a world jumper just before they made their move, else she would have pressed the woman to putting her more unusual talents to use in their raid. The end of her tail flicked in irritation. Want in one hand... They had escaped, that was the important thing for the moment.
 

"Drake?" Shelly knelt by her companion while eying him with concern. She knew a little of healing, so worked small magics, it was all she dare risk working in her condition. They had all been treated badly in one way or another, so all she could manage were small things without risking harm. He smiled at her tiredly before squeezing her hand with his.
 

Jenny eyed the two of them, then their surroundings. They were in a city of some sort, that was plain. It was modern enough to have electric street lamps and automobiles. Judging by their standards they landed in an upscale section of this place. It wouldn't do to have to answer questions right then, so with a sigh she put a hand on each of her companions.
 

Shift.
 

Guns pointed at them. Men, dazed at their sudden appearance aimed at them. Wouldn't do at all.
 

Shift.
 

They were in the midst of an inferno.
 

Shift.
 

Somewhere
 

Safe and
 

Secure.
 

Please, somewhere
 

Safe.
 

Lizard-men charging...
 

...Beggars half-mad swarmed over them with hunger in their eyes
 

...Elves drew swords when they interrupted their coronation ceremony
 

...Shelly's laughter at swiping the crowns of the Elvin Monarchs died when they saw hundred foot tall metal creatures striding towards them. "Jenny. Now would be a good time to get out of here."
 

Jenny's eyes were unfocused. Shelly could hear her chanting something under her breath in a low whisper. Drake tried to shake her senses loose, but she continued to focus on nothing at all.
 

"JENNY!" Shelly shrieked. The metal beings were almost on top of them. Guns drawn and speaking something that hurt Shelly and Drake's ears. She slapped Jenny. Hard. "We have to go!" One of these Titans fired at them...
 

Shift.
 

Jenny collapsed in a bed of flowers. Never mind that they were now in the proverbial Middle of Nowhere rather than back home. Nothing was exploding, on fire, trying to mob them, eat them, kill them, or jail them. Shelly, wide eyed and fearful, grabbed both her companions roughly and slithered towards a nearby cluster of trees.. It was hard on her because she rarely participated when hard labor was involved, but her kind had a natural amount of strength that surpassed most normal humans. That was the only reason they moved the way she wanted rather than stay out in the open.
 

It was their good fortune that they had moved, because something large, winged, and apparently predatory, landed a dozen paces where they had landed. Drake's eyes widened. He knew this creature. They all knew. Roc. Think of a large pterodactyl, or if you do not know what that is think of a dragon without scales, and with only as much intelligence as a hawk or other bird of prey. Now visualize that thing as being the size of a draft horse and give it a taste for meat. That is what Drake saw.
 

It sniffed the air and screamed defiantly at them. They stood perfectly still. It might smell where they had been, but they did not move, so it couldn't see them. It would have followed into the trees, but they were too close together for it to enter and not suffer claustrophobia. Every instinct in it's brain would scream that it was vulnerable with the trees so close that it could not take to the air at a moment's notice. It might wound or kill them, but it would be a target, and possibly fall prey to something on the ground. That made chasing them not worth the risk in it's animal mind. With another scream it launched itself into the air with powerful legs.
 

With the Roc gone they took a moment to consider risking another shift, or letting Jenny rest. It wasn't a hard choice to make really. Each shift took as much out of the Shifter as a full workout would Drake or Shelly. They sat, talked, congratulated themselves for getting out without having to hurt anyone too badly. Drake and Shelly did that, to be more accurate. Jenny slept.
 

"Shelly?" Drake had managed to find a limb that could serve as either a walking stick, or possibly a weapon, and started doing what he could to remove the unneeded branches, bark, and rough places with a sharp stone he had broken. "Do we even want to go back? I mean sure there's professionalism on the line. We said we'd deliver, and I'm not talking about cheating our
client out of what he'd already paid us for." His companion was busy looking up through the trees at the green sky and pink clouds of their temporary refuge. What could have made those colors in an environment fit for life to thrive in?