| From: | The Powerhouse <P.C.Steele@*********.AC.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | The last day <long> |
| Date: | Thu, 22 Sep 1994 19:33:41 +0100 |
>>>>>[ Ok, you guys ah've made contact with DragonEyes, he's running for
his
life and not trusting anyone, in particular the matrix. It took me a fraggin
long time to convince him that it really was me, fortunately that time that he
spent healing me taught me a few things about the guy that only close friends
could know. He's in the Zuni reservation like ah said before, he'll wait for
you, but he'll make contact with you, *not* the other way around. He's had some
major drek thrown on him, ah don't know how much is true but he's been attacked
by fraggin insect spirits and he reckons the Universal Brotherhood is behind it,
well that's a load of fraggin drek cause they're a drekkin humanitarian
organisation, frag it, they've even healed mah butt once or twice. Anyway,
the guy says he's got info for me later, he's had to fetch the chip with some
file on it from a secure place.
Right, as to where to meet him, there's a small town, Chernoyha, it's a one
horse, one bar type of town. Make sure no one is givin you a fraggin tail,
hang around in the town for a day and he'll meet you. ]<<<<<
-I.B.A. (**:**:**/**.**.**)
>>>>>[ Dante, you fragger, ah haven't forgotten about you !
]<<<<<
-I.B.A. (**:**:**/**.**.**)
***** PRIVATE : DragonEyes
>>>>>[
+++++ Initate virtual conferencing
+++++ Secure node .. 15 .. 28 .. 87 .. 99 .. 100 % Secure
IBA : You there Dragon man ?
<15 second pause>
DE : Yeah, I'm here. You sure this is untraceable, I can't risk anyone else
knowing my location at the present moment.
IBA : 100% secure and ah've a few frames keeping watch outside the node, not
to mention the fact that ah've tied the node sensors directly into mah deck.
Not even MONICA could get in here without mah knowing about it.
DE : Good. Listen the UB have been getting closer, they know that myself,
Blitzkrieg and Bruce know too much about their operation. We've got more data
at Doc Grizzles place but we know for a fact that that's being watched.
IBA : Hmm, sure, maybe it is the UB that's after you, but it's much more likely
that's someone else using the UB as a front. Maybe it's HAMMER, or Drake,
neither of them exactly close friends of yours are they ?
DE : No, frag it ! I know you've seen the insects before because when you were
healing from the venom in the Tiger Shapeshifter's claws you were delirous and
mentioned being attacked by a swarm and being saved by Noname and PH.
IBA : Frag it, yeah ok, Noname, it's been a drekkin long time since anyone
ever mentioned his name, or rather the lack of it. But anyway, so you're right
but that doesn't mean frag all, that was some company, Future Lives, that was
selling the opportunity to live for ever, just have your body go through this
special process and you've immortality, and if you remember they got sued to
high heaven when we blew up their base of operations. Mind, the insect side
of their operations never did see the light.
DE : Ok, so you think the UB is such a lovely cuddly organisation, I bet the
people who gave up their lives for the promise of immortality thought that
Future Lives was a lovely cuddly organisation. Let me tell you, the UB isn't
like that ! If it was, then why did a standard operation into the way they
run things suddenly invite a visit from insects ?
IBA : Well how the frag should ah know. Maybe HAMMER is in league with an
insect shaman, ah sure don't as hell know. Maybe you're right, maybe not.
Look, you said you had a file for me, want to download it so ah can see just
what the frag you're so worried about.
DE : Ok
+++++ Download UB.report multimedia format
DE : Got it ?
IBA : Captured and stored.
IBA : Ok, onto getting you out and into safety, if the UB really is hunting
for you ah can advise one safe place and that's in Seattle with me Punisher
and PH, though ah think that Crashkit needs someone healing real bad and he
doesn't have the cred to go DocWagon.
DE : Hmm I don't know, I really need to reach Blitz and Bruce and find out
what's happened to them. Could you start searching for them as well ?
IBA : <Sigh> Yeah ok, ah owe you that much, and more. Give me their details
and ah'll add it to the list of work that PH has got for me already with the
Star Financial thing.
DE : Star Financial ?
IBA : Aww, forget it. Just some crumy job with too many mysteries for ma
fraggin likin.
DE : Here's the data on Blitz and Bruce
+++++ Download b.&.b
IBA : You had it ready ? Ahm impressed.
DE : Well I thought I could talk you into accepting my request. Now listen
you ought to inform Crashkit and Vorien that two outlanders hit town today,
and from your description it's not them. Just let them know so they can avoid
them, but please no violence if you can help it. You know how much I abhore
violence of any kind.
IBA : Consider it done, I'll read through this file now then ah think ah'll see
what PH is up to, he's just brought Cerise back for a candlelit meal and ah've
vid camera concealed in most rooms and linked to part of ma deck setup.
DE : Leave them alone, they probably want privacy.
IBA : Yeah, but just think of all the fraggin fun ah can have by posting PH's
slushy comments to the Nexus.
DE : <sigh> I suppose it's pointless appealing to your better nature ?
IBA : Yep <grin>
DE : Ok, thanks for the help, don't forget to pass on the message to Crashkit
and Vorien. See you in Seattle if I live.
IBA : Good luck
DE : Thanks, I'll need it
+++++ End virtual conferencing session. ]<<<<<
-I.B.A (**:**:**/**.**.**)
***** PRIVATE : Crashkit, Vorien, Scourge
>>>>>[ More news for you guys, DragonEyes says there are two outlanders in
town, so be *real* careful when you get there. We don't want them iced now
do we :) Actually the Dragon man says he wants no violence, but me ah say,
what the frag, scrag the mothers. ]<<<<<
-I.B.A (**:**:**/**.**.**)
>>>>>[ Now then, I don't know how many of you know but Powerhouse and
Cerise
have been hotting things up again just recently. Well put it this way, from
the fraggin stupid way that PH has been behavin you'd have thought that he'd
fraggin won the lottery. Now for all of you mothers out there who still think
that PH is one cool dude cause he rides a Blitzen and wears snazy shades look
again, the poor little drekker had no idea, I installed vid cameras in every
room.
While you're watching the show, ah'll think ah'll catch up on a little light
readin.
+++++ Begin direct video download
The scene is an abandoned office in what appears to be part of a small block
of a once prosperous region of Redmond. That was before the crash of 29 and
all the businesses high tailed it out of there and left the area to the gangs
and violence that we all know so well.
The walls have been draped by a heavy looking black material that cuts out
the light from most of the windows, but the strong electric lights shining
down on an elegant but small dining table provide adequate lighting. To one
side a beautiful elven lady can be seen, long strawberry blonde hair and drop
dead gorgeous legs. She appears to be flicking through the channels of a
trideo, at one point she stops, looks over and shoulder and calls out.
Lady : Is dinner nearly ready PH, I'm hungry ?
PH : Nearly done Cerise, I'm just finishing off the sauce as I speak.
The lady, now identified as Cerise returns to the trideo.
A moment later a small (5'6") but heavily built black man appears in the
doorway, he's carrying a tablecloth and various pieces of cutlery and
condiments, which he proceeds to use in decorating the table. PH smiles at
Cerise, she smiles back and stands, the two embrace for a moment and then
enter a long and passionate kiss. Then Cerise pushes herself away, looks at
PH and speaks.
Cerise : Come on, enough time for that later <grin/wink>
PH smiles, lights the candles on the table, turns off the heavy light and
trideo and programs the music system to produce soft romantic music.
Cerise : Come on, I'm starving, <giggle>, it smells gorgeous, are you going
to tell me what it is yet ?
PH : Not yet, all in good time. Let's just say that's a recipe that's been in
the family for a long time.
PH returns to the kitchen carrying several pots which he places on the table,
then returns to the kitchen, Cerise takes a peak under one of the lids.
PH : Ah ah ahhh, keep you're fingers off till it's all ready, or you'll be
in trouble.
Cerise : <blushing> I didn't do anything !
PH returns with the remaining dishes and proceeds to dish up.
Cerise : Hmmm, that is gorgeous, 10 out of 10 for the smell, let's see what
it tastes like. .... Hmmm, .. , what is that, whatever it is it's gorgeous,
that's even better than the meal we had at the Purple Mirage last night. Ever
thought of leaving the shadows and becoming a cook <grin>.
PH : <smiling> Heh heh, glad you like it, but it's the only thing I can cook,
mum made sure I could do it perfectly, she despaired of all my other cooking
attempts, why do you think I live at restaurants and the stuffer ?
PH : One last thing.
PH returns to the kitchen and emerges with a bottle of champagne.
PH : I've been saving this for a special occasion and this is as special as
they're ever going to get. I picked this up in Paris, you know that time
you came with me, well I hid it under all the rest of the stuff so that you
couldn't see.
Cerise : <PH pouring wine> Hmmm, ravishing <grin>
The meal continues with general conversation, the two discuss old times and
old friends, of the friendship of Highlander and of some of the daft things
that he drove PH to do in the past. Of the way that Seattle has changed in
even a few years and the way that things seem to be going. Cerise speaks
little about her wishes and desires for her future life but listens and smiles
as PH outlines some of the things he'd like to do if he ever manages to leave
the shadows. Most of all though they speak about the fun the two have had
together and some of the heartache, especially when PH lost his memory and
became an unwilling assasin in the hands of a Carribean arms dealer. The
meal draws to an end with PH making joking comments about Cerise's waist line
if she ate any more, she indignantly denies being a little piggy and her
slim waist line she says proves that she's not.
The two share alot of fun and laughter, then as the two sit staring into
each others eyes
+++++ Nanosecond interrupt from IBA
Frag it, that file that DE gave me it's Koscher, the fraggin UB. Listen, you
guys and gals out there on the net have got to know about this information,
it's fraggin important.
+++++ Download UB.report multimedia format <background task>
+++++ Return to video camera
...staring into each others eyes through the flickering candlelight, they kiss,
long and even more passionate. Then PH pulls away, Cerise looks surprised
and looks at him. PH smiles and reaches into his pocket and pulls out a
small velvet lined box, he flicks it open with a finger, inside is a dazzling
diamond on a silvery gold ring. Cerise looks, stunned as PH gets on his knee
next to Cerise and takes the ring out of the box, looks at and then says ...
PH : <smiling> Cerise ... will you marry me ?
He then looks into her eyes and places the ring gently onto her finger, the
glitter of the orichalcum band catching the light of the candles. Cerise,
still looks stunned and stammers slightly ....
Cerise : I ... I .. don't know what to say
PH : Say yes
Cerise pauses looking at the ring and then at PH
+++++ ALERT !!! ALERT !!! Intruders
+++++ Deck only 70% operational
+++++ Download of file UB.report aborted 68.7% through
+++++ Switching to emergency procedures, all video camera images being routed
+++++ directly to the Nexus.
The view switches back, Cerise is still looking at PH with the ring on her
finger, suddenly there is a God almighty scream from the back of the house.
Both start with a jump as if awaken from a trance. PH looks up..
PH : God, that was IBA, he in trouble and he never screams when he hits black
ice.
PH runs to a door grabbing a very large sword as he goes and shrugging a
Predator II pistol from a fold in his shirt. Cerise follows close behind,
almost as fast glistening with arcane energy. Another scream sounds then
the sound of gunshots and a definate cry of 'PH !' The pair dash forward
kicking open a couple of doors before they reach the scene of carnage that
is in front of them.
The room is filled with alot of electrical equipment, or what used to be
electrical equipment as something or someone has smashed most of it up.
Kneeling on the floor desperately trying to put another clip into his gun is
IBA, all around him are 10 very large Wasp spirits. Before IBA finished one
of the things sends a massive serated claw at IBA's midsection, unable to
dodge he takes the blow in the gut severing through the ballistic vest worn
beneath his clothing. Yet before it get's to attack again it suddenly
disintegrates, stood in it's place is PH, sword in hand with a look strong
enough to kill.
PH : Cerise grab IBA and heal him. I'll deal with these.
Cerise : No, I'll stay and help
PH : Do it !!
Cerise stunned by the authority in PH's voice grabs IBA's body and disintegrates
a monstrosity with a spell.
PH : Get him outta here.
Cerise sensing no other course of action drags IBA's unconcious and dying
form out of the room. Two spirits disappear into whatever astral hell they
live in, then the battle begins.
From the outset it is clear that PH is fighting a loosing battle, his incredible
skill with the sword is balanced by the sheer speed and size of these mandible
chittering monstrosities, and their number sends the odds horribly against
him. PH however fights a valiant fight, he is attacked by 3 spirits at once
while the others manoever for position, yet he manages with swift slashings
and the superior reach of his sword to keep them at bay, even damaging one
of them. Others move into position to attack PH, outside a scream is heard, a
woman's voice. Then PH attacks, he chooses one directly infront seeking to
break out of the circle that spirits have placed him in, the insect fights
wildly meeting PH's every move with treachorously venomous claws, then he
strikes home, but too late, as the spirit he fought disappates another one
sends a horrible slice down the back of PH. Wounded and mad PH spins sending
a massive sweep of the sword at the midsection of the one that just attacked
him only to have another spirit attack his from another side. This one hit's
PH's left arm the bone and muscles are clearly seen as the left arm becomes
limp and begins to spew blood. The two handed sword suddenly heavier now
spins around again as PH swings with his good arm at the vile spirit that
just inflicted him his most recent injury. The blade bites and hews the
heads off a monstrosity, black ichor is spewed over the room before it
dissapated back to the astral. But behind another creation of evil has
manoevered it waits for the moment when PH has just beheaded a fell creature
then sends it's horrible claws in the direction of PH's back.
Suddenly there is silence, PH looks down at his midsection, a large barbed
claw protrudes from his belly, struggles but is only answered by an incessant
chittering from the remaining insects. Then with one gargantuan effort he
shifts his body round in one massive sweep, the sword supported only in his
right hand sweeps on a level arc with the neck of the creature that has speared
PH, the blade hits the neck and bites but the movement has been two much at
the same instant that the blade his the neck of the chittering monstrosity
the claw upon which he was impaled breaks free and cuts through PH's midesction
allowing PH to fall to the ground as the best looses it's head. There is a
thud as if almost in slow motion PH's body falls to the floor, he has been
cut open from his midsection to one side, guts trailing on the floor, PH is
dead ....
There is silence again, then one of the creatures sticks a large claw through
PH's chest checking that he is indeed dead. There is more chittering then
the spirits vanish leaving one behind for some unknown deed.
+++++ Camera switch
Outside a squatter approached an unconscious man and woman, the man looks badly
injured his breathing shallow. The woman's breathing is steadier though still
strained, the squatter looks at both their faces. Then at the ladies.
Squatter : Cerise ?
Cerise murmers, the squatter shakes Cerise.
Squatter : Cerise, wake up.
Cerise : What .. arrghh ! Get away <hands flicker slightly with arcane
energy but the effort is obviously a strain>.
Squatter : Cerise, it's me Blitzkrieg I was in the area and I heard gunfire,
I thought I'd find out what was happening.
Cerise : Blitzkrieg, Blitzkrieg .... PH !! You've got to get inside, help
PH, the spirits <passes out>
The squatter looks at her then dashes inside, he runs around checking several
rooms and along the way produces a HK227 and what looks like a smaller version
of PH's sword. In short time he reaches the room.
Blitzkrieg : My God ! <sees the remaining insect and PH's dead body, still
gripping his sword>
The insect advances, Blitz sends a few bursts into the creature and then
unsheathes his sword as he notices the tiny effect that it has upon the
creature. The battle starts in earnest, the two seem equally matched but
Blitz is fighting like a wild thing, he fights as though he was a cornered
rat, he get's 1, then 2 definate hits against the creature, it advances
forward then with a frenzied attack that made even Blitz's seem cultured
he slightly wounds Blitz and sends him flying to the floor, the sword goes
skittering from one hand hits the opposite wall. The creature chitters then
advances for the prone figure. Yet the survival instinct in Blitz must be
strong, he grabs for the nearest object and grabs PH's sword then as creature
is about to descend on him he hits, then again and again. The creature is
badly wounded and backs off which allows Blitz to regain his feet. He fights
like a wild man the sword seeming fluid in his hands and finishes with a massive
two handed thrust to the things midsection whereupon the thing disintegrates.
Blitzkrieg, slows down, then stops then pauses to take accound of the carnage
around him. Looking down at the body of The Powerhouse tears begin to form
in his eyes.
Blitzkrieg : My God, what will I tell Cerise. ]<<<<<
-I.B.A. (Transmission electronically relayed)
