Dúnmharfóir's Story

Time: YC123
Galaxy: Ayenee
Constellation: Unknown
Region: Unknown
System: Unknown
Security: Unknown

The room was cloaked in darkness. Faint light shown on great carved lions that sat like guardians at either side of the raise dais and throne. "My actions have yet to ignite their passion for battle. The fire must be stoked", said the male voice.

Another figure wrapped in an even darker shadow than the mere lack of light entered the room. The newcomer bowed their head and then spoke but the voice was modulated and thus the true sex of the newcomer could not be determined. "Why have I been called here? Do we have business", said the newcomer.

"Yes Dúnmharfóir we do have business. I require the death of a notable man. His name is Nobuo Takayama and he is the Emperor of the The Taiyou Empire of Greater Niihama", said the man upon the throne, pausing briefly before continuing. "I also wish his family dead but not his son, the Crown Prince Shimizu Takayama," he finished and waited for the assassin to speak.

The Dúnmharfóir did not answer right away. Perhaps the assassin was collecting all the required information that was needed to make a decision on the job. "The location is quite a distance. I take it you would provide the transportation?", questioned the assassin.

"The arrangements can be made easily", replied the man upon the throne.

"I would expect you know my fees for such a job?", questioned the assassin again.

"I do", nodded the man.

"I want double that sum and an additional five percent to the top for each family member that is killed. Upon me leaving this building and before I set of to Andromeda unmarked Corvinium bars of an amount equal in ISC value to my original fee will be deposited in my personal vault at the station orbiting the fifth planet and second moon in this system. I will collect the remainder when I return to Ayenee", countered the assassin.

The man upon the throne shifted slightly as if the proposition made him uneasy. He took some time to answer. "Very well. We have an accord. I shall send the information you need to your Neocom. Remember that Shimizu must not die.", the man said.

"Does it matter how the rest die?", the assassin replied.

"Make it bloody", the man said in answer and then folded his hands.

The assassin turned and exited the room, the doors shutting.

Someone watched the scene unfold from a nearby rooftop shrouded in shadow and a form fitting body suit that bent the light that may have given away his or her position. It had taken some time for the Dúnmharfóir to track down Aeka Takayama but the assassin had come such a long way already and did not expect anything about this job to be easy.

The murderer did not dwell on the fact that the Taiyou seemed to be attempting to take the life of their own princess. If Aeka managed to die at someone else's hand it would make no difference to the assassin. The contract only stated that the royal family with the exception of the crown prince must die and that CONCORD involvement must be staged. A Dúnmharfóir is no stranger to political intrigue and assassination plots. This was an everyday thing in Onyx.

Settling a level glare on Randin, Jegun was silent a moment. His eyes edging past the cop to Zach, he nodded faintly. "Get her topside. Xiv's waiting. High likely whatever she's got is stolen, so get your ass moving, and get these people clear."

With a solemn nod, Zach bent to the task of helping Motoko move Aeka, a sudden discipline enforced by the presence of the owner of the tavern, and the master of the Judicarius standing in the room. "Adam went out after that shit there." He jerked his head towards the Last.

"He hasn't shown back up yet."

The white haired man nodded, then went through a rapid self check, hands shifting to tap areas on his person. The visible touches were to the hilts of blades, but all too often it was a pat to something concealed. Satisfied, he reached under his coat, drawing forth a sizable revolver etched in archaic runes, the barrel to chamber stylized in that of a snarling wolf. The draconian Judicar's eyes narrowed slightly, knowing the weapon to not be Jegun's usual Gambit's watch firearm. One of the mercenary's Soulbringer magnums, it did much more than shoot bullets.

"Then I have overwatch. Ruin can find us if he's able, otherwise he'll help Molk and Tholk with clean up. Boys, you know the drill. Any of the rabble thinks this means we're weak, teach them the fuck otherwise. And stow that nuke."

The entities bowed acknowledgement, set out on their tasks. Bringing his attention back to Randin, his gaze was ice. "Now comes the hard part. Step up and look lively."

And as they made for the streets of the Undermarket, his final words were for the Last, on whom that frozen, frightening regard settled on in passing. "My man doesn't make it back, and you won't make it through the month. Get lost."

Sighing after Jegun left The Last gathered himself reaching into his pocket suddenly he pulls out a card setting it on whats left of the bar leaving a note on the bar saying 'for damages rendered' the card was actually worth much more then the damages but the Last didn't care. Standing up he dusts himself off, just because you're being spat on doesn't mean you have to spit back The Last thought to himself. Walking out he passes Motoko "i would offer my help but i assume you don't want some stranger helping you, i do wish you the best of luck if we ever cross paths again i hope it is under better circumstances" pausing to look at the unconscious Aeka "if she needs anything i mean anything i am in her debt".

Walking out of the bar he surveys the scene taking in the field of bodies and destruction The Last Closes his eyes breathing in the smell he could never quite get rid of, he then recalls his original destination before all this excitement now where was it again.........hmmmmmmmm.

Genevieve remained silent for the longest time, allowing the exchange to go on without her input. Despite her apparent nonchalance, her right hand rested on the .44 magnum snug in her hip holster. Strangers made her nervous, since trusting a stranger had put her in her current predicament. Her mind wandered for only a moment as she remembered that day ...

"Hi, I'm Mark." He smiled, showing off dimples and a row of pearly whites. "I'm new around here ... Could you give me directions to the library?"

"Sure," Genevieve could barely function as she spoke. "Follow this road to the second light, turn right and once you come to the fork, go right. It's the first building on the left." She couldn't help but smile back, he seemed so sweet. If only she had known ...

She brought her mind back to the present, turning toMotoko. "How can I help?"

"You're coming with us, then?" Randin looked between Zacariah and Lobos. That was good. Something told Randin that this fight was far from finished - Aeka was going to need all the protection she could get.

As he checked his weapon and prepared to go topside with the Judacarius detail and Motoko, Randin gave Genevieve Bordeaux a serious look. She wanted to help? After all they'd already put her through? Without having any personal attachments to Aeka whatsoever?

"I admire your courage, sai," Randin nodded towards the daemonus, "if you want to come with us, I'm not gonna stop you, but-" He gestured towards the warzone that the bar had become. "-I mean, it's dangerous. Are you really willing to risk your life for someone you don't even know?" There was no condescending warning in Randin's words; he spoke with the calm, ordered temperance of a man who is simply laying down the facts. While the detective didn't want to see anymore innocent lives lost in getting Aeka to safety, he also wanted to make sure that Genevieve knew exactly what she was getting herself into by offering her assistance.

Genevieve merely shrugged. "I have nothing left to lose, kid. Should I finally die after all these centuries, I would much rather die saving a life than running away from my own." She glanced to the battlefield before them, knowing too well the risks and dangers she was getting into.

"I will warn you, though, that if my company is accepted, there will be a risk of great danger. I have been running from something which could endanger the entire group. However, if we trust each other and work together, I believe we can handle it." She looked to the man called Randin, wanting to finally trust someone again. "What say you?"

It was finally when Motoko managed to free herself from helping with the Princess, that she turned to speak to Genevieve.

"Couldn't be any worse than what we're running from." She said, starting towards the door of the bar. "Let's go." She said, turning out towards the Undermarket.


"Let's make this nice and slow, and try not to attract any attention." She added, nodding to Randin.

"Kaye, take point, You; help them carry her out the door." Motoko said flatly. "When we reach the surface, we'll need to head about ten miles south of Fort Veritas, off the main highway."

Genevieve moved to assist in carrying the girl out the door. Should the demons of Tera manage to detect the small amount of magic she'd used earlier, her group would need to vacate the decimated bar speedily. "Ready when you are, people."

MEANWHILE AT THE WING CITY ENTRANCE ...

"She's not far from here, my leige," the younger demon told his superior. "Jen should be approximately fifteen miles South of here."

Mark observed his surroundings quietly for a moment. This was his first time leaving Terra, and his thoughts of granduer started to grow. Perhaps the Prince of Darkness might consider putting him in charge of this flourishing planet? He turned his attention to his minion. "You better be right about this. The sooner I have my favorite chew toy back, the less likely I'll kill at random."

The demon soldiers looked at each other nervously while the guide gulped, "Right this way, sir."

While Molk and Tholk started cleaning up the tavern, Zach worked with Genevieve to move the table to the door, inhaling deeply as he ran scents through draconian nostrils. Something seemed off, yet with Jegun around, the man was content to play defensively.

Jegun himself strode through a gap in the wall, ducking slightly. Holding his Soulbringer at the ready, the Judicar scanned the area, his gaze sweeping high as well as low. A rough place at any normal time, given the sudden violence unleashed, he noted the telltale signs of paranoia and suspicion in closed doors, bolted windows. The streets were empty of the usual bustle. And still his hackles rose.

Something's wrong.
"I know. Someone doesn't belong here."
Too many strangers here recently.

His mouth tightening its scowl at Kyriel's confirmation at his suspicions, he let Randin take the lead, his free hand loosening a blade in its sheath. Chill temperatures roiled around him, his influence of cold agitated.

The assassin's personal defense system cloak was neigh flawless. The killer stalked the prey and waited for the opportune moment to strike. Surprisingly the assassin would have had no guns and no visible weaponry in hand or stowed on body even if not under the cloak. The hunter waited, knowing that Aeka's guard was too much to contend with at this time. Patience would be needed. The opportunity would present itself eventually.

Genevieve helped move the table as best she could, as such an item was an awkward one to move. As she helped Zach steady the table, she peered down at Aeka. The poor girl's face was pale and still, stirring Genevieve to mentally say a small prayer for the girl. She called over her shoulder, "Which way are we headed? I mean, not to take the lead, but if we're going to avoid as much trouble as possible, shouldn't we take a less direct route out of the city?"

She shifted uncomfortably. The idea of Mark the Wise discovering and attacking the group plagued her mind. She hoped the girl could be taken care of before they ran into the likes of that maniac.

Randin nodded at Genevieve. "I'll stand with you then, sai. Come hell or high water, we face it together."

Taking point, Randin looked over his shoulder to ensure that the rest of the detail was prepped, and that Aeka was properly secured. "We make straight for the surface towards the transport. Once Aeka's loaded in, we'll head for Motoko's safehouse." He looked back at Lobos. "And on my father's face, I swear, you'll never see me again in this bar."

His hand trailed down to the magnum holstered in his side, his eyes flashing out into the deep dark beyond. The fighting had scattered much of the traffic in the Undermarket, leaving many of the crooked pathways and smoggy streets eerily silent. Though the Umibozu were gone, Randin couldn't shake the chill in his gut that told him something was wrong. He only hoped that whatever danger still hunted them could be stopped - and that no more blood would be shed in doing so.

He straightened his belt and lifted his feet.

"Alright then. Let's go."

Into the Undermarket they went.

"It's Genevieve, but I go by Jen," she told Randin. She shifted her arms slightly on the door/gurney just in case she needed to reach her weapon. She kept her eyes on the crowd, scanning for any familiar and unwanted faces. "It's amazing how it's as if a battle never even took place around here."

She listened carefully to Kusanagi explain where they needed to go. "I remember there being a sewer entrance down the next street to the right. Let's hurry."

MEANWHILE . . .

"Care to buy a nice pair o' shoes, gov'ner? It'd be a nice add to her lov'ly duds." A dirty saleswoman practically shoved the dusty leather shoes into Mark's face.

In response, he waved his hand in her direction, giving her a new incurable disease. She would die slow and in terrible pain as punishment for her annoyance. Mark and his lackeys passed through the Undermarket as best they could.

"Almost there, sir."

Mark had had enough. He took the energy reader from the young demon and with great speed, he pierced the heart of the host with his demon blade, killing both the host and the demon instantly. In the large crowd, nobody noticed the body crumpled to the ground.

As he read the scanner, he mumbled, "If you want something done right ..." He led the procession forward, not knowing he was passing Genevieve and her group at that very moment.

A few tense minutes later, and the sewer exit was before the group. As everyone made preparations to move, Jegun paused, a buckshot of implanted thoughts going through his mind. Flashes of a lycan he'd heard in passing, Marie? Maria? A familiar hammer laying in the dust. A symbol, and emblem. A known emblem.

He hissed an indrawn breath.

"Zach, continue on. I'll send Xiv to meet with you." Reaching down to his belt, he pulled off his pager, thumbing it on. Peering at it a moment, he spat a colorful curse, tossing the device on the tabletop. "Deal with that."

"Where are you going?"
"Off world. People stirring shit pots that make this look tame."

Turning his regard to Motoko and Randin, the man nodded. "Good luck, and be ready to catch one ugly bill from all this. That was my establishment shot to shit back there."

As Jegun strode back the way he'd come, Zach paused to snatch the pager, seeing the alert from Gabby on it. "Fuck me."

"Let's get a move on."

Making their way through the Undermarket, and inevitably towards the sewers, the group would find a fairly moderate trek out into Wing City's sewers.

Motoko looked back, and fourth, maybe she was checking to see if anyone was following the group, before she turned towards a tarp, and some metal paneling.

"Randin, watch my back." She ordered before she reached forward, wrapping her hands on the metal paneling an pulling it, and the tarp aside. Once the debris was pulled aside, it revealed a metal door with a shimmering blue keypad. The numerals of the keypad were likely alien to everyone but Randin and Motoko.



Motoko looked once more before she reached out and entered the seven digit code, one that had since been reprogrammed. Once the code had been entered, the metal door clacked as the latches within the door came undone, and the Major was able to turn the knob and open the door.

On the other side of the door was what looked like a train platform, and a single monorail car that sat silently on the tracks.

"Get her inside, and we can make our escape." She said, moving quickly to open the door to the side of the monorail, before looking to Genevieve.

"You'll be safe with us, help me get the Princess into the Monorail." She said, looking to the Judicars that accompanied.

"Your help is appreciated, but you don't have to carry on if you don't wish, we should be okay from here." Motoko added.

Randin kept watch as Motoko worked, his magnum drawn.He motioned for Genevieve ton bring the princess inside as the door slid open and turned towards the Judicarius detail.

"Once again, you have my thanks," he nodded, "and if we should ever meet topside, consider me in your debt."

He would follow whoever entered the safehouse inside.

Fenrias Halvard leaned against the entrance to a darkened alley. He watched the happenings of the Undermarket with keen eyes from the shadows as he searched for a potential mark or client.

Remy "Gambit" LeBeau straightened his coat as he noticed several suspicious patrons entering the market. This place had sure become popular since it was confirmed to have existed... damn those pesky news reporters! Wing City had always been a place of change, but... his precious respite!

Finishing up his transaction with the final vendor he'd come here to see, Gambit then began to make his way back towards his age-old home.