[Cyberia] Re: Cyberia: Spirits in the Material World

[Cyberia GM]

Asha looked over Dot's shoulder as she continued.  "It would be unwise to go
after so- unique- a target from here.  Not only could the traffic bring
unwanted attention on my people, but the possible latency from going into
the deep ether could be deadly."  She finally caught Grey's eyes as she
finished, "We need a more direct link into the hub- like the one at Serenity
Towers."

Grey's face clouded as soon as Asha spoke the words, but it was Kayle that
spoke up.  "That's suicide Asha. Rook could barely handle it- how in the
world are you going to make it there?  You might as well be trying to hack
from Crown's core!"  Ignoring her wounds, she attempted to gesticulate, but
the motion brought her only pain as she winced.  "You can't do it!" she
finished emphatically, finally sitting on one of her own tables.

Asha shook her head as she responded to Kayle.  "It has to be done.  There's
no other way."  She looked to Grey and Dot, continuing.  "And it's not as
hopeless as it seems- else I wouldn't suggest it," she said, smiling
reassuringly.  "Rook left me his Merlin."

Grey's eyebrow raised slightly at this, as Asha continued for the sake of
those who didn't know what she referred to.  "An HK-Boeing Merlin, is a
vector-thrust, combat flyer built for recon and quick- strike missons.  It
was meant for exactly the run that we intend, especially with the broadcast
suite Rook had custom fitted into it.  The stealth suite should- will-
protect us long enough for Dot to do what she has to.  The MOSS defense
systems on the wall have been crippled from Rook's previous dabblings, and
now the wall is manned by only humans.  Enough to keep back the tide of
Geeks and Gorehounds, but not enough to detect us."

"Once we get close enough to the broadcast point at Serenity Towers, Dot can
jack into the Ether.  I'll stay near the surface- her anchor point to return
from Deep Ether.  With someone to monitor Serenity's security, we'll be
fine- it's a short run in any case. In, grab, and out."

"It seems that you've already thought this out," Grey said slowly, watching
carefully as Asha nodded, her hair irridescent in the light.  "Ok.  If Dot
agrees, I'll get my stuff and we can take off."

"Not this time," Asha said.  "It has to be a particular three.  Dot, myself,
and Shirow."

Grey's brow furrowed as he was silent for a long moment processing what Asha
had said.  Finally, he asked, "Why?"

"Suhuy was right- they are going to need one of us to go with them, but I
can't.  Shirow will be an acceptable substitute."

"But we haven't seen him for about as long as Rook,"  Grey objected.  "And
if he doesn't want to be found..."

"He knows the obligations of the Blood."

Grey looked quizzically at Asha as she began to sing- but what she sang was
nothing that should have been generated by a human mouth.  It was a
techno-beat with decidedly dour overtones; a tune that carried both the
pinnacle of hope and the depths of sorrow.

It was a songline.

The answer was not long in coming, though it seemed reluctantly given.  Asha
stood motionless for a long moment, then reached out her hand, pulling
through what seemed to be an apparition- something to frighten children as
they prepared to sleep at night with the tales of ghosties and ghoulies.
Dressed in tattered black rags covered by a cloak that seemed to shimmer as
it reflected the space behind it, the figure reached up towards the cloth
veiling it's face revealing an
asiatic man of indistinct age, with eyes that had seen too much over his
lifetime.  A huge rifle was in one hand, a plain black scabbard over his
back, but other than that, he carried nothing visible.  He bowed low to
Asha.

"Shirow," Grey said, his eyes narrowing as Asha returned the bow, slightly
shallower.

As he straightened, the demands of honour fulfilled, he looked around the
room, assessing everyone with a glance, his eyes missing nothing as he
catalogued all that was in the room.  Even in repose, there was a dark
violence about him that seemed inbred- one that was unsettling.

"Shirow, this is Dot.  She will be your charge, and I believe in keeping her
safe and helping her meet her goals, you can reach your own."  He said
nothing, merely regarding her with intense scrutiny.  "Dot, this is Shirow.
I believe that you have a lot in common, and can help him, even as he helps
you."

She regarded Shirow, even as she continued to talk to Dot.  "He is currently
pledged to me by bonds of loyalty, but I believe that what he is bound to
you by bonds transcend mere loyalty to Blood.  If you accept this, you will
have a more potent weapon than you can ever imagine."