For all those lovers of the original The Making of Nibs, here the latest and very definetly the best edit so far. I think most of you will agree this is tighter and the world truly lives.

Enjoy.

Chapter 1

Sitting in the living room of Damien Cameron’s home in Suraban, were Timaus, Damien and K Dog.
Timaus placed his mug of coffee down asking, “Do you think I should put Nicholas Calton forward for selection to the Academy?”
Damien stood, he walked to the window and said as he went, “Yeah, the work he did for us on that operation was excellent, and if that’s a sample of the work, Nicholas has the ability to do then yes. The only issue is how will he react to the truth about what is happening here?”
K Dog looked at Damien and then Timaus, after a second’s pause he said, “I think Nicholas will excel in the environment as long as we give him the training to defend himself, he may be fit but how strong is he and what are his fighting skills like?”
“Those I have an idea on already, they aren’t bad, and he uses short staves as his preferred close combat weapon,” he said.
“With that, I wouldn’t have a problem seconding your choice then,” replied K Dog before taking a mouth full of coffee.
“Right then I’ll send the email to the Selection committee and let them know to start the observation of Nicholas.”

*****

“You know selection for next years Academy intake is coming up in the near future Gaz?” Sarah lent back against the back of her leather office chair. In front of her was a four meter long desk. In the front left hand corner was a 27” LPD (Liquid Plasma Display) computer monitor, on the screen was a spinning wolf’s head encircled by the words ‘The Gangrel Gang — Let us be victorious by any means’. In front of the monitor was a wireless keyboard and mouse. On the opposite side of the desk was a PDU (Personal Data Unit) which was sat in its charger. The LED on the top was green which indicated it was on the Net waiting for Sarah to need it.
“Yeah I do and you thinking of forwarding a Gangrel Street Gang Unit or something?” replied Gaz while he went about sorting out a coffee for himself and Sarah.
“Yeah.” She sat forward and reached for the keyboard and mouse. She brought up the unit rosters of all the Gangrel Street Gang Units, scrolling to the line entry for the Bitch Vixens. She then pressed return the screen displayed the database entry for the Bitch Vixens. Listed on the screen were all the operations the unit had done since it joined the ranks of the Gangrels some 25 years ago. She scrolled done and stopped when the screen displayed the operations of the unit for the last four years.
“Which unit you planning of forwarding to the selection committee then?” asked Gaz as he walked to one of the three leather chairs in front of the desk.
“Bitch Vixens.”
Gaz smiled and nodded his head in an approving way, “Good choice, but are they ready to join the ranks of The Conspiracy, especially with what happened to Paul and Sandra’s mum and dad.”
“I think so. I think they will take the truth in their stride when they know the complete picture of what’s happening.”

*****

14th Juwar 2068 06:45AN
Nick walked down the stairs from the first floor of his family’s home, which was located in Central District, the main governmental and one of the main business districts of the city of Suraban, the capital of Surra. The two storey building was built on one of the standard patterns. Three bedrooms, one bathroom on the first floor and one large living room, that ran from the front to the back of the house, one kitchen and one dining room. Located on the left hand side of the house was a two car garage. The back door of the garage was beside the back door to the house. One of the family’s two cars was parked in the garage; it belonged to his mother, who was sat at the computer in the living room. His father was out on site sorting the last bits and pieces of the latest contract. He knew his mum and dad were heading to South Sea Metro and a security upgrade of a Bastal Technologies Production site there. With being a Three Major student he had been given a scholarship by the MegaCorporation Cyber Industries to attend one of the main colleges that had electronics and computer courses.
At this point he was not sure if he wanted to go. The scholarship would lead him to a well paid job as either a computer programmer or an electronics engineer, possibly a micro-electronics engineer. His time in Suraban he hadn’t been idle with just school work the corporate run high school threw at the students. He had been busy in a sideline business of upgrading home’s security systems. Rather than install a brand new system that the thieves more than likely knew, he upgraded the system already present. He knew instinctively that when a thief came looking for targets he would hit those houses with a security system he knew. His ideas and plans revolved around throwing the thief through a loop and presenting him with systems that he had no idea how to break as he would have never come across the system before. With Damien Cameron’s upgrade he had overlapped, improved, movement sensors the first activated a second set that was pointing at right angles to the first set, and it was this set that fired the actual alarm. It had been that overlap and the detection improvement, that had stopped, K-Dog and Cutters, two Street Ghosts Damien had asked to test the system. From that and the month he had spent researching the boring and dull stuff for Cameron’s Raiders. It included information on corporate finances, bios for main people within the corporate site the team was hitting Tiamus had upgraded his Associate Street Ghost listing to one of a Full Street Ghost. It included a proviso that Nick should be treated as an associate until he was 18, which was only a few weeks away now. Legally allowed to move out and become an independent person rather than needing his parent’s signature on the consent forms.
He walked towards the front door and realised that his posture was one of being depressed with life, which he shouldn’t be. The exams were finished, he was going to a party to celebrate and he was wearing a feminine crop top cum sport’s bra and a pair of high leg knickers. As he passed the coat hooks beside the door, he called to his mum, “I’m off out to the party I told you about. Don’t expect me home until tomorrow sometime mum.” He made the conscious effort of straightening his slouch and when he had he felt much better. He was happy at the fact school had finished. He thought, ‘Payback is going to be a real bitch,’ the tone was one of being evil as now the school couldn’t do a thing to stop him breaking a few bones of the main bullies at school. This was the main reason for the depression, the bullying from the footbaal team.
“Ok hun. Have fun tonight, and don’t get drunk,” his mum responded, turning from the work on finalising the report to the board of ATDS.
He thought, ‘Jacket or no jacket? Jacket,’ and he opened the front door. A few steps down the path leading from the house to the road, he turned and looked back at the house thinking, ‘I think this weekend will be the start of something new and a lot of fun. I wonder why Paul and Sandra invited me to the party, they know I have nothing even comes close to the clothes they wear.’ He went back to facing forward and started the short walk to the bus stop heading for South Central 6 Plaza Bus Station.

*****

Sat in a living room was a group of four young people, three females and one male all dressed in black baggies and various dark tops and t-shirts, all of them had logos of bands famous in the rock scene. They were smoking pure Cambar cigarettes and drinking large glasses of Cabilla, a dark coloured fizzy soft drink. The living room was roughly 8metres wide by 9metres long. The front of the room was a split kitchenette with a breakfast come eating area sticking out into the room. The room had on the far wall a computer area, beside which was an open fire place with small flames licking around a couple of pieces of pallet wood. Sat beside the fire was a pile of more wood. In front of the fire were a couple of arm chairs. The male was sitting in the one closest to main seating area, which consisted of two large piles of large cushions and bean bags and two three seater sofas. In the middle was a low coffee table The three females were sat with one sitting on the sofa against the wall of the bedrooms, the other two were sat on top of the pile of cushions against the back wall.
“Sandra.” Paul looked at Sandra, who had shoulder length dark red hair.
“Yes Paul,” Sandra replied
“Do you think Nick will come tonight?”
“I hope so, I think tonight he finds out that he has a lot more friends than he thought he had.” ‘I do hope you come Nick, please come, as even if you aren’t the person I think you are, I want to show you a good time before you leave Suraban.’
“So how are we going to make sure he knows where to come?” asked Abs looking at her.
“I sent him an email with the local area map, but we all know what 76th Street is like, and that’s where you two come in Tina, Abs.” Sandra took a drag from the Cambar cigarette and turned to face the pair. “He said he would be arriving at the pub around 07:30AN and with where he lives I would say about 07:20 he’s going to be getting off the bus from Central district. Basically you two meet him somewhere near the bus-station and escort him to the pub.”
Tina took a mouthful from the glass and said after placing it back on the coffee table. “What makes you so sure he will come tonight, he’s lived the corporate life for all his life. What makes you think he’s going to want to stay and live on this side of the street.”
“Gut instinct,” she replied.
The front door opened and in walked a group of five, three females and two males all of them looking and acting in a happy mood.
Abs called, “Hi Darla, Angel, Damieel. Oh hi Mike, Wayne, how’s things with you two.”
“Better,” replied Wayne as he took off his leather jacket and went to hang it up in the corridor that led to the bedrooms and bathroom. “Mike told his father about me and was pleasantly surprised weren’t you Mike.”
“Yeah, he’s ok with it as long as I don’t flaunt it around him, which I don’t as I spend more time at the South Central Sharks Home Base than I do at home. Thanks for the invite.”
“Hay your welcome man,” replied Tina smiling. “You still not signed on the dotted line then.”
“No, I’m waiting until I’m 18 in a couple of months before I make the jump. Let’s just say dad is not likely to understand my choice this time, but at the first Gathering following, Wayne is going to introduce me and then I am going to command for Basic Training when the Sharks has two more members in addition to me.”
Sandra looked at the pair and saw the love of partners in their eyes, she smiled at the fact two good friends were going to spend the rest of their lives together.
“You’ll enjoy the thirteen weeks. Basic Training is an adventure all of its own,” said Wayne.
“We should be heading to the pub now, remember Tom is also coming and we said we would meet him at the pub as well as a few others,” said Paul standing up and heading for his bedroom so he could collect his jacket and shoulder holster rig.
Sandra, Abs and Tina all followed him so they too could collect their jackets and shoulder holster rigs from the other two bedrooms.

*****

Nick turned on to the road that ran in front of the house. The road was classified as a secondary road with a speed limit of 40mph, the main roads had a speed limit of 50mph but there was a lot of traffic lights which kept slowing the traffic as other roads joined and left. On both sides of the roads where single evenly spaced holes in the pavement from which grew either Sweet Fudam(Fu-dam) or Mardoshan(Mar-dosh-an) trees. The houses that lined the road on both sides looked the same as the one Nick had just left. Some had cars sat outside the garages, other homes had garden furniture, some had flowers in small beds around the edge of the lawns. His home had nothing like that as he had only arrived ten months earlier from Ne-U-Bar.
He had enjoyed the time he had spent in Ne-U-Bar especially the time he had spent with Uthura learning the combat form of Lappellr, that and the training he had had from Cubbadar and Sensei Hume meant that at could survive fights and hand the attackers their arses rather than have them hand him his. It would have come as a shock to all of the bullies in the school that he was more than capable of handling more than one attacker at once. He also understood it would not look very good if he had broken some bones, as the school thought the sun shone out of the footbaal team’s arses. This was due massively to the time he had spent with Wong-Ma and Jum-Fu in Teabban. That period in his life was the best, those two had been brilliant friends and the training Sensei Hume had given them had given him a founding in not only the martial arts but the world of street fighting. He fought the honourable combat; one on one, no holds barred street fighting, that’s until more than one fighter got involved, then the velvet gloves he would have been fighting in would come off and god help the attackers. He knew that he was more than capable of ramming his fist right through a human, but he controlled his massive strength through martial arts discipline. He had also noticed that his hearing, sight and sense of smell were also improving. He was capable to seeing detail in things at a far greater distance than anyone else, and he was defiantly reacting faster than nearly everyone including some professional Street Ghosts and they had modifications like wired reflexes.
As he walked up the road to the bus stop he carried his jacket, smiling as he walked, the sun was warm and the sky was a light blue, off to the east the sky was getting a little darker as evening drew on. He reached the bus-stop at the end of the road where it joined another secondary road that he walked along everyday he had attended school here in Suraban. Waiting at the bus-stop were two women, both of them wore clothes people wore working for the corporations. The bus-stop was one that had had a cover and a three line information board hanging from the roof. He looked up at the sign which was indicating the arrival times for the next three buses. After looking down the list, the last item displayed was the bus he wanted. It would take him to South Central 6 Plaza bus station. The arrival time indicated it was due in five minutes. ‘I think tonight will be fun, and who knows,’ a subtle smile growing on his lips. He watched the two women standing in front of him and saw that they both looked like they had just finished work for the week and were looking forward to the weekend off. The second one in the queue saw the bus she wanted and moved out from under the shelter so she could stick her hand out and let the driver know he had a pick up to make. The bus slowed and stopped right in front of the woman. The doors opened allowing her on, she paid the bus driver the cost of the ticket she needed and the door hissed closed. A couple of minutes later he saw the single decker bus he wanted. He too moved from under the shelter and stuck his right hand out.
The driver slowed and stopped the bus almost in front of him. The doors hissed open to allow both Nick and a second man to enter. He had arrived just as the bus slowed and pulled up.
He dropped the two decks for the ticket into the hopper, the machine then buzzed and the ticket appeared out of the machine. He took the ticket, after it was printed, and moved down the bus to a free pair of seats where he sat so he could look out of the window. The bus was one of the standard designs with 54 seats, space for 12 people to stand or six people standing and two wheel chairs. The inside of the bus was painted the same colour as the outside, a light midnight blue, on the curve of the roof coming down to meet the windows were various posters advertising local shops, services and special offers the bus company had on offer. He took out his digital player’s wireless headphones and stuck one into each ear, the player followed and he pressed the play button, then pressed the forward button until 'To Lovers Heaven Giths Go' by Dark Legion. He knew that he would have to go and see Dark Legion play, he had never been to a MegaBand Gig, and Dark Legion is one of those, one of the biggest MegaBands. At the front of the bus on the boarding behind the driver was the route the bus took. He looked at the route and counted the number of stops before the bus-station and saw that he had 25 stops as the bus first went north and at the border of North Central District it turned south and the stop Nick wanted was South Central Six Plaza Bus-station.
As the bus headed on its route he looked out of the window at the houses, office blocks, and the various corporate run shops and boutiques. He thought, ‘Was this night and party the start of a new page in his life. Will I be in control of my life or will things over take me. Who knows, but I bet it will be fun finding out.’

*****

In a darkened alley near the bus-station exit stood Tina and Abs. They both were waiting for the bus carrying Nick to arrive. Abs looked at her mobile and saw the time was 07.18AN. After putting it away she dropped her Coltanar 2-6 Machine Pistol and checked the magazine and the breech. “It should be here soon.”
“Good.” Tina was making a point of having her jacket open slightly and the bulge under her arm of the shoulder holster rig as very obvious to those who looked at the pair.
As the bus that came from Central Main bus-station turned into the entrance Tina said, “There it is.” Tina closely looked at the bus and saw Nick was standing near the front waiting for the bus to stop. Tina closed the zip a bit more and shifted her Theaban 44 Heavy Automatic so it was less obvious. Tina smiled at her life partner Abs as she watched the passengers exit the bus station.

*****

As the bus approached South Central 6 Plaza bus-station Nick stood, pressing the bell to indicate someone wanted to get off at the next stop. He said, “Thanks mate,” to the bus driver as he was the last to leave the bus and the driver closed the door pulling away heading for the exit and its next stop. He took out his PDU and checked the map Sandra, the friend who had invited him to the party a couple of weeks earlier, had sent him in an email reminding him of the party. She was known as a Gangrel in school as she wore black or dark coloured clothes and lighter than normal makeup with contrasting dark and rich colours, mainly reds, blues and violets. This surprised him as around the rest of the world he had seen people who dressed in the same way and they called themselves Giths.
He pressed the stop button on his Digital Player and removed the earphones as he walked out of the passenger exit of the bus station and turned down 76th Street. The street was lined with small shops belonging to small companies and sole traders trying to survive against the massive buying and selling power of the MegaCorporations. Every so often a shop frontage was boarded up against squatters and the like. The road and payment on both sides of the street were dirty, unkempt, sticking up through the tarmac and in places slabs were various trees. From what he could see Attarbar(At-tar-bar), Common Brattiss(Brat-tiss) and Zurbark(Zur-a-bark) Oaks where most numerous. The pavement and road itself was filled with pot holes and broken tarmac. A couple of old beat up cars drove past him heading down the road to the main street that ran at forty five degrees to 76th street. More old and beat up cars were parked on the side of the roads, some had people leaning up against them. He guessed that the people were selling some form of illegal drug or black market items. The contrast between the two Districts hit him hard, he had seen slums in other cities, but never this close to main governmental districts. The bus ride running down from the north of Central nearly the entire ride was through Corporate Enclaves. As the bus approached the borders the difference in the condition of the housing, apartment blocks and tenement buildings slowly changed from being pristine on the enclaves to more run down and dilapidated.
As he walked down the road towards the main road he neither looked at the people or did he spend time wondering about them. His senses were at a very much heightened level as he wanted to be able to react to a threat before that threat became a problem. His plan should it happen would be to stop, face the problem and effectively stare the person down, using his clenched fists as a signal that he was ready to fight.

Tina looked at how Nick held himself, thinking, ‘I wonder about Nick’s upbringing. He looks like he knows how to fight. Interesting. I wonder what else we don’t know about you Nick. I think Sandra’s idea of inviting you to join may pan out better than we initially thought.’

Fifty metres from the exit he bumped into two girls he had seen hanging around with Paul and Sandra. Nick looked at the pair seeing that the left one was wearing black baggies and a t-shirt with a wolf’s head and the words Gangrel Street Gang. Over the top was a leather jacket, the zip was just over a third of the way closed. Her face was oval in shape but she had friendly hazel eyes and a pleasant smile, her hair was shoulder length and brown. She said, “Hi, I’m Tina and this is Abs. Sandra asked us to meet you as she is waiting for a couple of other people to arrive at a local pub.” He heard a male sounding voice, not a female one as would the clothes and the pair of breasts would indicate.
Abs was wearing a similar pair of baggies, a Dark Legion top and like Tina a leather jacket except Abs had two buttons done up. Her hair was matt black and platted all the way to her waist. They were both wearing a similar style pouches on their left hips.
As the three walked, he looked a little more closely at the pair and even though they both were wearing leather jackets he swore they both had budges just under their left arm pits and the right hand side had similar lumps.

*****

After walking and small talking with the pair they arrived at a set of stairs leading down to the basement of an old tenement block built of bricks and mortar. The window frames were of the new materials toughened environment resistant plastic; which meant in most people’s books, it was good at keeping out the weather, but utterly crap at keeping out bullets and shrapnel from grenades and similar. The block still had all its windows intact and looked as if it was being looked after by the inhabitants as the front door, which was up two steps, had a fresh coat of paint on and the walls were white washed. And the railings that protected the steps down also had a fresh coat of paint and looked newish compared to the rest of the metal work in the area.
“Here we are,” said Tina turning down the steps heading into the basement of the tenement block.
He then Abs followed Tina down the ten concrete steps which led to the front door of the pub. The door was painted red and had small windows each side. Tina opened the door, and stepped inside. Inside Tina held the door open for both him and Abs to enter.
Upon entering he saw Sandra and Paul sitting at one of the tables along with eight more people, some he had seen hanging around with the Paul and Sandra. The walls of the main tap room were lined with what looked like Oraka panels, but, from the neighbourhood, it was likely fake or laminated. The rest of the fixtures, which were made from natural wood, turned it from an underground bar into an old style pub of the mid 1900AM(After Meteorite). The rest of the cliental looked like good people. Most of them kept to themselves quietly chatting away about life, loves and work.
The three walked towards the bar where he ordered a pint a Caferras; an alcoholic drink that originated from the country of Eban. Tina and Abs then ordered a pint of Cabilla, each. Standing at the bar he watched the barman pour the three drinks. He looked happy to be working behind the bar serving customers. He thought he knew why, and from the way the people, who used the bar, looked it wasn’t the normal one of ‘At least I have a job and an earning a little money’ it was one of more general happiness at being there, making sure friends and the customers had a good service.
The barman placed his Caferras on the bar asking, “Three decks, please?”
He handed the barman three deck coins, picked up the glass and turned to face the group he was meeting before going to the main party. They where sat a few feet away in the middle of the taproom.
He saw Tom sitting with the friends from school. He was happy at the fact Tom had come as he knew from stories he had overheard Tom had been the main target for the bullies since they had arrived at the school two years earlier. Tom wasn’t big in size, but he knew Tom had an intellect that few people realised he had.
After taking a mouthful of lager, Tom looked up happy at the fact he had been able to find the bar and had made it in one piece. Tom called, “Hey Nick.”
He approached the group carrying his glass, he looked around and saw a spare wooden chair under an empty table nearby and grabbed it. He moved the chair so it was close to the group, sitting down after a couple of the people had made room in the circle. He placed the glass down on the table and turned to face Tom. “Hi Tom, good to see you here. At least I’m not the only person out of place. Anyway I thought you weren’t going to make it?”
“No. I put my foot down and walked out. I needed a party to celebrate the last exam and not having to go back after I give the books I borrowed back, which I’ll do on Moroth.”
Paul looked at where Nick was sitting saying, “Hello Nick, it’s good to see you made the party.”
“Yeah hi Nicki.” Sandra turned smiling, with both her mouth and eyes, to look at him, saying when Tina and Abs had approached carrying their glasses of Cabilla, “Hi you two.”
He heard Sandra say, ‘Nicki’, but decided to make nothing of it, shrugging his shoulders. He then took the glass, drunk a mouthful and ended up with a white line of the froth across the top of his mouth. Which he wiped away with the back of his hand.
“Hi Sandra,” both Abs and Tina responded. They also joined him in grabbing two chairs and sitting down.

*****

Chapter 2

After a few drinks had been bought and consumed. Paul stood saying to the group, “Shall we head back to Home Base.”
Sandra looked at Nick as he stood, placing the chair back from where she had taken it from. ‘Nicki, I so want this weekend to be special, for you to embrace the other side of your personality, and also join us the Bitch Vixens Gangrel Street Gang unit.’

Paul led the group which consisted of Nick, Abs, Tina, Sandra, Paul, Tom, Nancy, and Jonathan out the back way and down the back alleyways.
Nick knew South Central was classified as a habitable district by the city council, but the look of the place he knew the real truth, it was a slum, and also understood why. The City or Surra’s government didn’t have the funds to do anything about changing that classification. As the group walked he looked around at the state of the alleys and backstreets, he began to wonder about the entire corporation and governmental system and the fact it only seemed to serve the rich and in some places those in employment and not those out of work with little hope of getting a job.
Most of dumpsters and wheelie bins were overflowing with rubbish. Even though by this time the light was fading and would be gone in an hour or so, he saw the small damp spots in the darkened corners. Paul was still leading the group as they crossed a local small piece of parkland, in which was a few beat up old swings and a slide. Along the north and west side was a line of Silver Deiridine(Der-a-dine) trees.
The conversation mixed with laughter was about school, life and those who deserved a good beating. The walk took fifteen minutes and during it he and Tom were walking just behind Jonathan, who he took a very close look at his armpits and the two lumps located there. As he looked at his back he recognized a shoulder holster setup from the outline he could see under a tightish leather jacket. He then knew that at least three and more than likely all the Gangrels where armed with at least pistols and more than likely combat knives. He also began to wonder, ‘What if the Gangrels aren’t just the name they use to make them stand out from the rest, I wonder if the Gangrel. Hang on, what was written above the wolf’s head, Gangrel Street Gang. Bloody Hell, why the fuck didn’t I guess before. All the Gangrels at school are members, they must be. If they belong to a gang, then they also belong to the Gith Community as well. Idiot.’
Paul led the group out of a footpath that linked the parkland with a minor road on which was the Paul and Sandra’s home. He looked both ways and saw the street, more like a dirt track than an actual road, as in places the tarmac had gone and the ground showed through and in other places were potholes. The houses were all single storey affairs with cross ways white facia boarding. A lot of the houses had broken windows or they had been boarded up. Some had an underground garage. Some had attic windows, which normally meant they had attic rooms. A few even looked burnt out. The areas between the houses and the pavements, had lots of rubbish and items which could be recycled if people had the skills to do so. Some the larger items had been arranged to construct makeshift fortifications that he thought the local children played around. He turned with the group and walked down the road towards the house.
He then saw the house was similar to the rest except that it was painted red and the area in front of the house was totally covered in concrete. Sticking out from the main house was an extension with a small window, a long curtained window ran down the side of the house a few feet from the wall was the fence line with the neighbouring house. In front of the house and extension were a couple of motorbikes standing on their main stands, both of them had bit’s of their engines missing which was strewn around the bikes. Also stood on the concrete was an old four door family car, raised on four stacks of bricks, both the rear doors were missing as was the bonnet. These were stood up against the front of a house. Its tyres were stood in a stack between the car and the house. He saw a window that ran from the corner to the extension, which allowed light into the basement.
Paul turned down the driveway which headed down and was between the two wings, the left hand wing was larger than the right hand one. As he turned the corner and saw ten various motorbikes and motor-trikes, sat outside the closed garage doors. Paul headed for some steps up to a small veranda in front of the front door.
As Sandra was behind him and Tom, he stepped to left hand side and Tom stopped to allow Sandra up the steps before them. She stopped at the top and turned to look at him and Tom as they came up the steps.
Tom moved to follow Sandra up the steps first. Stepping around her at the top of the steps he stood at the bottom for a couple of seconds to look at the various motorbikes, wishing he was 18 now, and climbed the steps. He saw Sandra waiting in front of the door in.
As he reached the veranda Sandra asked, “Why are you here Nicki?”
He stopped in front of her, she had her head cocked to one size as if she were sizing him up. “It’s better than being at home waiting to be told to pack again and I’ve just finished my exams today. Come on, you invited me Sandra. Don’t you remember the email you sent concerning the party and earlier this week yours and Paul’s personal invite a couple of weeks ago.”
“Yeah I do remember. I am surprised you came, as you didn’t strike me as the type to enjoy all night parties.”
“I do sometimes, but I have to know the people who are going or organising it.”
Sandra turned and led him into the house. The open front door looked onto the living room-cum-open-plan kitchen. All the walls were a light red with indigo borders and doors, on the floor was a rich purple carpet. Along the back wall was an open fire place with a good sized fire burning and a large screen which had patterns that changed in time with the music which was playing from hidden speakers. The kitchen was split into one section with the washing-up sink in a large alcove to the left of the front door, the other section with the cooker and microwave was straight ahead of the door. Sticking out from the wall opposite the front door was a breakfast bar with a few seats tucked under it. Just round the corner from the front door was another door which he guessed might lead to the bedrooms. As he walked in, he smelt the three different incense sticks were being burnt. Candles in holders were burning, and gave the room a really relaxed atmosphere. As he breathe in the smells and the air inside the house he begin to relax.
Already present were fifteen people most he hadn’t seen around the school, but they all were wearing the same type of clothes as Paul, Sandra and the others, all of them sitting on cushions, bean bags, or low-backed comfy armchairs and sofas. The addition of the new arrivals the living room was about full with out having space issues. The only two not dressed in traditional Gith clothing were Tom and himself. Tom was dressed in dark blue jeans and a red T-shirt. Paul took his and Sandra’s jacket along with her shoulder holster rig. He turned, and headed for the other door, he disappeared through it.
Sandra walked to the kitchenette, where the sink was, and got herself an open bottle of Cabilla from the fridge and two glasses from the draining board beside the sink. After she had poured out two glasses she put the bottle back in the fridge. She placed the two glasses down on the breakfast bar, pulling a stool out and sitting down.
He moved to stand on the living room side of the bar taking a mouthful of Cabilla after Sandra had passed him his, his improved hearing easily hearing the various conversations. He picked out Tom’s conversation and it sounded like he was enjoying him self. He took a second mouthful of Cabilla, a drink he liked. He watched Sandra thinking, ‘Are you the one person everyone looks for, the perfect match. I think I now understand what my life has been leading to. You know nothing about me and yet I feel as if you know me.’ The feeling of warmth and friendship he was feeling coming from the whole room was like nothing he had every felt before. The closest feeling he could remember was the friendship he had had with Jum-Fu and Wong-Ma all those years ago. ‘I hope those two still want to be friends.’ He hit himself internally. ‘Why didn’t I keep in contact with my friends.’
Sandra opened the pouch on her left hand side removing from it a small patar, lighter and a two once tin. The smell from the tin after Sandra had opened it was pleasant, not unlike one of the smells in the room. Sandra took a small amount of the dried green plant it contained, tearing it up before placing it in the large open end of the patar. She then took the lighter lighting it and placed the small end against her lips. She drew air through the pipe which drew the flame from the lighter into the bowl of the pipe. After a couple of seconds, she then held her breath, exhaling slowly.
“Yeah, I take people as I see them, not what they look like and in both of you I see people who are loyal to their views on life. I know how you came to be at the school. Your family died in Health and Safety accident three years ago, the compensation award to you by the company for not protecting the health and safety of their contractors included schooling until the end of college.” He looked at the patar and saw the top of the large bowl was covered in white ash. Sandra took the patar back and took a second inhale and like before she held her breath, exhaling slowly, Sandra looked into the bowl and tapped the patar against her lighter.
Sandra took another draw on the patar and again held her breath. After a few seconds she exhaled a stream of smoke into the air above her.
“How come you know that?” asked Paul, “and that’s bullshit, it weren’t Health and Safety accident, we’ll tell you at some point what we were told happened by friends of our parents.”
He turned to face Paul who was sat of the arm of the closest sofa. “I did some research into the two of you. A little background news archive research, and what I told you is all I know, but I don’t care about that. I see in both of you a loyalty to people who you call friends, and over the last nine months I’ve grown to respect the both of you in many ways.” He took his glass and took a mouthful, continuing after swallowing the liquid. “Even though you were almost never in school, the times you were you showed Tom and I respect and what I counted as friendship. Especially you, Paul, when you put that little twerp tight-end on the floor for giving me a dead arm.”
The gent sat beside Paul turned and offered a cigarette like object to Paul along with a lighter. Paul accepted it, then placed it in his mouth and lit it. When he had exhaled the smoke taken from the draw, he said, “That was nothing Nick. The twat deserved it; he had hit upon Abs and Sandra and had become a nuisance to both of them as well.”
He turned back to face Sandra. “And you Sandra, when I look at you I see friendly eyes and you always wear a smile when you see me.”
“Thank you Nicki. Oh, was it you that emailed me and Paul the notes from the lectures we missed?” she asked with a quizzical look on her face.
He heard the name Nicki again and without knowing what the other names were, he assumed it was aimed at him. ‘Ok, that’s twice. How would you know that’s the name I use when dressing. I never chatted to a real girl called Sandra in the Young Transgendered chat rooms I use.’
“Yes it was.” He looked away feeling his cheeks turning were heating up.
“Thank you Nicki.”
“Ok, what’s this with Nicki?” As that was the third time he had heard ‘Nicki’. Now he just wanted to find out why?
“Sorry, the first time I saw you walking to the far table in the canteen I saw someone who was down, but not the normal down of school life or the bullying you were getting. Let me explain. I watch people and being a Gangrel my vision is honed to quite a degree. In you I saw the muscle tone of a warrior, possibly a street fighter, and sometimes I am able discern what sex the person should be. Yours I very definitely can, it shows as female. Don’t you remember both me and Paul came and sat with you?”
“Yeah I do.”
“As members of the Gangrel Street Gang we are taught to see, the way you sat and held yourself confirmed it for me. Being new to the school, most men would be out trying to make friends, some girls sit defensively and make friends when other people approach. You acted very defensively towards us and when we sat with you for the first few times.”
“Yeah. I did. I think both me and Tom are a bit out of place here.” He took a mouthful of Cabilla returning the glass to the breakfast bar counter.
“Yeah I know. The two girls Tina and Abs — we sent them to meet you so you would make it to the party without running afoul of the locals,” said Paul, after knocking the ash from the end of the cigarette passing it on to the woman who was sitting in the arm chair proper.
Both the girls smiled as they were stood at the end of the breakfast bar. Both moved and gave him a hug and a quick kiss. He just felt his cheeks going red again as he wasn’t use to being hugged or the closeness the people at the party seemed to have with each other.
Paul then stood up and walked to the fridge, opened it, he took out a can of lager it fizzed as he opened it. When he had taken a swig he asked, “Can I ask you something Nick? Tom, I know why you are here, you love a good party.”
At this Tom smiled and continued to drink from a can of lager and chat to Wayne.
“Yeah, ask away,” he said taking a mouthful of Cabilla, the glass was about two thirds full. He placed the glass back on the breakfast bar and turned to face Paul as he did.
“I guess you aren’t too happy with your life of constant moving from place to place. Am I right in this?” enquired Paul. “How long before your next move?”
He read Paul’s face and felt as if he should tell the truth as he and Sandra seemed to want to know what Nick felt. ‘What the hell is happening to me. Paul’s question was out of interest not out of checking me out for some reason.’
“A few weeks, maybe a month tops. Yeah you’re right, I do wish my family would just settle down someplace and give me a normal life.”
“Have you ever thought of doing a bunk and disappearing?” asked Sandra. She took a draw on the pipe and again after holding it for a few seconds exhaled the blue tinted smoke.
“No, I’ve not had the friends who would take me in to allow me that chance, plus it would hurt my family.”
“It’s time for you to think about you Nick,” responded Paul in a matter of fact tone to his statement. “You will be going off to college in a couple of months anyway, they know that and how long before you are 18?”
“True, just over a month before I’m 18,” he said, and after a pause, Sandra passed him the pipe reloaded, with fresh dried plant taken from her tin and a lighter. “What do I do with this Sandra?”
“Smoke it. Stick the end with the small hole against your lips, hold the flame end over the bowl, light the lighter, and suck,” replied Sandra in a sarcastic tone. He heard a chuckle from the people that had heard the question.
He placed the small end against his lips and sparked the flint which lit the lighter. He then drew air through the pipe. The smoke from the burning dried plant burnt his throat as it went down into his lungs, this caused the involuntary response of a bout of hard coughing as he brought mucus from the wind pipe into his throat to cool the burnt area. The coughing lasted for a good thirty seconds and even then he could still feel the tenderness of the area. When he had finished coughing, the chemicals that had been absorbed into his blood began to take effect and he felt himself relaxing even more than the environment had relaxed him when he had walked in. As he relaxed he began to hear the music and smelt the smells from the various incense sticks being burnt. The music being played was excellent, slowly a smile of contentedness spread across his face.
Sandra asked, “Do you want to stay in this city?”
“Given the chance, no, but, I am not going to be able to go to the city I would want to live in.” He turned to face Sandra as he replied.
“Which is?” asked Paul.
“Theaban, the capital of Jarrzar. I had a couple of very good friends there,” he replied
“Ok. This isn’t Jarrzar but I have grown to really like you over the few times I’ve been with you. Paul, Tina and Abs have all said yes to you living here if you want,” suggested Sandra taking a mouthful of drink
“You serious?” he responded looking at Sandra in I’m not hearing this, ‘Your giving me the chance to disappear, why?’
“Very. I’ve never been more serious,” replied Sandra.
“Do you want to fit in here, Nick?” asked Paul.
“Maybe. Well yes, if it’s possible.” He looked at Paul and saw a few of the people beyond were looking happy at something. Tom’s face was one of go for it man, you deserve it.
“I guess you are worrying about things like clothes, yes?” asked Paul.
He nodded his head.
“Don’t worry about things like that. We plan ahead. We have to.”
Sandra picked up the two glasses of Cabilla moving from behind the breakfast bar, leading him to a couple of empty bean bags. She then sat down with her legs out-stretched, placing the two glasses on the raised area that surrounded the fireplace.
He took a long draw from the pipe and, for a second time, spent twenty seconds coughing.
At this everyone in the room laughed and said at the same time, “Welcome to the land of the stoned.”
He began to feel very light headed, everything started to spin. The next thing he realised he was sitting in the lap of Sandra. He could feel her hand slowly stroking his bare arm in a seductive manor.
She brought her head close to his ear whispering, “Don’t be startled and please hear me out.”
He smelt the fragrance Sandra was wearing. ‘I know that smell, where from.’ He thought about what Sandra had just said and nodded, ‘Yes. Ok’.
Sandra continued, “I know about what you do in your spare time. The cross-dressing and all that.”
His eyes opened widely. “Hey! How?” he whispered back somewhat angrily.
“You are not the only one who does research into people. I’ve been watching you for a few months. We in the Gangrels invite members to join rather than accept just anyone as most people couldn’t live up to our standards. I’ve also broken into your place and found the clothes.”
“Shit, why didn’t I upgrade the security at home,” he said quietly
“What?” Sandra asked in a tone that said, ‘I’m interested in knowing the reason behind that reply’.
“I’m a freelance security expert, I break into people’s houses and test the security and, if the owners want an upgrade, I upgrade it so most thieves can’t break in.”
“Ah...” He heard Sandra’s voice raise as something clicked. “I see. You see Tina?”
He nodded yes.
“She is a full-time cross dresser and you know how good she is at Electronics; she made our bike communication system and it’s also used by seven other Gangrel Street Gang units. Come with me and say goodbye to Nick.”
“Ok. I think I can see where this is going, and you don’t mind?” he asked in a questioning manner
“No, to be honest I have fallen in love with you, and it’s not your male ego either.” Sandra responded wearing the smile he loved so much. “Come with me.”
He stood up and helped Sandra to her feet. He then followed Sandra as she moved around the outside of the main seating area towards the door that led to the bedrooms.

Paul looked at the two as they headed for Sandra’s room. He smiled, and thought ‘Welcome to the Gangrels Nick.’

*****

Chapter 3

The corridor was easily 10metres long and a couple of metres wide. From the corridor were three closed doors and one open one, which led to the bathroom. Just behind the door hanging from the wall was a coat rack with the various jackets and shoulder holster rigs of the guests on. On the floor was a thin blue carpet, the walls were the same colour as the living room and had low wattage bulbs in the light fixtures.
Sandra led him to her bedroom, where she grabbed her leather jacket, a second one and her shoulder holster rig from some hangers behind the door. The spare jacket she handed him was a standard leather jacket that just covered the torso from the waist up, on the back was a similar Wolf’s head motif as Tina was wearing. “You had better wear this. We’ve taking my bike. I want to show you the city after dark on this side of the street, where life truly is.”
“Ok.” He looked at Sandra and was wearing a face he had forgotten about. It was the one that was interested in learning about the environment, the ups, the downs, where people went for what and everything else he could learn, his Street Ghost face.
The two of them walked back through the living room, where Sandra took down, from the shelf beside the front door, two small black boxes. He followed Sandra as she walked into the early evening proper. The sun was now gone, but in the west you could see the redness of the evening. The redness faded to a mid blue and then it gradually faded to black which ran from about the middle of the sky. Sandra walked to where her bike was parked under the veranda. He stood at the bottom of the steps staring in shock, at the size of it, as she wheeled it out and propped it on the second stand. The light above the garage door provided enough light for him to see the bike was clean and looked well maintained. Sandra handed him one of the small black boxes out of which came two wires, one was attached to a piece of material, the second length of wire was attached to an ear piece. “Our communication system, put this on and we’ll be able to chat as we are driving.”
“Ok,” he responded smiling. He clipped the black box to his trousers, placing the earpiece in his ear. He then watched Sandra put hers on and copied the location for the material band. He felt the small piece of technology was sown into the middle of the band rest against his voice box.
“Place the tech against your voice box, you only need to make the voice box vibrate, the technology in the material picks up the vibration and the box transmits it to all people on the frequency in the 3-mile range. The earpiece removes the air from your ear channel and then via the piece behind your ear vibrates the responses to the bones of your middle ear.”
He heard Sandra’s voice over the earpiece say, “Do you hear me ok?”
Rather than talking normally, he kept his mouth closed and forced his voice box to vibrate as if he was speaking. “Yeah, do you hear me?”
“Yeah, I do.” He smiled at the affirmation.
He watched Sandra who stood the Wazz-Uki 1000 up off its side stand and swung her leg over so she could sit on the bike. She flicked out the kick start, which was located on the right hand side. She semi stood and forced the kick start down hard. As the engine caught Sandra operated the throttle a little and let the engine drop to a gentle purr. She turned and patted the seat behind her.
As Sandra throttled he heard the engine, even with his relatively limited knowledge of motorbikes, the engine sounded well looked after. He walked towards the motorbike putting the jacket on as he did. He swung his leg over the passenger’s seat sitting behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held on.

Sandra switched the lights on, pulled the clutch, dropped the gears into first, and throttled up. She released the clutch as she increased the throttle. The clutch caught and the engine sound dropped as it started to pull at the back brake. She released the brake and pulled the bike up and out of the darkening driveway. At the end of the driveway, she turned left onto the minor street.
She drove down the short distance between the driveway and the main road that ran from Richmond Park District to West Central District. At the junction she turned the bike west and headed towards the western end of Central District.

*****

Sandra drove down the street at 40 miles per hour allowing Nick the chance to look around and see what life was like for the lower and underclass of society. As he looked at the street he saw that this main road was very similar to 76th street, except there were no drug dealers. Instead he saw both male and female street walkers touting for business from the passing cars belonging to the better offs, or those locals who had some money as they headed for the night clubs and parties. He saw a pair of girls climb into the back of a saloon car. He could hear the trendy popular songs that most of the commercial radio stations played, being played over one hundred feet away, and it got louder as they approached. It indicated and suddenly pulled out in front of Sandra which caused her to brake and swerve around him. Sandra hit the horn and stared at the driver who looked back and looked as if he was laughing. He wasn’t sure if he was laughing at Sandra’s reaction or something that had been said in the car.
He looked at both sides of the streets up the side roads. The buildings were run down only, only one in six maybe seven looked as if was being looked after by the landlords or the inhabitants, maybe both. Even on the side streets that joined the main road, it looked very much the same. The pavements and roads were broken up or in the process of breaking up. They had potholes in or the tarmac had worn way and the surface beneath was visible. Down some side streets he saw CSP(Corporate Security Checkpoints) which normally indicated the borders of an enclave either belonging to a specific corporation or the corporation his mum and dad worked for. These sights and what he had seen as he arrived disgusted him, he began to recall what one of his friends, the Street Ghost, Uhura had told and showed him on a few occasions. ‘The corporations have a lot to answer for.’ His thoughts went back to the conversation he had had with his father when they were living in Jarrzar and the chat with Wong-Ma’s father about ‘Capitalism’ and the ‘corporate way’. He was beginning to see both of the concepts and theories as being fundamentally wrong. Looking at the corners as Sandra drove past, showed people down on their luck, street walkers, or the homeless not those who didn’t want to work, but people who the corporations didn’t need. They would work if given the chance, but they wouldn’t care about the ethics of the companies or corporations, just to get a little money to support themselves. Other corners had groups of youths milling about looking for something to do, or watching for other gangs attempts to transgress the borders. Eighty percent of the shops on the main road were either burnt out, had the fronts covered by heavy wooden sheets or metal grills.
He heard, over the earpiece, Sandra’s voice, “This is the real city, the corporations have priced 90% of the small independently owned local shops out of business. The only place people can buy anything are corporate-run Malls and mega-stores, where most of the stuff is over priced and not of good quality.”
As Sandra was saying this she drove past a large, brightly lit open plot. On the far side was a massive building, easily three stories high, the large sign that took up the top two floors in the centre said, ‘Rotanna HyperStore’.
“I never knew about this.” He realized, ‘Maybe Sandra was right. Maybe he was a warrior, a warrior for the people not the MegaCorporations he would have likely joined if he had not been offered this chance.’

*****

Fifteen minutes after leaving the house, Sandra slowed and stopped the bike. She then kicked down the kick stand climbing off after he had. They both walked towards the edge of an old quarry workings drop. He stopped and stood next to Sandra looking out over the site.
In front of him was a large site with tall chimneys, large buildings and large covered tanks, that probably contained some form of chemical. The chimneys were spewing smoke and all the buildings and tanks were lit up by powerful lights. His improved vision was picking out the various vehicles that were driving on the roads inside the compound, vapours coming from joins in the various pipes that ran all over the site. Surround the site was an eight feet high wall topped by cartal razor wire facing out over the pavement. He looked at the towers that jutted out from the wall, each one looked as if they were for watching the inside of the walls. He knew that was to get around the laws that indicated anyone outside the grounds was under the judistiction of the city government. The convex mirrors and the two guards watching the city side of the wall proved how this corporation was getting around that World Government law.
He settled his vision on one of the guard towers seeing the inside, he saw that most of the towers had at least three guards. Placed on a weapons rack, hung on the wall were five assault grade weapons. Each tower was equipped with ten high powered lights that shone towards the floor and out from the tower.
“What is this place?” he asked.
“This place was bought by the corporation your father and mother works for and is the site where my mum and dad died. The previous owners in the upper management kept the budget to be spent on Health and Safety signs and warnings and general inspections, far lower than other companies spent, to increase the bottom line. They knew to run the correct Health and Safety procedures on all their sites would slash the profits by a third.”
He heard the ‘slash the profits by a third’ and stared at Sandra. “You are kidding.”
Sandra shock her head and he read the face and it to said, ‘no’. “In the end most days it was a miracle an accident didn’t happen. One day one did happen; a large stack of 25 gallon drums, which was far higher than was correct for the chemical the barrels contained collapsed. The drums contained a bio-hazardous chemical. When the stack collapsed it crushed the cab on the truck my dad was driving. The resulting spill as the drums came down and tops flew off, also killed mum. She was the first on the scene and the signs that should have been visible weren’t. It was found out later than none existed at all on the entire sight, none of the drums had signs others were even miss-labelled. From what we were told by Echo Tech Security Investigations, neither would have suffered the fumes alone did most damage to the first eight on site. As all of them died within thirty seconds. Then the first corporate rescue services arrived and they had the correct breathing apparatus. Did you hear about the Maplar Chemical spill three years ago.”
“Yes, from what I remember Digital System News went massive on the whole tragedy and because of this the corporation was forced to settle big time.”
“Yeah, big time. To the high profile management maybe, not to us the mere contractors families. The corporation apologized and paid a pittance to us, and if it weren’t for Echo Legal Support Trust paying the legal bills we probably wouldn’t have gotten that. They then sold the entire site to Ebbsu and made over four million on the sale. They did offer to school us both and pay for our college, but we weren’t looking for that. We needed a lump sum to make sure that we were supported. The biggest advantage was that mum and dad owned the house outright, so we weren’t homeless after the accident.”
He knelt down and placed his hands around the sides of his face and rested his elbows on his knees. He had heard what Sandra had said, and began to wonder what Timaus had meant when he said, ‘The Echo Trusts are what make the difference to the people outside the umbrella. If Echo Legal Support Trust paid for the legal costs, hang on what did I hear, ‘All Corporations had dirty hands except C.Industries, those hands are dirty cleaning up the other corporations messes.’ I know C.Industries is under the Echo Tech Umbrella, and if. Bloody hell! Now I understand,’ as things clicked into place
“Back on the bike. We have a three more places to visit. The next one is one of the few public hospitals left in the city, which is run by the city government.”

*****

The route Sandra took to the hospital, which was located south of the factory complex, took only ten minutes, but it ran through one of the many true slum areas of South Central. Here like before he saw the same, rundown apartment blocks, tenement buildings and open areas waiting for some corporation to buy the land and put a new enclave or business park on it. As Sandra drove past one of the few Free Fire Zones which operated in or on the borders of the district. He saw the areas of battle damage to the houses and the large expanses of waste land or rubblized buildings. In these areas he knew from watching the various news programs that law and order was in the hands of either the local gangs or strong men and small groups of well armed thugs.
Sandra slowed and turned into the small car-park outside the Emergency and Casualty entrance. She stopped the bike in one of the bays for bikes. Both Sandra and him climbed off and walked in through the open double doors. The inner set were closed and Sandra pushed the middle and opened the two so she could walk into the waiting room. Once through the door she was accosted by a young boy who slipped past Sandra and out through the closing double doors.
He noticed that he looked ill, but he still had a smile on his face when he saw Sandra. His checked shirt was faded and the trousers he was wearing was torn in places and patched in others.
Sandra turned to face him. “I volunteer along with the most of the people at the party, and I know most of the regulars in here personally as I also home visit. The problem this and the other public hospitals have is that the corporations price the drugs at the point that if you don’t have medical insurance you don’t get the treatments. David, the young one we saw when we walked in suffers from lukaria, and his parents can’t really afford the drugs and treatments he needs, but they do so by not eating for days at a time. Some days when I come here I’m surprised that he’s not gone.”
He stood to one side of the door and shook his head and looked around the waiting room, it was full to overflowing. He saw two doctors, five nurses and two orderlies, all had large bags under their eyes. The waiting room itself wasn’t exactly clean, but it wasn’t dirty either. On most of the seats were children or young mothers nursing babies and toddlers.
Sandra had moved and sat down on one of the only free red plastic seats. She began chatting with one mother who was holding a small baby, who was quietly crying.

“Don’t cry, what’s wrong?” Sandra asked in a comforting voice.
“My baby is sick. The doctor says he can’t do anything. They don’t have the necessary drugs to treat her, and I can’t afford to go to the any other hospital.”

He looked at the mother and saw in her face and the way she held her baby the love she had for the infant. Inside his stomach went very tight and his face changed from shock to one of anger for the Corporations generally. ‘Why price the drugs out of reach of the people.’ He turned and walked calmly out of the waiting room back into the night. He headed for one of the columns supporting the cover for the Emergency Entrance. He bent down leaning against the column and stared into the night sky, his face one of pure anger and hatred. ‘Timaus, Damien, I think I will be joining the ranks of the Street Ghosts. Creator help the Corporations when I have finished with them.’

*****

Sandra looked up from playing with the baby and looked around for Nick. She saw he had disappeared. She got up and wandered out the main door into the night. From the light produced by the four working fluorescence tubes and the light streaming from the entrance, she saw him leaning up against a column looking into the night’s sky. Sandra walked the short distance to where he was crouched. “You ok?”
“No,” came his reply, “I’m actually very angry. Earlier today I remembered what my friends in Theaban showed me all those years ago, the corporate brainwashing the schools do had an effect on me. Until now that is. Does the girl know who the father is?” Nick stood up and turned to face her.
She looked into a face of someone who had made up their mind, and The Creator help those who get in the way. “I wouldn’t have thought so. Most of the mothers are single mothers, and the fathers are corporate middle and upper management that want a bit on the side as well as a nice family life. Do you want to head back to the house hun? I think you’ve seen enough for one evening.”
“Thanks. Where were you going to take me next?” She walked with Nick to where the bike was parked.
“Just to the tower, it’s a place where the street people go to be in a quiet place away from the busy street and survival. It’s where we watch the Corporations conduct business and to watch the world go by.”

“Let’s go there. Can I drive for a bit?” Nick asked
“Yeah you can.” Sandra handed him the keys and let him climb onto the driver’s position.
He slammed the kick start down and the engine caught. He let the engine settle into a purr.
Sandra climbed on behind him. “So can I take it you are going to stay on this side of the street with us Dirt Siders?”
He turned his head and smiled ‘Yes I am’ at Sandra. ‘I think I have found my partner and equal.’

*****

On the journey from the hospital to the Tower, Sandra directed him on a small tour of the city, so he could see the sights and places the Dirt Siders called home. To sites the corporations wanted, where hired in thugs and gangs, from other districts were told to empty, forcibly if need be, one, more than likely a few tenement and apartment blocks. The Corporate Security Forces providing a barrier between the angry locals and the thugs throwing the furniture from upper storey windows so that when the item landed it shattered or broke. Forcing the people to clear up the mess as the city security would arrest them for littering. He could see groups of twos and threes from Echo Security. They were powerless to help the people as the corporation had purchased the land from the city government or the previous freeholders, they just didn’t bother with the niceties of the housing laws; giving the occupants time to leave on their own. The following night after the contract was signed the thugs moved in and started the clearance and put up the hoardings that would keep out the squatters.
“That’s the way the sites are left as empty vacant buildings for months, sometimes years. I’ve seen a couple of sites that have been owned by one Corporation lie empty for six years, and they still don’t look like it’s going to do anything to the site,” Sandra said over the communication system.

*****

He pulled up outside the Needle Dome Tower. The car park was full of disused and burnt out vehicles ranging from the massive seven trailer road train cabs to the small sub compacts. In places he could see the angles cars were at indicated they had been involved in explosions, probably from local gangs having turf battles. The lights that would have illuminated the car-park no longer worked. Having had the lighting filaments stolen, busted or fail from usage long ago. His knowledge of the city told him that the Needle Dome Tower once upon a time was one of the main attractions of the City. The observation platform restaurant was world famous for its food. Then sixty years ago Echo Tower Suraban was constructed and opened by the World President. The floating restaurant became the place to be seen and people flocked to it, the Needle Dome tower lost it’s appeal. Then 40 years ago Suraban City Government closed it as it was costing a couple of million a year and they could not afford it.
Sandra climbed off and taking his hand she led him to a busted window pane near where the lobby finished and the offices that made up the first five floors started. Once they where inside the lobby, he saw a expansive area with four separate reception desks and above them were the signs of the last companies to use the office space in the dome. They found the only working lift to be at the bottom of the shaft, which he guessed normally indicated no one was on the observation platform or the top of the dome. They travelled up to the top of the dome, walking out on to the surface. They walked to where the dome started to go down and became dangerous. The entire dome was made from galvanised Setadar panels welded to a reinforced Setadar frame work. He had seen tele programs that told the story of the construction of the dome and the supporting tower as well. They sat down looking north, out across the city towards the Commercial and corporate centre of Central, South Docks and East Stevran Districts.
The night sky above was clear except for the odd cloud. The stars that made up the heaven twinkled and looked down upon the pair. Sandra placed her hand around his waist and held him tight. He could feel that the holding was affectionate but it missed something, he could not work out what it missed. In the sky flew short haul passenger planes, cargo planes and suborbitals, as they flew four to five hundred passengers at speeds in excess of Mach seven and eight. It would take a suborbital four hours to fly from Suraban to Echo City where an old style jet plane would take eight or nine hours.
The pair spent a good while there, just looking out at the sky scrapers of Central, watching the police, local news and radio station choppers, as they went about their business. They both rolled and slowly smoked an entire Cambar cigarette and laughed at some of their adventures in Suraban. The sounds that drifted up to them were the sirens of local and Echo Tech Security vehicles speeding down the roads, the local emergency response units, and just the sounds of vehicles moving around as well as city life.
He saw Sandra look up and she pointed at her favourite star shape, he saw it and smiled, neither of them wanting to destroy the special occasion this was.

Sandra looked into the face of Nick and saw happiness, joy and what she thought was unconditional love for her.

‘Are you the one Sandra, are you the one I’m meant to spend my life with?’ Nick thought. He too looked into Sandra’s face and saw happiness at being here with him.

Sandra thought whilst sitting on the Dome, with the person she hoped would become her partner, ‘Mum, dad I wish you were alive now to see me and also to welcome the Bitch Vixens’ newest member I think.’

After thirty minutes had passed, but it could have be a couple of hours for all the pair cared. Sandra said, “One more place to go Nick, do you remember I said to let yourself go and say good bye to Nick?”
“Yeah I do.”
“Then do so and let me and the guys show you what you could look and feel like,” she paused for a bit, “in reality. For if I am right then the Aces Gang is going to be in for a shock.”

“Ok.” Nick replied smiling evilly to her self. At this he knew ‘Nick’ was on his last few minutes of life. ‘Be warned, for the Black Fairy rises.’

*****

Chapter 4

The pair travelled back to where the motorbike was park, and he drove back to the house where they entered through the side door, on the side alley that led to the garden.
He was led by Sandra into her bedroom, where when they had entered he looked around the room. The room was about the same size as his old room. A fitted wardrobe lined the wall that backed onto the other large bedroom, a dressing table sat opposite along with a couple of shelving units on which was a few books and other items of Sandra’s. The floor was polished wooden laminate. A double bed, with a bed side table on each side, sat under the window. An office style chair sat under the dressing table and a couple of easy chairs sat on the corridor wall.
He handed his jacket to Sandra who hung it from the coat hooks, behind the door they were joined by Sandra’s boot knife and shoulder holster rig. Sandra then led him to the chair under the dressing table and sat him down. “I want to ask you something.”
“Ok, ask away,” he replied looking happily into the eyes of his friend and now partner.
“Will you Nick, allow me to transform you, from who you are now into who we both know you are inside here?” and she stabbed her finger into his chest.
“I do,” he replied.
“Undress then, totally.” Sandra headed for her wardrobe starting to rummage through it.
He did just that he undressed removing all of his clothes including the female mini briefs and top he had worn earlier. He knew his physique was not too bad, toned and honed by the cycling and the shadow sparring he did. Most weekends he would do a good forty miles in the higher gears and the route normally included at least two good hill climbs. His Sumdar afternoons were spent in the garden of his old home shadow fighting and running through the various forms and sequences he had been taught during his life on the road. The one advantage he knew he had was, he had a lot less body hair than most men, including his dad, and most of it was really light in colour and difficult to see against his skin.

“How much smoking terminology do you understand?” Sandra asked looking right at Nick’s face after checking the rest of the body over. ‘You are going to make one hell of a good looking Vixen.’
“A bit. I know what a waterpipe and a patar are and how to roll a cigarette, but that’s about it, until I came here I have never even smoked a cigarette.”
“See my pouch?” she said pointing to the pouch on her belt. “Get the tin out and load the blue waterpipe with Cambar.”

“Ok.” He hoped no one was going to walk in whilst he was in his current state. He stood and walked to where Sandra was still rummaging through the chest of draws inside the wardrobe. He took the tin out, opened it and scooped out some Cambar. He loaded the waterpipe like Sandra had requested.
After he had loaded it, Sandra said, “Bring it here.”
He walked towards her carrying the waterpipe.
Sandra stood and took the waterpipe, she took her lighter out of the pouch and lit it. After putting the large end against her mouth she took a good draw from the waterpipe which bubbled as she drew the smoke through the pipe and through the water. After finishing the smoke in the long tube she handed it to him along with the lighter.
He also too took a good draw from it, this time only coughing a few times as the water cooled the hot smoke. He held it in for a few seconds exhaling the smoke slowly.
Sandra stood up holding a black corset which she had taken from a hanger in the main wardrobe section. She passed him it along with a matching thong. He stepped into the thong and pulled it up. The feeling of him pulling it up was the death blow of ‘Nick’. For the next how ever long it took her true love to transform ‘Nick’ from his current state to the new and improved person was her cocoon stage. The female to emerge the other side would take the war to the Corporations that deserved her retribution.
Sandra moved around to her back wrapping the corset around her. The front middle was hooked from the bottom to the top. Sandra tightened the ribbon until the corset was tight but not uncomfortable. Sandra then took a box from the top of the chest of drawers, opened it and took out two breast forms which she slipped into the right locations. She removed them and applied a gluey substance to the flat back and for a second time she positioned them and stepped back. She smiled and nodded her approval at the way the new member was beginning to look. “See what I mean, I think ahead. Sit in the chair and Tina and I will do your makeup. You want a drink?”
“Yeah please.” She walked to the chair in front of the dresser and sat down, waiting for Sandra and Tina to return.

*****

Sandra walked out and headed to the fridge and took two lagers out. She saw Tina looking at her with a face that side, ‘what’s happening hun?’
She smiled back and mouthed, “Shall we dance hun.”
Tina’s head nodded an approving way and tapped Abs on the arm.

“It’s almost time to welcome our ninth member.”

“I’ll get everything ready. A Delt 357 you think?” Abs replied.
“Yeah,” answered Tina as she got up and took her glass. she followed Sandra towards Sandra’s bedroom.
As Tina was disappearing through the corridor door she was walking through the front door heading for the garage and the Bitch Vixens arsenal.

Sandra walked back in with Tina close behind. Tina closed the door and the pair looked at Nick and Tina walked towards Nick thinking about something.
“Can we do this without you seeing the results until the end?”
“Ok, I guess, as long as I can still drink!”

Sandra walked to the wardrobe and opened it, she had an idea how long Tina was going to be over the base makeup, this gave her about thirty minutes to get the items for Nick to wear. Hold-Ups were a must as Nick did like to wear stocking at points as she had found numerous pairs when she had broken in.
She took a pair out of the top drawer. She turned to face Tina waving to get her attention. Tina looked at her and she pointed at her boots and then at Nick’s shoes and mouthed, ‘Size?’
Tina bent down, grabbed one and tossed it at Sandra. Sandra caught the underarm lob and looked inside and saw the size said eight. She smiled as she was had the same size feet. She bent down and took out one of her spare Setadar Toe Capped Biker Boots. With the boots went a pair of her Black eight inch wide baggies. These were soon joined by one of the matching tops she had. She removed her top and slipped the other one to match the one Nick was going to wear. She walked to where Tina was applying the white setting powder.

*****

Tina took a blindfold from the top draw of the dresser and placed it over Nick’s eyes, smiling as she did. Tina turned and opened Sandra’s dresser side drawers which revealed Sandra’s main make-up supply, this was joined by Sandra’s small travelling case. She rummaged through the bottom left draw and found a new, un-opened Gothage White Matt Concealer Foundation she took it out along with a large tub of moisturizer. She opened the moisturizer and took some and massaged it into Nick’s face, when the moisturizer had gone she applied the Concealer Foundation and that too was massaged in until it was a thin layer covering enough of the shadow to make people wonder, as Tina knew when Nick started hormones it would be so much easier to cover the shadow as the speed it grew slowed and the hair became finer.
She looked at Nick sat there in the chair whilst she waited for the foundation to set slightly, she thought, ‘If you bring just your skills in electronics and computers to us, you are going to be an asset to us, but seeing you like this, I think you are going to bring so much more, welcome to the Gangrels whatever you name yourself. It will be a pleasure to work along side you.’
When it had set to the point she wanted, she applied the white finishing powder. She took the large brush and the pot of loose powder. Sandra mixed her own out of a slightly cream finishing powder and bright white talcum powder. Tina dabbed the powder all over Nick’s face and then lightly brushed the powder so it covered what it had to, including the top and side join of the form to the skin.
Sandra then walked over carrying some clothes and smiled at the way Nick looked.

After Nick had felt the brush applying some finishing power to his face, he was stood on and felt the other friend slide a pair of something that felt like a silky, very fine mesh like material. He realised that these must be a pair of hold-up stockings.
He then had his right foot placed into what felt like a pair of boots. He was allowed to stand whilst he felt someone checking the boot for a fitting. It was removed and he was sat back down into the chair.
Tina said to her, “Close your eyes hun. I’m about to remove your blindfold so I can do the last bit, your eyes.”
She closed this eyes and the blindfold was removed. She could feel the moisturizer and then the foundation being applied to the eye area and the area covered by the blindfold. When the setting powder had been applied, he felt eye-shadow being applied to the eye lids, this feeling was followed by liquid eyeliner which he felt being applied to the upper lids along the edge of the eyelashes. The application of mascara was the last job Tina did. He was at last able to take a swig from his can of beer.
She then felt a pair of trousers being slipped on. She was made to stand so the trousers could be pulled right up and fastened. This was followed by the pulling on of a top which finished his look. He felt his right foot being lifted and placed in the boot again. When she was firmly into the boot the left leg was lifted and placed into the other boot.
He felt the hair tie being removed from the male pony tail he wore and one of the pair’s hands slightly change his hair, probably to a slightly more feminine look.
The other one led him a few feet and stopped him saying, “Open your eyes my lover.”
He opened his eyes and looked right at a full length mirror. The human looking back, was the one from her dreams. A real bitch-looking female with nicely sized breasts cleavage was implied rather than shown directly. Her hips were noticeable but not too large. The boots, she was wearing, felt comfortable, and the trousers where of the baggy variety most Giths preferred, when not wearing long skirts. The top was tight and you could just see the outline of the corset through it. ‘I need to correct the minor issue of the forms and other male noticeable bits.’ She stood looking at the woman looking back and knew with out any doubt that she had made the right choice.
Through the haze of the birth she heard Sandra’s voice saying, “Tina did your face while I got the clothes ready.”
She realised that ‘her’ was here to stay. ‘I’m not being known as Nicki, that’s for sure.’ She thought for a few seconds and decided on her new name.
“Thank you both. I think I’ll be called Nibola Calton — or Nibs for short.”

Sandra heard the name and thought, ‘I was so right when I asked the guys about asking you to join.’ “Welcome to the Gangrels, Nibs.”

Nibs turned to face Sandra and saw she was wearing a matching top. Her face was one of pure happiness.
“Yes welcome to the Gangrels, Nibs. Let’s introduce our newest member to the others,” said Tina with a happy tone in her voice.
“Just confirm something for me, the Gangrels are a street gang?”
Tina stepped towards the door to open it and said as she did, “Yes, The Gangrels are a Street Gang that we all, bar Tom, belong to.”
“Yes, let’s.” Sandra moved to her side stepping through the open door slightly ahead of her. Tina joined the two and brought up the rear.
Sandra walked to the door to the living room and opened it and allowed her to enter first.

Paul saw the door open and stood up from the chair he was sitting in. He moved to stand beside the door, just as the newest member entered. He took something out of his trouser pocket and placed it around Nibs’ neck. “Use the patar with pride.”

Nibs saw that Abs was standing beside Paul. In her hands was an open pouch, and inside was the same size tin as everyone else’s, the belt was a standard combat utility belt, a lot of Street Ghosts used, as did she when she broke in to homes. Abs wrapped the belt around her waist securing it at the front. She then made sure the pouch was on the left hand side of her body. “Always keep the tin topped up.”
She turned and saw everyone in the room was smiling. She completed the turn and gave Sandra a kiss on the lips.
After the kiss broke Sandra said, “In the cellar here and a few other places throughout the city we have enough Cambar growing to supply us all and keep us supplied all the time.”
“Thank you all.” She moved into the living room. Only once before in her or her life had she felt so welcomed, and that was during Nick’s life whilst she was living in Jarrzar at the party a couple of weeks before she left and went to Rujunvia, ‘I wonder how Tammeria’s getting on?’.
“Darla also has something for you,” said Abs smiling similar smiles as Sandra, Paul and the rest of the people.

*****

Tom looked up when the door had opened and Paul had moved to stand beside the door. He stared as the new arrival walked in. He saw Paul place a patar around her neck and then Abs wrapped a belt with a pouch on around her waist. After moving away from the pair she turned and gave a kiss to Sandra who returned the kiss. He saw Paul was smiling more than anyone else at this action. The kiss broke and the woman entered the living room proper, where he saw her take the tin from her pouch and load the pipe.
He thought, ‘When I walked into the party I was in heaven,’ but to look at the newest arrival he knew he was missing something in his life. He got up and walked over, asking, “May I ask your name madam?”
“You may,” the woman’s replied, “My name is Nibola Calton or Nibs for short.”
“Hang on, I know that voice.” He stared in utter shock as he realised he was taking to Nick, but this was not Nick. “Nick?” he exclaimed and asked at the same time.
“Nick — who’s Nick?” came Nis’ reply, “Nick is dead. Nibs now inhabits this body.”
He heard true confidence in her voice and the slight slouch Nick had was gone, Nibs stood straight and held her head high. “You’ve changed Nick somehow Sandra.” ‘I wish I had someone who would do that for me.’ He was unhappy inside as he had a feeling he would never find true love. The kiss Nibs had given Sandra showed true love, love for an equal.

*****

Nibs looked at Tom as he returned to his seat, and saw that even though Tom hid it well, he was unhappy. ‘One day Tom, I think this evening is me being invited to join and for you to be helped.’ Darla stood up closely followed by Angel and Damieel. As the pair walked just behind Darla, she looked at them seeing two very happy identical females. Darla was carrying a long box with the clip to open it facing her. Darla held the box so she could open it, inside was an eight-inch combat survival knife and scabbard. Angel and Damieel both moved around Darla and kissed her on each cheek. She moved to the seat Jonathan and Michella had vacated for her and Sandra. She saw everyone in the room was smiling at welcoming a new member. She knew that this day she had left the world of a loner and entered the world where the whole of the Gangrel Street Gang was her friend.

*****

15th Juwar 02:00BN
At two in the morning Paul suggested, “Let’s go and have some fun with the vents.”
The thirteen people who were still enjoying the party all stood smiling, as this had turned into a great party, the welcoming or a new member, and now having fun with the ‘Vents’.
“Yeah,” responded a few of the party goers as they stood up to follow him.
He headed into the bedroom corridor and grabbed the leather jackets and holster rigs from the coat hooks just inside the door. Abs and Tina both headed for their room which was beside the side door. After he had passed all the remaining jackets out, he headed for the farthest door on the opposite side of the corridor to Sandra’s and Tina’s and Abs’ room. He walked out, a couple of minutes later wearing his holster which hung from his belt just in front of his pouch. On the opposite side was a second open topped pouch, in it were four magazines. Paul was sliding his left arm into his jacket. When he had walked into the living room, Darla passed him a communication system, which he clipped to his belt just behind the magazine pouch. He then passed the wires up his back and over his shoulder. Abs followed by Tina walked into the living room wearing their jackets and communication systems.

Whilst the others were moving she stood and waited for her jacket and communication system. Sandra headed for her bedroom and grabbed the two leather jackets Sandra and her had worn earlier that evening.

Sandra also took a second shoulder holster rig from the hook beside the door. When she came back into the living room, she threw the shoulder holster and leather jacket to Nibs.

Nibs slipped the shoulder holster on. She saw Abs walk back into the living room and head for her carrying a second pistol. Her hand grasped around the outside of the trigger guard. In her other hand was four magazines. Abs handed her an Echo Delt .357 heavy automatic pistol along with the 4 magazines.
“That’s yours Nibs, a welcome to the Bitch Vixens present,” said Abs as she smiled and slid the pistol home into the holster.
She felt good and happy to be welcomed.
“How are you with an SMG?” asked Sandra when she had finished putting her jacket on. She was carrying a HK77 SMG.
“Don’t know, why?”
“When we go out having fun I normally use this.” She showed her the HK77 SMG, “Or an M22 Assault Carbine.”
An evil grin spread across the her face. Sandra passed the weapon to her along with five full blank firing magazines. She slipped the sling over her head and right shoulder. She moved the weapon to her back and took the magazines Sandra had handed her. These went into the two front pockets of her jacket. She clipped the pockets closed and zipped up the front of her jacket and followed everyone else out of the house and down the steps.
As she walked out of the house she heard Darla ask, “You coming Tom or are you staying here?”
“How can I? I’ve not got a jacket or bike.” replied Tom.
“You have now.” Paul disappeared towards his room, and returned with a leather jacket, which he passed to Tom.
“Transport?” was the next question that came from Tom.
“You can ride with me Tom,” replied Darla.

*****

The group, which included three large motor-trikes and seven motor-bikes drove through the streets towards one of the many corporate housing estates that existed along the borders of South Central and Richmond Park District. The estates were smart, clean and well maintained. Most of the habitation blocks were either prefab single storey homes or ten/eleven storey tower blocks gleaming with glass, clean steel and concrete. Each street and road they drove through was well maintained with tarmac, the pot-holes were quickly filled and repaired. The pavements were again in much better state than the ones in South Central. The trees and in places borders of bushes were planted in specifically created areas and not just sticking through the pavements and the roots splitting the pavement as they snaked through the ground.
The group played chase as one would roar through the estates with the rest of the group following a few seconds behind. At some junctions they stopped.
She loaded the first blank round. As Paul wheel span in the middle of the group she pulled the trigger and aimed the barrel into the air. The kick from the action working and the spent casing being thrown clear went into her elbow. Her knowledge of her own body and the limited control she had over it, she tensed up the skin and muscles which lessened the impact of the kick against the elbow. The blank firing making as much noise as the real bullets but with out the risk of a bullet hitting a civilian as it came back to earth.
The group which now numbered ten motorbikes, five motor-trikes and a heavy open top convertible pulled up in the car-park belonging to three corporate owned housing tower blocks. Sandra drove into the middle of the circle formed and after she had loaded the forth magazine, Sandra selected second, pulled and locked the front brake. As she fired the first round Sandra revved the engine high and released the clutch and the rear wheel started to spin. She released the throttle and grabbed it again before it could fully reset and the engine stall, and revved the engine high again pushing the revvs towards the red line.
From the convertible came the sweet sounds of The Huntress’ song, ‘To Die Old is a Sin’.
As Sandra took the bike around in a circle, she could see Tom was loving it.

Tom knew when Tina had asked him to come he knew the party was going to be fun, he enjoyed being around the Giths and Gangrels, they knew how to have a good time and pretty much enjoyed life. The only down side of going to South Central High was the Aces and the bullying he had drawn the brunt of, he wasn’t very big and like Nick and more than likely Nibs, he hated footbaal, he hated most sports really. As Sandra completed her first three sixty the group including him shouted one and half way through her second he saw the security guards begin to move as they had started to receive complaints from the residents. On a few of the balconies stood adults who were looking down angry at the scene of the various motor vehicles revving engines and playing heavy rock very loud. He tapped Darla on the shoulder and pointed at the security officers as they headed for the doors.
Darla spoke over the communication system, “Security.”
He grabbed the hold strap as all the bikes dropped into first and pulled away, a few selected second and as they pulled away either wheel spun as they slowly released the front brakes or pulled wheelies as they headed for the route out of the car-park. The convertible’s rear wheels span as it left the car-park.

Around 03:00BN the group, which had a couple more bikes both with passengers returning home after clubbing on the alternative scene, returned to the house. The group were all laughing at some of the antics they did.
Pretty much the rest of the weekend was they same, members of the scene calling and going, but the core of the Bitch Vixens, Tom, and three other people just kept the party ticking over.

*****

16th Juwar 10:00AN
As Darla, Angel and Damieel walked out of the door, Paul and Sandra were standing in the middle of the living room. Nibs, Tina were sat on the sofa down the bedroom wall and Abs was sat on the one that divided the coffee table and the projector screen area from the rest of the room.
As Damieel closed the door Abs turned said, “Sandra, you know what. As Frodar was the last day of term for us, we should go to school tomorrow and give a certain few students our goodbye presents.”
“I hope that includes me. I wouldn’t mind thanking a few people who need to be thank for the last nine months of hell.” Nibs was smiling her evil smile as she made a mental list of people who deserved thanking. At the top was Gary McKrudder 6 feet 4 inches of Defensive Back, as weak as the next guy when facing someone trained in street fighting and who has nothing to loose. In second place was Simoine Potter a fellow Defensive Back but he also had a fast set of legs when chasing Tight Receivers, but like McKrudder was weak as 95% of all people. All it would take was a few simple effective kicks and punches to the right spots on the body and both would be on their backs. Third place went to Detric Pots the team’s main Strike Thrower. She had seen Detric practice boxing in the Gym and he also taught some of the students, especially if they were from the team. ‘Take out a boxers legs and he’s yours for the taking.’
“Yeah?” Sandra responded, “I can think of a few people who need a goodbye present. Tina, Abs?”
“Yeah I think a few people need a goodbye gift of some kind?” each responded.

*****

After the five had spent a couple of hours sorting out the living room, Abs, Tina and Paul had gone to bed leaving Sandra and her sat in the living room as lovers do, cuddling up to each other. They had said nothing for the last fifteen minutes, but they were still exploring each other. Being displayed on the screen were some patterns changing as the music from the computer changed and travelled the path the composer had written for it.
Sandra asked, “How do you feel my love?”
“How do I feel?” She paused and thought about her answer. “I feel welcomed, wanted, supported.”
Sandra smiled at the answer she gave. “I am so happy that you accepted the offer, especially after the last ten months.”
“The last ten months outside school were good, and sometimes in school as well. The last ten months were the cumulation of the last six years.”
“You must have had some adventures and met some very interesting people indeed.”
“Oh yes, I’ll tell you some of them, I’m tired hun and need some sleep as I want to be on my best behaviour for tomorrow and the present giving.”
“Yes we should get some sleep, the weekend has been the best party in quite a while. I wish Amy and Bill had been able to make it, I think they would have enjoyed themselves as well.”
They got up and Sandra led her to her bedroom and when the door was closed on the outside world. She turned the main light block down to a low light which you could see enough to enjoy each other.
Sandra span her round along with lightly pushing her across the room until the back of her knees hit the edge of the bed and she sat down. Sandra stood standing over her as she looked up at her life partner. Sandra then lent over and pulled off the top she was wearing. As her lips came into view Sandra again kissed her, this time with a bit more pressure. Her tongue lightly stroked across her lips which opened and let Sandra’s tongue in and she also returned the favour. The kiss became passionate. The pair then undressed and climbed into bed and fell into a peaceful sleep in each other’s arms.

*****

As she dropped off into a peaceful sleep laying on the bed next to Sandra she was thinking, ‘I have found my life partner, I know I have.’

If you are new to The Making of Nibs, I would suggest you go back and look at look at the previous chapters.

Chapter 13 — Misty’s

After ten minutes more of driving, both Tina and Sandra turned down an alleyway close to the address Misty had given them. As they approached a courtyard area they saw stood outside the back of one of the blocks were two females in their early-twenty’s. One of the pair was dressed in combat fatigue trousers and a vest top; the other had a pair of cut-offs on and a t-shirt with the logo for Echo Weapons on the front. They both had pistols stuffed down their trousers at the back. As the two bikes slowed and entered the small courtyard behind the building, the two girls smiled. The four friends saw the rest of the group had also just arrived and were putting the various assault weapons away in the various hides.
Surrounding the courtyard were a five 5- or 6-storey buildings, some with fire escapes leading to the court yard, others without. The yard area also had a couple of large dumpsters and lots of bags filled with rubbish. The one light was over the open door, illuminating a small set of stairs that led up to the doorway.
The girl wearing the cut-offs approached the group and asked, “Nibs?”
When the girl approached, Nibs was handing the two M22s to Sandra who removed the magazines and stowed them in the ammunition hide and then placed the two M22s in their hide and locked them in place. Sandra then closed and locked the lid of the hide and dropped the seat back into place.
When the girl had asked the question Nibs looked at her and saw her blonde hair was tied into a high pony tail. She then looked at the other girl and saw she had short brown hair. “Yeah.”
With that answer the girl smiled.
After all the weapons were away and the group had conjugated together she said, “Welcome to the Raiders Den.”
She led the group to the open door and went up the stairs that lay just inside the door. The second woman brought up the rear and made sure the outside door was closed. The stairs were made from concrete and had water stains and small pools of water in the corners and along the edges. On the first half-landing was a small low-wattage bulb that was flickering as if it was about to pop and die. The walls were painted white and in places had either dulled or had flaked off revealing the plaster beneath. As the group followed the girl up the stairs, she glanced at Darla and she could see that Darla had a contented smile as if she was looking forward to seeing someone. She wondered why Darla looked that way and turned and whispered in Sandra’s ear, “Why is Darla looking so contented?”
She saw Sandra glance in Darla’s direction and saw the same face as she had. “No idea.”
When the group reached the third floor they went through the fire escape door, a sign hung from the ceiling, just inside, read ‘Raiders Den, Beware all who enter “PMT IN EFFECT”’. The corridor ran from the fire escape door to the front of the building, at the far end they could see a partially boarded-up window. The door nearest the fire escape was open and the latest release from band ‘The Huntress’ was coming from inside. The other female walked past the group and followed the first woman into the apartment. Just inside the door was a small cloakroom where everyone hung their outdoors jackets and left their shoulder holster rigs.
The inside of the apartment was painted in a light cream colour with a few pictures and a couple of pieces of modern art hanging on the walls. The kitchen was off to one side, and you could hear the coffee percolator on the go, along with the kettle boiling away.
“Welcome all, you found us then?” came a husky woman’s voice from the kitchen. The rest of the room was clean and tidy and had a few good seats and lots of large cushions and bean bags lying about. Both girls went and dropped on to a couple of the chairs. Sitting on a three-seater sofa was another girl and a fourth was lounging on some large cushions. In the middle was a low large table.
As Nibs walked into the room she saw a large glass tank, which was sat on a stand against the outside back wall. Sleeping against the glass was large snake! Its head was looking out over the room. The instant she saw the snake she started to sweat and she started to breathe controlled breaths concentrating on controlling her reaction. ‘This is not the place to reveal my phobia of snakes.’
She saw Sandra look around and she knew she had seen the current state of her, with the beads of sweat and her expression was one of concentration. Sandra’s face went from a happy one to a very concerned one. Nibs noticed Sandra’s face and smiled at her. She then moved into the room proper sat down after looking at the tank.
“Yeah we found the place, thanks,” said Gary.
After she had sat on a bean bag and Sandra had sat behind her. Sandra moved so her mouth was close to her ear and enquired, “What’s up?”
“I have a phobia of snakes, I’ll tell you back at the house,” she replied.
“Coffee, Tea?” asked a fifth girl standing in the kitchen entrance.
Nibs saw Tina look at her and she then asked, “You ok Nibs?”
“Yeah,” she replied quietly so not to let other’s know about it, “I think I must be just coming down off the high, you have had far more experience than I have. That was my first time in live fire combat.”
“True we have,” replied Sandra to her statement and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
Darla looked and semi ran over to the girl in the door to the kitchenette and threw her arms around the girl and gave her a hug. “Misty.” Nibs saw Darla’s face which was a big smile.
“Hey.” Misty had a smile on her face as well. “Darla. What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m a Gangrel and member of the Bitch Vixens Unit, which happens to be everyone I arrived with.”
Misty just stared at Darla. “Where you a member when me and you were dating?”
“Yes I was, that was the reason why I was sometimes not around for ages at a time.”
“Bloody Hell.” Misty gently shook her head at the information. “You should have told me I would have joined you lot and helped you kick some gang arse. Yeah, drinks, what’s everyone having?”
The drink orders were given and they all found seats, either on the other sofas cushions or the bean bags. After a couple of minutes both Darla and Misty passed out the drinks.
“The kitchen is there. We have coffee, tea, squash, some booze in the fridge. We don’t stand on formalities, if you want a drink, get one and anyone else who wants one too,” said Misty.
“Some introductions are in order I think,” said Paul after sipping his coffee.
“Yeah you’re right,” responded Misty. “I think it’s easier if each of us tells you who we are.”
“Hi, I’m Bee, the units computer and communications expert.” She had short dark brown hair, round face and green eyes. ; she also had a small amount of obvious cyberwear, it lay just beneath the skin and was visible around her eyes and running down the sides of her neck. She wore a pair of cut-off trousers and a Sports bra-cum-top.
“Watch ya. I’m Angelique,” said the blond-haired girl who had met them downstairs. She waved at the group and took another sip of her drink which looked very similar to juice.
The other girl from downstairs said, “Hi I’m Rachel, I’m the team’s weapons expert.”
The last girl, with long silver-white plaited hair that stretched to her knees, she was also dressed like Bee, said, “Hello all, I’m known as Gretz and I’m a jack of all trades.”
Misty was wearing a green stringy top and dark red velvet trousers, and sat down on one of the two available seats.
Gary introduced the friends to all the Raiders and got a massive Hi from all present.
Angelique was sitting opposite Nibs and Sandra, and saw her face was one, asking, are you or are you not? She then said, “It’s nice to see someone brave enough to say fuck off to the world and be who they are and not what society expects.”
“I agree.” Misty looked at her and also smiled and nodded her approval.
“That’s a point, you heard the news, some creature was rampaging through a tower block, earlier, and we saw the setup for some serious operation,” said Sandra.
“Shit, no. Switch the tele on someone,” said Misty as her hand went for the remote on the table and she changed the channel to Digital News.
The tele was put on and soon displayed Digital News, one of the main international news channels. It was covering the exact story from both a copter and ground crews, on the screen was one of the ground reporters who was lucky enough to be inside the perimeter and inside one of the command vehicles. He was reporting on the deployment of four power-armour equipped Echo Tech Inc Security Troops into the target building. He was carrying a shoulder mounted cam and was watching the various screens which were displaying the viewpoint of the four troopers as they entered the building. At that point it was cut back to the anchorman in the studio. “Bill, what’s it like on the streets?”
“Pandemonium at the mo, Security forces are engaging a small well-armed group of fanatics that look as if they where following something related to the creature. It looks like the Security forces are beginning to get the upper hand with the arrival of two Applom Gunships from Echo Special Security.” A loud explosion was heard as a pair of rockets hit one of the enemy strong-points and destroyed it.
Nibs thought ‘What the Fuck? A bit excessive sending in an Applom Gunships.’
The screen went back to show the studio, displayed along the bottom of the screen was a breaking news line which read, ‘A mini mall was involved in a armed robbery and explosion’. The anchorman said, “In a breaking news story from Grand South District. Earlier this evening a mini-mall was involved in a hold up. The robbers destroyed it with when a grenade exploded killing seven including the manager and injuring four. The group responsible have already been arrested by Echo Tech security forces after a local group of civilians made some citizen arrests. No others are being sought in connection, but a group of youths reported as assisting in the citizens’ arrests have been asked to contact the nearest Echo Tech Security base so their part in the incident can be learned and ruled out of further investigations.”
“Oh well, at least we still have some good citizens,” said Bee in response to the story.
“Thank you Bee,” said Sandra.
“What?” Bee looked quizzically at Sandra.
“Thank you for your comment; we are the group who they are talking about.”
“Oh. Ok,” said Gretz. Her eyes opened widely in surprise. “What happened?”
The four girls told Misty’s raiders the events that had transpired that evening.
“I’m impressed.” Misty’s face was one of being impressed with the operation and outcome.
“Down to business before we chill and enjoy ourselves I think,” suggested Bee looked around the room at everyone.
“Before we came here we spent this afternoon trying to work out who would want to either stop Narizzan from delivering the rifle, or to somehow get a copy of it for reverse engineering. We were turning up empty on all fronts,” Nibs said looking directly at Misty.
“That don’t surprise me, if the information we have is correct, Narizzan is owned via three other companies all of which are under the control of The Dark Brotherhood,” replied Misty whilst looking at her.
She looked very concerned at this piece of information, as from the few reports she had read on BlackNet, said that the Dark Brotherhood were a group not to be messed with.
“From what my group have been able to learn, the rifle incorporates some seriously advanced systems that somehow change the bullet into a ball of plasma and accelerates it to speeds in the realm of 1500ft/s.”
“Fecking hell!” Paul looked very concerned at this news.
“Yeah I think so.” Misty looked at where Paul was sitting, she then looked back at the rest of the Vixens. “I don’t know how much you guys know about the target site.”
“A little, Nibs and Sandra went and took a lot of photos of the site.” Gary was smiling whilst he was looking at her.
She noticed this and smiled ‘Thank you’ in reply. She then looked back at Misty. “Yeah,10gigs worth of high quality images and video.”
“Have you got it here?” asked Bee who then stood up and turned towards the door way.
She checked her pockets for the two memory cards. “Yes I have.” She showed the two memory cards.
“That’s useful,” responded Bee as she disappeared out of the door.
“How much do you know about our mission?” asked Angelique who was looking at where Tina and Abs were sitting.
“Not much other than you been employed to destroy a lab or something,” replied Sandra.
“Yes we have, the lab is conducting research into some form of bio-weapon.” Misty also looked at where Tina and Abs were sitting. “The weapon is very advanced and involves some very advanced genetic work.”
After a bit of a pause while drinks were sipped, Misty continued, “From what we have been able to learn about the site the weapon is stored in a vault on the third floor in the head of R&D’s office, and is protected by a couple of enhanced attack dogs.”

*****

For a couple of hours they brain-stormed and looked at the pictures.
“I think it’s time you saw the facilities we have here,” said Misty. “I take it Nibs you know about computers and electronics?”
“Yeah,” she responded.
“Follow me,” said Bee. Both Bee and Misty got up and turned towards the door.
“Nibs ain’t the only one good at electronics and computers,” said Tina.
“Sorry,” said Bee.
“No worries,” responded Tina.
“Angelique, show the others the rest of the apartments on this level.” Misty stood and led Nibs and Tina out of the door.
“Ok Misty,” responded Angelique.
Tina and Nibs followed Misty and Bee into Apartment 3, they entered the main living room. They saw Bee stepping on to a raised pedestal to sit in a laid back chair. Above it was a collection of some advanced looking electronics.
Nibs looked at it and quizzically asked, “Neural feed?”
“Not quite,” replied Bee as she picked up a small fibre optic cable and slipped it into a port just under her right ear.
“Neural induction,” replied Misty. “Very advanced.”
Bee then picked up a strange looking item from a shelf behind where the head rested. She placed it on her head and then moved it around slightly as if settling it.
It looked like a fashion item that one of the new rich would wear. It consisted on three prongs, one running down both sides of the head and over the top in the centre. Suddenly surrounding Bee appeared a holographic representation of a control system.
“The entire chair, the three interlinked dual processor boards over there, and the 4048terra gigs of active storage are connected to a full NetDeck suite along with a few non-released pieces of software from some very good friends of mine,” replied Misty who was standing behind a large desk which had, what looked like to her, a Net Interface Control Centre. On the desk was seven monitors and five extra computers and various other pieces of equipment most of it was off. “You ready yet dear?”
“Yeah now.”
After a couple of seconds of quiet as the software executed the various functions it had to do before a person went active NetRiding. Flashing up the screen were a stream of very fast characters.

Tina who stood with Misty was looking at the screen and as the words, commands and parimeters scrolled up the screen. She was in shock as her eyes were actually reading the words as they flew up the screen, but her brain was working fast enough to actually understand them. She had no idea as to what they meant, but she knew what each one was. After a few seconds she looked away and blinked a few times and then looked at Bee as she was also looking at the list of commands.

Nibs walked so she could see the computers and monitors and saw the screen Misty was looking at was displaying a small room with an open doorway. “Net access opened, integrating digital subprograms, analogue-to-digital conversion of baseline thought processes,” said Misty and she paused for a few and as the screen started to display items again. Misty continued to read from the monitor. “Initializing graphics.” The holographic changed to that of the room and stood in the middle was a figure that walked towards the exit.
Misty turned to where Tina and her were standing watching the various operations and actions. “The head gear Bee is wearing is a neural induction helmet. As Bee thinks about walking she sees herself walking, even though she is sitting in the chair. The fibre optic cable is so the system can monitor Bee’s health and also provide system information directly to the user’s optic nerves.”
“Bloody hell!” Nibs said and turned to face Misty, her face was one of utter shock. “A couple of the Tech Journals I get have said that this type of control was decades away.”
“Not if you know the right people Nibs.” Misty smiled and turned back to look at Bee in the middle of the room.
Bee said from the rig, “What attack programs have I got loaded?”
“Standard Combat Alpha,” replied Misty.
“Load Close Zulo Misty,” requested Bee.
“No problem,” replied Misty and typed a few keys on the keyboard and on the screen was displayed the current actions. When the data files were loaded Misty said, “It’s loaded.”
Then Bee raised her finger, pressed some unseen thing and a menu appeared. She then scrolled down it until she reached the entries for motorbike and one appeared next to her, she climbed on and drove away.
After a few minutes she arrived at the area she wanted to go.
“Nibs, Tina. Do you see the doors on the front of the buildings?” asked Bee.
“Yeah we can, Bee,” Nibs replied.
“They are the entryways to different net hubs, inside the single door are lots of doors, some open, some closed, where the owners of the computers or networks access the net from. The big tower blocks normally indicate Corporate Hubs.”
“Right,” she responded. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Tina nod in reply as well.
The scene that was displayed looked like a busy street with cars, people and various items moving around.
“Here we are,” said Bee whilst she was standing in front of a 10-storey building. “Drop off the system clone Misty.”
“Will do Bee,” replied Misty and after a few seconds of very quiet noise, an exact duplicate of Bee appeared; which walked into the building, the screen, Misty was looking at, split in two. On one side was the original, the other - the clone. The clone’s image reduced to a small window in the top left corner. In the main screen Bee climbed back on to her bike again and headed off down the street. Very soon she pulled up outside a tall office block, went down the alleyway and approached a small door in the alleyway, which she opened and walked in through. Misty then said as Bee was entering a room. “Our backdoor into Narrizan Inc.” After entering a small room, she accessed the personnel name files for all the people who worked in the site.
After a few minutes of information flashing up the screen as Bee read the pile of personnel files, Bee left the building. Outside after closing the door she then dropped the menu down and pressed the very top item and the holographic display disappeared and Bee removed the helmet and then pulled the fibre-optic cable from her neck.
“That was a good run, is the clone still running Misty?”
After checking the screens, “Yes it is Bee. It looks like the program worked.”

*****

Sandra and the rest of the group followed Angelique, Rachel and Grezt as they had shown the group the armoury and training facilities they had access to. It was impressive coupled with the fact that they had an active firing range and combat house.
“Anyone want to have a go?” asked Angelique.
“Me!!” both Paul and her said together.
“Grab a couple of weapons and load up on magazines and grenades and follow me, the rest of you go in to the firing range and watch the fun on the monitors.”
“All the targets are cardboard and none of the active weapons are armed,” said Angelique said staring at Grezt.
“I’ll make sure now.” Staring back then she disappeared into the house.
“Ok you two, have you seen the show Echo Tactical?” asked Angelique.
“Yes we have,” answered Paul.
“Treat it like the hostage rescue. Kick door, grenade, and then in and shoot. One high, one low.”
The pair nodded enthusiastically.
“Right then, let’s play.”
Both of them loaded up with a HK10SD each and 9mm high-powered pistol, eight magazines for the HK10, four for the pistol, and 6 flash-bang grenades each. They both put on active goggles and combat helmets. Angelique went behind them both and plugged the camera and communications into the digital transmitter.
“You guys got the pictures and sound?” shouted Angelique.
“Yeah we have,” came back the reply.
“Good, let’s play.”
As both of them walked up to the door and prepared to go in, Paul took one of the flash bangs out and read the fuse length, which read 5 seconds, which was printed on the bottom. He moved to stand to one side, she stood facing the door. He brought the flash bang up and pulled the pin and said, “Three seconds on my mark sis.”
“Done bro.” she responded. He released the safety catch and when Sandra had counted three seconds she brought her boot up and banged the door open she then flattened herself against the opposite wall.
As the door opened he sent the flash bang in and as it was in the air it detonated. The second the flash bang had gone off, the pair span around the frame with him standing and Sandra knelt down. She shot twice, hitting both the armed targets followed up by four more from his HK10. After they had secured that room they went to the next door and reversed the actions. He kicked the door and Sandra sent the flash bang in.
After completing the course they both came out, and they had evil smiles on their faces and were very happy. Waiting outside the door were everyone, and they all had smiles.
“Enjoy that?” asked Angelique.
“Yeah, loved it,” they both said.
“I think you may be back here a lot practising. The house is fully equipped with battle-ready target dummies.”
“That sounds great.”
At that Misty, Nibs, Tina and Bee walked out of the high tech lab, “I think it is a go, so meet back here in a couple of weeks and we will start to plan the raid, I think it could be successful” said Misty.
“Yeah,” responded the group, and all of them traipsed back into the living room of the main apartment, and spent the rest of the evening getting to know the other team and enjoying the company of fellow ghosts.

*****

When the guys had arrived back at Homebase, Darla and the twins unfolded the sofa bed and Gary got cushions out of chairs and set them up as his bed. Nibs grabbed the tablet and took it with her to the bedroom. The others all wandered to their rooms.
After a short while, Abs knocked on Sandra’s door and asked, “You two awake?”
“Yes we are,” Nibs replied, “Come in you two.”
After Abs and Tina quietly walked in, Abs asked her, “How did you know it was the two of us and not just me?”
“I heard you two whispering in the corridor about not waking Paul, Gary, Darla and the twins up.”
“Ok, but how did you hear us through a closed door?” responded Tina.
“I have no idea,” she said, “but both I and Sandra want to tell about some changes in the two of us .”
“And we two want to tell you about some things we’ve been suffering from,” said Abs.
“Ok,” said Sandra. “You first.”
The pair sat on the two easy chairs which they dragged over to the where the pair was sitting.
“Ok,” said Abs. “It started a few months ago, my vision has gotten far superior than it used to be. I can see things clearly at far greater distance; my hearing has also gotten far better. I could hear Paul, Gary and Darla talking during the takedown, and I could hear a couple of security officers talking earlier,” said Abs.
“I’m getting similar things happen to me,” said Tina.
“I overheard the female figure from the first stop talking to that controller, I know what escaped and they where trying to contain,” said Sandra.
“What was it?” asked Abs.
“It’s one of these,” Nibs said and showed everyone what an artist’s impression of a conservator looked like. “It looks like someone had been able to draw one from memory.” She then scrolled the screen and slightly further down was one in what looked like full combat flow.
“Hell. That thing looks nasty,” said Sandra.
“From the write up it is nasty, four arms, tail, mouth, claws, plus skin that’s like natural armour, and it’s supposed to be able to withstand a full burst from a heavy rail gun. This may also be of interest as well, I have the full specs of the assault rifle. It’s far nastier than even Misty said.”
“What Misty described weren’t bloody nice,” said Tina.
“Yeah I know,” she said. “When Misty said it was a plasma weapon, I remember seeing some posts about a weapon that was stolen from the Academy, a secretive research centre that only does research for Street Ghosts and ghost teams. Its weapons and equipment are far superior to what is available on open market.” She paused to accept the Cambar cigarette Sandra had been smoking. “The weapon is a plasma assault rifle, it’s quite capable of cutting through nearly all current body armour and quite likely the armour of Darra Von’s military vehicles. To give you some idea of the technology available to some Street Ghost teams, Black Light coating for armour, armour quite capable of surviving a burst from an MA series weapon.”
“Feck!” exclaimed Tina, Abs and Sandra together.
“And from what you have described to me it sounds like we are all, all four of us, undergoing the adept transformation. The one thing which is strange there’s none of the usual side-effects though, the increased breathing, very fast reactions all the time. It looks as if we have a way of controlling it. I’ve been feeling similar things to all of you, improved hearing and such, how far it will go, I have no idea,” she said, “I studied adepts eight months ago. A couple of people, not ghosts I may add, asked me to look into adepts to see what had already been done in the way of research. I think with the aim of producing a paper or similar into weather or not the Adept Transformation could be cured or if they could stave off the burnout that all adepts seem to suffer from after six to seven years.”
“I know the research you are talking about,” said Tina, “I wrote a general studies essay on adepts and the lives they lead.”
“Not nice is it?” she asked.
“No,” responded Tina.
“I think we keep this a secret from everyone else until we know what is happening to us far better. I’ve emailed Tiamus and have asked if he would meet me, at least to discuss some of these things.”
Tina then said, “Nibs, earlier at Misty’s you weren’t on a come down. I’ve been in enough combats to know that wasn’t a comedown.”
“No it weren’t, I have a phobia of snakes and the one at Misty’s freaked me a bit.”
“Good,” responded Sandra, “I thought it was serious.”
“Depends on how serious you think a phobia is after being bitten by a Spinnayan Ridgehead.”
“You’re kidding,” said Abs as she passed Abs the Cambar cigarette.
“No I’m not, I was out learning how to survive with a couple of friends, one reared up and bit me in the leg. Thankfully the adult with us, Nimbo, had a dose of anti-venom. Then a few weeks later a tree snake falls on me and hisses right in my ear and I freak. Thankfully due to other friends I made on my journeys I’m able to control it when one is in captivity and I can see the case.”
Abs and Tina both left and Sandra and her both lay down to sleep. After a few minutes Sandra was asleep, she got up and took the tablet off standby and connected to the net. She knew that her email would bring a response very quickly from Tiamus. It did, on the screen flashed the messenger window, ‘Hi you, how can I help you?’ was displayed, Nibs typed a return, ‘Voice??’ Tiamus replied, ‘yes’ and switched on the voice system and plugged the microphone and earpiece into the tablet so not to wake Sandra.
“Hi Nibs,” said Tiamus.
“Hi to you too.”
“I still remember the conversations we had when I was researching things for Damien, How much of what we talked about is true?”
“All of it,” said Tiamus. “The rumours about the Academy being a research centre is partly true; it’s a school for the best of the best Street Ghosts. You Nibs have been selected to attend.”
“What I am going to tell you now must not go any further.”
“One problem, Sandra my life partner overheard a lieutenant taking to a controller in a van at an incident earlier this evening; we know Echo Tech Inc was trying to destroy a Conservator.”
The link went quiet; Tiamus said “Feck,” he paused, “How much you planning on telling everyone else?”
“Abs and Tina also know, and they have been suffering from what I think may be the first signs of Adept transformation, except without the normal side effects of increased energy burn.”
“How far do you think it’s progressed?”
“Improved vision, hearing in Abs, Tina, and Sandra, my reaction times are improving, drastically. I’m almost seeing things as they happen, and reacting to it as well.”
“We need to meet, me, you, Sandra, Abs, and Tina. I have some things that you must hear, and I will leave it up to you how much you tell the rest of the group.” Tiamus paused. “I’m not exactly free until the night of Ulleam 17th Auar. I’m currently training for a major street fight with Surabon.”
“Ulleam 17th Auar, that’s my birthday. Where’s the fight going to happen?”
“Club Millana in Bariskin District.”
“I’ll see you then. Chat to you soon Tiamus.”
“It ain’t Tiamus; I use it as a cover when I am ghosting sometimes; my real name and the name I fight under is Richard Chancer. I hope to see you that evening, I’ll let the bouncers know you and your friends will be coming, just go to the main door and say you are guests of Richard Chancer and they will let you through. Chat to you soon Nibs, and be careful.”

Chapter 14 - Explorations

20th Juwar
The morning after the trip to Misty’s, Nibs woke early, mind you, she hadn’t exactly slept either. She had spent most of the evening thinking about things she was told by Richard C, from what research she had done after Sandra had fallen asleep and the chat to Richard. ‘How much of what we discussed during Nick’s time with Raiders was true, Richard said all of it, was Richard preparing her for something back then? Is the fact I’ve been selected to attend the Academy mean the rest of the Vixens are going. I’m not going anywhere with out Sandra.’ She got up and a half-smoked a blunt, sat on the edge of the bedside table. ‘My head is spinning and the head ache’, “Fecking hell, would someone stop the jackhammer” she whispered to no one. When she actually did move she did it purposefully, she wanted to see the area, sightsee, but not the tourist sights. If she was to live here for a while she wanted to know where she lived, and the only way to do that was to hit the pavements and walk, and very soon she would be able to use a bike of some kind, but today she wanted to know where she lived.
She then spent the next thirty minutes getting ready for the day. She put on a pair of nightcamo combat pants, black tight top, her leather jacket, which still had to be embroidered with her symbol, the Black Fairy. She picked up her shoulder holster and made sure her pistol had a full magazine and four spare ones too. She debated whether or not to carry the HK, but decided against it, she opted for her two short staffs, given to her by Jum-Fu when she had left Jarrzar, her short staves and cross were the only two gifts she had kept; all the others she had left behind or given to people who would take care of them. The last two items she grabbed was her PDU, which she took from its charger on her bedside table, and Sandra’s keys, which would mean she could lock up.
Just as she closed the bedroom door she heard Tina wake. She then realised Tina would be moving towards the kitchen very soon. She stepped down the hallway carrying her boots; she would put them on when she had closed the back door. She was also hoping that Tina wouldn’t realise someone was leaving. She closed the backdoor just as the door to Tina and Abs’ room was opened. When she heard the door to the living room close she slid the key in and locked the backdoor. She then put her boots on, turned and walked down the side of the house and up onto the minor road that run in front of the house.
She realised that this exploration was going to be different, as she knew she would probably not be moving again for a long while, but it also would tell her the quick escape routes should things get hairy at times. She took out her PDU, opened the local area map pages, found the house and zoomed out one level; from this level she saw turning left would be an interesting direction to go.
She started a brisk walk across the street towards the main road. As she approached the main road one of the two older youths she had seen yesterday when leaving for Misty’s came out of her front door and called, “Hang on.”
She stopped and waited for her to catch up.
“Hi,” she said when she had caught up, “I’m Amy, you are?”
“Nibola Calton, Nibs to my friends.”
“Hi Nibs,” and after a short pause, “I remember you now, both me and my brother Bill saw you yesterday riding pillion with Sandra.”
“Yeah you did.”
From what she could see the clothes were similar to the ones Nick had worn, non descript and the sheer fact she was carrying a rucksack she looked like she was going to school. “You off to school?”
“Yeah, one of the City-run dumps. I wish Sam, my stepmother, hadn’t disappeared. We lost her income; she was a PA for a Rotork VP, which paid for me to attend the Rotork Academy.”
“Any idea why she left?”
“No, none. Duggie, my dad, does his best but it isn’t enough some weeks. Bill, my older brother, run’s errands for the dealers on the corner over there, so we can get some food on the table some days. I know one of the regulars wants to get in to my knickers.”
“Bad luck on the Sam issue. You got an up-to-date photo I could borrow. I’ll put the picture up on a few missing person galleries I know of.” She looked more closely at her face and read the expression and manner as one of being depressed with things. She did also wonder if the high school she attended wasn’t helping matters.
“Thanks, the Vixens are some of the best and nicest people I know.”
“Thanks. Hey does Bill attend school?”
“Yeah, if he can be bothered to.”
The pair of them started to walk towards the corner; Nibs stopped and looked up and down the main road, “Just thinking where I am going to go.”
”I’m going towards the fuel-station on 827th Avenue.”
“Ok,” she replied and joined Amy as she walked slowly in the direction of the fuel-station. When the pair reached the first secondary road junction on the opposite side, the pair crossed the main road.
“How come I haven’t seen you with the Vixens before yesterday evening?”
“I only joined the Vixens last Frodar.”
“Oh that party they had, both me and Bill had been invited but Bill was out delivering some drugs, and I didn’t feel like socialising.”
As the pair walked down the secondary road the type of building changed from the wood facia single storey buildings like the one the Vixen’ lived in to at least two storey brick built semi-detached, and the odd single one on its own, town houses. Most had underhouse garages a few had an old car or in most cases car wrecks, not much good for much other than spare parts. In some places the small gardens that families tried to cultivate look pretty nice.
“Not to worry. Many more parties to be had.”
She offered Amy the Cambar cigarette she had been smoking, “I had better warn you it’s pure.”
“Hell why not,” Amy said and stopped and sat on a low wall and started to cry. She sat beside her and wrapped her arm around her so to comfort her.
“What’s wrong, Amy?” she said in a soothing tone.
“I hate going to school just ’cause of where I live, right next door to one of the major drug dealers in the area. I get picked on, mostly name-calling and such. Most of the school thinks I am one of his whores, as he owns nearly all of the neighbourhood, only my home and where you are living are free of his clutches, bar Bill. I keep being asked to get a free sample.” The tears were still streaming down her face.
“Tell you what. I’ll pop to the school one lunchtime and we’ll see how the bullies handle someone like me.”
“Would you do that for me?”
“Yeah, I was also the target for bullies at school. That was until I had finished my exams. Pay back is a bitch.”
“You, bullied, no way?”
“Yeah, anyway you have a bus to catch. If you have any academic problems pop over and I’ll see if I and the Vixens can help you. I was a straight-A student in a few of my subjects, History and Chemistry being two.”
“Thanks,” Amy said and the two of them started to walk again. They reached the fuel-station, as the school bus was just pulling up.
“Hey next time they give you shit tell me.”
“I will, thanks again.”
She just smiled and started walking again. She turned down the secondary road that ran beside the fuel-station, then right and walked into a convenience store to buy something to eat.
The store was a square shape inside, with the backdoor in the back left corner; the walls where lined with magazines and papers, pens, and other things a small convenience store normally sold. She walked up to the cold-cabinet and quickly chose a sausage roll. At the counter she paid for it and left the shop. After leaving the shop she continued on her walk and turned left at the next secondary road junction and walked along that road.

*****

About halfway through her intended walk, she turned a corner and found herself in a cul-de-sac, at the end of which was a large building. It looked like a traditional place of worship, it had a small spire sticking from the roof at the front. She had seen a few on her world travels and read about similar places in religious studies and history, but never seen one up close, she heard singing from the open doors.
She thought, ‘That’s beautiful singing,’ and decided to take a look inside. She opened the inner doors quietly, crept in and found a chair at the back, and just listened to the music, singing and the last thirty minutes of the service.
At the end of the service, as she was about to get up and leave, she caught sight of Abbey also sat at the back. Abbey was wearing a pair of baggies and a plain black short-sleeved top, other than that she looked very much like normal, not the Gangrel she portrayed in school. She got up and went through the door where most of the people had gone. She wandered over, peered though and saw the people who had been sat in the main hall chatting over drinks and biscuits. She saw Abbey standing in the corner, chatting with the person who been standing up the front leading the service. She entered the smaller hall, wandered over to Abbey and said, “Boo,” in her ear.
“Oh, hi,” Abbey said startled, after calming down, she continued, “Hi Nibs, didn’t expect to see you here?”
“No I was out walking the area and heard the singing and music and got drawn to listen.”
“Pastor, allow me to introduce Nibs. Nibs, our pastor Dyane Marttan.”
“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Nibs,” said Dyane to her. “But I shall leave you and your friend to chat,” and the pastor nodded at her and walked away.
“You want a drink Nibs?” asked Abbey.
“Yeah, ok,” she responded and followed Abbey to the hatch where the teas where being served. The hall was light and airy with about fifteen people stood and sat chatting away. After getting a coffee, Abbey and her turned and went to where the mily, sugar and biscuits were, sorting out the sweetness and colours of coffee they wanted. Then they both wandered outside via the side door to the hall where Abbey lit a roll-up.
“What are you doing here really, Nibs?” Abbey asked.
“Honestly, I was out walking the neighbourhood and turned into this street to see if it had an alleyway and heard the singing and music.”
“K, I only ask as I think I am the only Gangrel who attends a Chribian-based church. I know Tina and Paul are both Pagano in outlook. I did think that was the outlook for most of the Vixens.” Abbey took a drag and then took a mouthful of coffee.
“Not me. I follow the Ajarn and that area’s faiths more than the western ones, but I am always up for learning more about the world’s faiths.”
“Arh, so you are open to all faiths?”
“Yes in a way. I feel it’s a part of my journey to learn, combine and understand all faiths.”
“Interesting,” Abbey responded as they were joined by another member of the congregation
“Hi Abbey, who’s your friend?”
“Hi Alan, this is Nibs, someone who is walking the route of the explorer.”
“Right,” Alan said and smiled.
“I think I had better get going,” she said and started to walk towards the front of the church.
“Hang on Nibs, can you pass a message to the Vixens from the Himens.”
“Yeah, no worries.”
“The Aces assaulted Himens' homebase yesterday evening, Tymean asked that I contact all Gangrel units and tell them. Tymean maybe petitioning Central over the assault, as it came during the rush-hour and there could have been civilian casualties. Thankfully very little damage was caused and no casualties were reported. It also looked like the Aces were using live ammo from the MGs mounted on their pickups.”
“Tell Tymean that I will let the Vixens know,” she said in response to Abbey’s statement about the Aces.
“Personally I think Tymean needs to declare a War zone on the Aces to finish this feud once and for all,” Abbey said.
“Ok,” she said and turned back toward the front of the church so she could start her walk back home.
She left the church, walked back down the minor road, turned left, then left again at the main road junction and continued up it, looking around at the various places. Most looked run-down but, a few did look cared for. She crossed the road and walked a short distance to a footpath, turned on to it, and walked to a local piece of open land. She headed for a bench seat nearest the route in and sat down so she could relax in the morning sun.
Thoughts kept whizzing through her mind, always coming back to the same few, the ones she had had this morning when she got up. A new one started to come to the fore as well, it was of an old woman in her 70s, and ‘Nick’ was walking through a Bazaar in native section of Baraish, Ne-U-Bar. She was being chased by a couple of people, ‘what did she say to me?’ She tried to re-call the words. Her edetic memory for conversations was excellent but she did need a reference point. ‘Got it,’ she thought. ‘That I was someone very important to the future, and that I had special gifts that would allow me to truly fight the evil that was coming. Why did those two guys ask me what she had said and told me to wait for them to return.’
After sitting and relaxing in the park for about thirty minutes, she got up and continued up the footpath towards the main road, where she crossed it and walked up another minor road; which contained similar housing to the ones on the street where Home base was. At the other end she turned left and walked down the secondary road towards the road where home base was.
After turning the last but one corner before she would be back on home street, she bumped into Andres Cutters, someone she knew from the work she did with the Cameron Raiders.
“Andres. What are you doing here?” she asked
“Do I know you?” replied Andres looking somewhat startled by the person standing in front of him.
“Yes you do, its researcher Nick.”
“Hello Nick??” He looked puzzled at Nibs.
“No, it’s now Nibola Calton or Nibs.”
“Ok, sorry, I’m reconning that building.” He pointed out the office block slightly down the street on the other side of the road.
“What for?” she asked
“A raid. My current team has information that an ex-associate of the team’s leader is trading in illegal goods and services.”
“Like?” she asked as she saw a group of people get out of a mini-bus and walk towards the front door. The door opened after a couple of seconds wait
“Not sure personally, it looks like it may include slaves and illegal cybernetics, possible bionetics as well.”
“Oh, not good.”
“No, not good.”
“I shall leave you to your intelligence gathering,” she said.
“Thanks, chat to you soon Nick, sorry Nibs,”
“That’s better, yeah chat to you soon.”
When she got back, she entered the house via the front door and saw she been out for three hours. “Bloody hell,” she said, “Three hours I only wanted to be out an hour.”
“Where you been then?” asked Tina as she looked up from looking at some web news story on some illegal biotech that was being sold to unsuspecting people.
“Out having a walk exploring the area,” she responded.
She wandered over to where she had left her laptop on charge last night, picked it up and pressed the power button which brought the laptop out of hibernation. She put the laptop down on the breakfast bar.
“I hope you don’t mind I borrow your tablet from your room?”
“No hun, just be careful as it’s the only place I have some project work.”
“Ok, I will be. I’m only looking at news stories from one of the street news services.”
“After last night’s chat, when I woke up I came out here and felt the urge to pick it up and start to look at the wider world, rather than the one the papers fill us with.”
“Which one you looking at, some are better than others?”
Abs wandered in wearing her coveralls and went straight out the front door which she hooked open.

Sandra very soon walked out of the corridor, very much awake and ready for doing something. What, she had no idea yet. “Where’d you go babe?” she asked Nibs when she saw her sitting at the breakfast bar.
“Out exploring hun. I bumped into Abbey at a local Chribian church,” replied Nibs. “She asked me to pass on a message to you guys,” and Nibs then went on to tell Sandra and Tina what Abbey had told her.
“Shit,” she said, “I hope he don’t before the last game of the season, Tymean is a little hot headed at times.”
“What?” asked Abs.
“Hi hun,” responded Tina and quickly filled Abs in on what had been said.

Nibs opened up the browser on the laptop, logged into her email account and checked her emails. She saw that she had three new emails; one from Jum, one from Wong and a spam message. Nibs opened the one from Jum —
It’s been a while. Both me and Wong had thought you had forgotten the two of us.
How’s things, still travelling the world or has your parents stopped????
Both of us are normally online if we ain’t working.
Chat to you very soon both us hope.
Jum.
The email from Wong was similar, but she added I hope you have found a partner?
She looked at the reply addresses for both the emails and saw they had been sent from a BlackNet account which showed that they both had messenger logged in.
“Tina, can I have the tablet please?” she asked.
“Yeah, no problems,” replied Tina, and passed the tablet to her. After passing the laptop back to Tina, she opened the control panel, selected language options, then changed the input system to Jarrzarian. She then sat in front of the fireplace, opened her ghost messenger and started a conference. She then invited both Jum and Wong to the conference room. They both accepted and displayed was, ‘Hi Nibs??’
She inputted, ‘LOL you 2, it’s Nick,’ then after a short pause she continued to scribe, ‘I’ve changed since I left Jarrzar. I no longer go by that name, I go by the name Nibola Calton or Nibs for short.’
‘Nibola Nibs Calton,’ replied Jum. ‘Interesting name, have you gone full-time by some chance?’
‘Yes,’ she sent back. Sandra knelt behind her arm and took a look at the tablet screen.
“Native Jarrzarian?” asked Sandra .
“Yeah hun,” she replied. “At some point I’ll teach you the basics.”
She then sent, ‘How good is your basic?’
Both of them sent back, ‘Not too bad, why?’
‘I have friends here who don’t read Jarrzarian.’
‘Ok,’ was sent back as the reply.
She then put the input system back to basic and sent, ‘That’s better.’
Wong sent, ‘Who’s with you then?’
‘My partner Sandra is currently reading the screen as we chat.’
‘Ah,’ came the reply.
‘She says hi,’ she entered, ‘As do the rest of the Vixens.’
‘Say hi back,’ entered Wong.
‘How are things over there?’ she scribed.
‘Could be better, the corps are hurting a lot of people with price rises.’
‘Very much like here except they ride roughshod over people’s rights as well.’ At this comment Sandra smiled and kissed her on the forehead.
‘I hope someone or a group are going to take the fight to the corps soon,’ sent Jum, ‘As it won’t be long before they all but run the countries of the world.’
Nibs typed the reply, ‘It would cost them too much of their profit margin to actually run the countries for the time being, Naban has been taken over by Rotork Theaban. I think a lot of corporations will see how things pan out with them.’
‘That is true,’ Wong replied.
‘Sod the talk about corps and governments. U planning on visiting us here in Jarrzar soon. I know a few of the people you met at the party wouldn’t mind seeing you again and saying hi,’ sent Jum.
‘At some point I will,’ she replied, ‘I have no idea when though. Is it possible for you to send me the legend of Samr?’
‘Yeah no probs, we’ll email you it tomorrow sometime.’
After another twenty minutes of catching up with Jum and Wong, they both were tired and needed to get some sleep as the last few days had been stressful.
She put the tablet on standby and placed it on the coffee-table. She then headed to get changed into some clothes she could get dirty with oil and grease. After changing she headed outside to join Abs working on her bike.
When she walked out she could see Abs had removed the fuel-tank and had the main drive-chain off the rear wheel. She was about to remove the gearbox cover so she could free the chain, which would allow her to remove the engine proper. She could see the timing chain casing was off from her attack on it on Torbar morning.
“You out here to help Nibs?” asked Abs.
“Yes I am,” she replied.
“Good. Go and get me the hoist from inside the garage.”
“Ok,” she said with a smile, turned and went into the garage. It followed the outside walls of the house. To the right as she walked in was an area marked off by black heavy sheeting, she realised that was the growing area. In the main area hung on the back wall were tool racks, some of the tools were missing, she realised that they were the tools Abs was using. Parked to the left were Sandra’s, Paul’s and Tina’s bikes, Just behind them were large floor-standing metal cupboards, all of them had stout heavy locks, locking the doors closed. She had an idea that they contained the Vixen’s firearms. Located next to a large worktable was the hoist Abs wanted.
She wheeled it out to the driveway and lowered the two slings, making sure that it was not going to roll. She then fixed the slings to the engine block as Abs removed the locking nut of the chain sprocket. Abs worked a screwdriver behind the cog and levered it off, until it dropped away and went clang on the tarmac. Abs unbolted the two bolts from her side and passed the tool to her so she could remove the one bolt on her side and the bolt at the rear of the engine.

Abs went into the garage and took, from a rack hung from the ceiling, a flat trolley, which she placed on the opposite side to Nibs and the hoist. “Lift the engine up a couple of inches so I can swing it out and then lower it to the trolley.”

“Ok,” Nibs replied and operated the winch mechanism which lifted the engine three inches, which allowed Abs the room to pull the engine out, as the engine swung out she released the tension until it sat on the trolley. At this point Abs smiled and removed the slings. As Abs pushed the engine into the workshop, she followed pushing the hoist.
When the hoist was beside the large workbench Abs released the hoist mechanism and placed the webbing under the trolley, she then re-hooked the webbing to the hoist’s hook. “Can you lift the entire thing to the table and make sure the wheels are in the holes.”
“Yeah,” she responded seeing the four holes in the bench top. She operated the hoist, and began to lift the entire thing, engine and trolley. When it was high enough she swung the whole thing around and lowered it so the trolley’s wheels were in the four holes.

Abs went outside and gathered the tools she had used to remove the engine from the frame and placed them on top of a large metal tool box which she wheeled over to the bench and opened the third draw. She removed a clamp tool which she placed on the top of the engine and locked the sprocket that operated the cams in place.

“Why the clamp?” she asked.
“I hope its going save on recalibrating the rocker arms when we put the timing chain back on.”
“Right.”
Beep, beep, beep came from a small box on the wall, then Tina’s voice was heard, “Coffee you two.”
Abs walked over to the intercom, then pressed the green button and said, “Thanks sweet, be right up.”
“Ok hun,” was heard after Abs had released the button. Abs then grabbed a jar of de-greaser and the pair wandered out of the garage and up the stairs to the front door, which was still open from earlier.
Inside Sandra was stood at the breakfast bar chopping vegetables, Paul was sitting at the computer working and Tina was sitting on the sofa looking at the digital pictures Sandra and her had taken the day before. She was also drinking what looked like a cup of coffee. The percolator jug was three quarters full stood invitingly next to the cooker.
“What you doing hun?” she asked Sandra as she kissed Sandra on the right cheek.
“Dinner hun,” replied Sandra.
”What?” she asked expectantly.
“Wait and see,” replied Sandra.
Abs said to her, “You going to wash those hands?”
“Yeah I am,” she replied and walked to the sink. She scooped out some of the de-greaser then washed her hands and dried them on the towel Abs passed her.
Abs and her then went and poured out two coffees. She opened the fridge and took out the mily carton and poured some into her coffee. She then offered the carton to Abs who accepted it and did the same. She then scooped two spoonfuls of sugar into her cup, then stirred the coffee while walking to one of the arm chairs and sat down.
Abs soon joined her by sitting on the sofa. She picked up the digital projector remote and using it switched it on then selected one of the entertainment channels which was showing a repeat of some action series based around some elite corporate security team, who in this episode was hunting a serial rapist and murderer who was rampaging through the corporation’s enclaves.
Paul turned round and said, “Nibs I may have found you your bike.”
“Mm,” she responded, got up and walked over to the computer. She saw on the screen the bike. It was a Carddra 950gSX. “Oh very nice,” she said when she saw the picture, “how much are they selling if for?”
“The email that it came with said nothing, the person who wants it must collect though,” replied Paul.
“Who’s selling it?” asked Abs.
“Tybias Mitten,” replied Paul, “the email says he’s just upgraded and wants it to go to a good home, he remembered how much the Vixens love their bikes and so we have first refusal on it.”
“I’ll take it,” she said.
“I’ll take you Nibs,” said Tina. “I know where Tybias lives. It’s just over the river in Wester Park.”
“Ok. I’ll email him back and tell him,” Paul responded. “When you going to get it?”
“When is good for you Nibs?” asked Tina
“How long is the work on your bike going to take Abs?” she asked.
“A couple more hours, I would guess,” replied Abs.
“This evening then I guess,” responded Paul.
“Yeah I think so,” she said then returned to the arm chair to finish her coffee. When Abs and her had finished their coffees they both washed their cups up and proceeded to return to the garage where Abs loaded her pipe, lit it, then took a couple of drags on it. She then passed it to Nibs along with the lighter. She accepted it and finished it then passed the pipe back to Abs.
“Right then back to work. Can you lift the engine itself up as we’ve got to remove the bottom casing, so I can see how much damage has been done?”
“Ok,” she responded. She turned and unclipped the webbing from the hook, then fed the webbing from under the trolley. She then secured the engine with the webbing and operated the hoist to lift the engine up so Abs could remove the oil drain plug and casing. She did after a bit of working the drain plug, when she had placed a large bowl under the plug to catch and reuse the oil.
“Nibs can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, is it personal?”
“No it’s not personal, that much I do know. You seen to have life experiences the rest of us don’t have. Do you understand what is happening to me, Tina, Sandra and yourself?”
“In answer to that no I don’t. You know yesterday night after you and Tina went back to bed.”
“Yes.”
“I couldn’t sleep, I went and did some reading of a few sites dealing with something called the Conspiracy, some of the things I found out scared the hell out of me. I also had a chat with Richard Chancer, he said he wants to meet the four of us in the near future to talk to us about the things that are happening. He can’t see us before the 17th Auar which just happens to be my birthday, I was kind of thinking about going to a local club that night and watching him fight some guy in a street fight.”
“Sounds like fun, then after the fight having this chat with Richard.”
“Yeah that’s pretty much my idea, what I do know is that Richard wouldn’t say that he needs to talk to us unless it was very serious. I didn’t tell you some of the things that have been happening to me. I am reacting to things much faster than it may seem and I have been for a couple of months now. It normally only happens with I am either very angry or just generally pissed off with things. My skin is tougher than it use to be, I can’t accidentally cut myself at all. Even stroking a knife through a clenched fist doesn’t even mark the skin. I could have done so much more damage to McKrudder. I know I could have killed him with a single blow very easily. From the research I’ve done, it all points to me becoming an Adept at least but the symptoms the rest of you have been suffering from are similar to the ones I first noticed.”
“That is interesting Nibs. So what you are saying you think we all are Adepts?”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much the long and short of it.”
Abs bent down and took a look at the oil coming out of the drain hole. “I have had the same dream a couple of times over the last couple of months,” said Abs.
“Ok, tell me the dream, I may not be able to interrupt it but it can be better to have two people look at it.”
“Ok,” Abs said, “It starts with a group of six youngish people slowly moving down a corridor towards a big set of double doors, then suddenly we are inside a room fighting in close combat using weapons that look as if they are glowing. The biggest difference is that the things we are fighting, they ain’t exactly human. The one I’m fighting is suited in some form of heavy armour and it’s swinging a staff like weapon with a glass case on the end, the case contains a small worm like creature that looks like it is writhing around in agony. I’m blocking most of the strikes and dodging the ones I don’t block.”
“Do you recognize any of the other combatants?”
“Yes I do, initially I saw only Tina and Sandra, but I had the dream again last night and I recognized you in it. The other two people are fuzzy, the room itself is also fuzzy so that don’t help in telling us where we are. What’s strange is that you are fighting a large creature with lots of tentacles and you are moving so fast, that your strikes are just blurs. I also noticed for the first time last night that I seem to be quietly chanting something, I don’t understand the words, but I do know it’s similar to the chants Tina and Paul use when conducting their Pagano ceremonies.”
“Very interesting,” she said, “Can you describe the other creatures?”
“Not really, I’m concentrating on the one I’m fighting, at least one of them is human and is fighting Sandra.”
Abs bent down and looked at the oil plug hole which was now dripping the last of the oil. “Nibs can you pass me a 10mm alum key please.”
“No problem,” she said and walked around to the tool box and found the tool on the top of the box. She then passed it to Abs after tapping her on the shoulder to indicate that she had found the tool.
Abs nodded and took the alum key and started to remove the four nuts that held the crank casing in place. After she had loosened the last one she lowered the casing and laid it on the top of the bowl. She then fished out the timing chain from the casing and saw that at least one of the links had broken and a few others were bent. “Ok, that may explain the engine power loss I’ve felt as well.”
After laying the chain out, Abs saw it weren’t just a couple of links, “Oh well I’m going to need a new timing chain. Which I may ask Tina or you to get when you two go and get your bike later.”
“No problem, does Tina know where to get it from?”
“Yeah, Tybias’,” responded Abs and continued before she could ask; “he’s one of our main bike parts supplier.”
“Arh, ok.”
“If he’s not got one in, he will know where to get one from. Change of subject as all of our bikes have at least two hidden areas where we store our firearms and as I am the Vixens expert when it comes to welding. I was wondering what is your preferred firearm, most of us like the M22, it’s effective at the ranges we operate at and has a high fire rate when in full auto mode.”
“Don’t know, I had never even handled a pistol other than ones supplied with computer games before Frodar night.”
“You’re kidding me. Yet you’re a full Street Ghost,” replied Abs.
“I know. I’m an expert at armed and unarmed combat, coupled with my speed, strength and toughness, means I’m more than capable of handling drug dealers or their friends.”
“Ok,” said Abs. “You handled the M22 pretty well through I must say, you’re a natural with firearms I think.”
“Thanks. I have to thank virtual games for those skills,” she responded, “I liked the HK I used on Frodar and the M22 don’t handle to bad, but I also like the one shot one kill methods of the sniper.”
”Same here, I’m the Vixens long range support on combat missions,” said Abs as she rolled a Cambar cigarette after cleaning the crap off her hands with a few paper towels.
“What sniper rifle do you use?” she asked.
“Zonal Firearms D-1000 with an x200 starlight scope.”
“Nice.”
“That’s a good point you’ve not seen our arsenal have you?”
“No I ain’t,” she responded.
Abs turned around, removed her wallet from her back pocket, then removed what looked like a smart card from it and inserted it into a slot on the top of the middle metal cupboard. She then pressed he thumb to a small scanner that appeared on the left down strip of the same cupboard. Very soon she heard a quiet clunk as the metal looking bolts retraced. Abs then opened all three cupboard doors to reveal the arsenal. Nibs walked around the work bench, she then saw the one weapon she loved to use when playing shoot-em-up games.
“Some one must organise getting you a set of keys and security cards too.”
“I didn’t think this weapon was available to the general public,” she said as she took it from the rack.
“What weapon?” asked Abs, as she poked her head round the corner, “Oh the Echo MA240. Yeah it is if you know the right people. Do you remember the chat on Torbar about gangs, missions, and weapons?”
“Yeah I do,” she responded.
“Meet one of the weapons Paul was talking about when he said he thought some gangs had access to corporate military weapon stores.”
“Arh. I understand now. Do you think anyone is going to mind if I use it?”
“Hell no! Its good some one is going to, Paul has said on a couple of occasions that he wanted to give it to the Gangrels main arsenal.”
She just smiled as she felt the weight of it, operated the action and slid a full side, side magazine home. The click of the magazine locking home was like heaven to her. She had played Bloodfest I, II, and III and rarely swapped weapons when she was able to pick the Echo MA240 up. She looked again in to the lockers and saw a double barrel and breach block just below where the MA240 had been. “What’s this?” she asked as she picked it out.
“That is the one thing people who play Bloodfest don’t know about, the MA240 is a multi weapon. That is the sniper conversion; we picked both the carbine and the sniper conversion kit off a dead body 10months ago when we proved for the forth time that the Aces are an arrogant bunch of fuck twits. I blew the back of the guy, who was using it head off at 400 yards with one of my wad cutters.”
“Oh nice,” she said over a giggle.
“It was nice to see the skull and brains splatter all over the Hunk.”
With that she just burst out laughing and said, “Oh I wish I had seen that.”
“Yeah it was fun as he couldn’t see any opposing forces, his three gang mates just ran before I could get a bead on them.”
“How come?” she asked as Tina walked into the garage carrying her jacket and communication system.
“He thought he could sneak up on out flank that day. I kind of told him it was a bad idea.”
“What us vs. The Aces?” inquired Tina.
“Yes when we got the MA240 multi weapon.”
“Oh that little battle. That one was fun, anyway you ready Nibs to get your bike, Tybias emailed us back and said we can pop over at anytime.”
“Yeah,” she responded.
“Oh can you ask Tybias if he’s got a timing chain for my bike, sweet?”
“Yeah, no worries hun.”
Tina chucked her jacket and communication system to her, after she had put the MA240 away.
“Leave it on the side; I’ll need to look at it to make the compartment anyway. I’ll also make sure you have at least two full magazines and a holder for at least four grenades.”
“Ok, thanks,” Nibs said and left it on the side.
Tina bounced her bike off its double stand and wheeled it out and kick started it.
“What route you planning on taking?” she asked Tina as she climbed on behind her.
“IC12, then CW8, Tybias’ place is in the back streets of Wester Park. He normally has at least five motorbikes and six cars or vans in the yard. He’s one of the best mechanic the Gangrels have access to. He trained Abs.”

*****

Chapter 15 — Wester Park District.

As Tina turned right into the driveway of Tybias’, Nibs saw a line of four cars and two vans, one of the cars was at strange angle as if up high on a jack or supports and two of the cars had their bonnets up. Both of the vans had their backs higher than the fronts.
Tina parked stopped the bike and Nibs climbed off. Tina then joined her in climbing off the bike. She brought the bike up onto it’s main stand and the pair walked up the driveway towards the triple garage at the back of the yard.
As they passed one of the cars with the bonnet up a voice said, “Can I help you ladies?”
“Yeah,” replied Tina, “we’re looking for Tybias?”
“He’s in the garage getting one of the bikes ready to be returned to its customer.”
“Thanks,” said Tina.
The pair continued towards the garages at the rear, when the fence had finished and turned right the yard became apparent, it was quite large with a large van sitting beside the far wall, bikes and bike bits where dotted around what ever clear ground space their was, and at least four men and two women where working on the vehicles or lent up against the work bench in the middle garage, they where all wearing grease covered clothes and overalls. A tall well muscled bloke with dreads walked out wheeling a bike, the pair approached he looked up and smiled, “Hi Tina,” then he paused, “Arh you must be Nibs?”
“Yeah, I am,” she responded.
”I guess you want to look at your new bike then?”
“Yeah,” she said and smiled.
“This way ladies,”
“Can I ask you Tybias?” she asked.
“No, Tybias is my brother, I’m Simon. Tybias is in side tuning a 1300JZX.”
“Ok,” replied Tina and she turned to headed into the garage
Nibs followed Simon to the back to the house located at the front of the yard. Simon parked the bike he was pushing up and turned to walk to a second one located nearby.
“Here it is, your bike,” said Simon. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Yeah. No problem”
“Are you trans or what?”
“I am trans; may I ask what gave it away?”
“Voice, to be honest, but even Tina will tell you most people who met her for the first time think she a woman. Now you ask, your hair is wrong, is not a feminine cut its not badly styled, but its not feminine.”
“Arh, thanks.”

*****

Tina walked up to the bike in the middle of the garage and put both her hands on the seat, looked over and said, “Tybias.”
“Shit, hi,” said Tybias and he looked up, “Hi Tina, how's you and the rest of the Vixens?”
“We are fine thanks, how's you and the Raiders?”
“We are good thanks. What do you think of the bike?”
“Very nice. Before I forget Abs needs a timing chain for her bike.”
Tybias stood and wiped his greasy hands down his overall trousers. He looked over at where Nibs and Simon where standing talking. Tybias was very much like his brother well muscled, the difference was his dreads reached his backside and he had a trimmed goatee. He was wearing a sleeveless t-shirt and the overalls where tied at his waist. “Ben,” he shouted.
“Yeah,” came a reply from under one of the vans and suddenly a youngish looking bloke appeared on a wheeled board. She would have said Ben was no older than 16 if that, “What boss?”
“Go to the stores and get Tina a timing chain for,” Tybias turned to her, “What has Abs got now?”
“Mit-bu 1000RSx,” she replied.
“No problem boss.” Ben disappeared down the stairs to the basement store room.
“What’s your plan for the evening, Tina?”
“Nothing really, why?”
“I want to show you something and ask for some possible help from the Vixens?”
“Ok,” she responded.
The youth reappeared, “Your timing chain, Tina,” said Ben and went to go back to the van he was working on.
“Ben you going to Dark Zone this evening?”
“More than likely. Why?”
“Maybe see you there.”
“Oh, ok,” said Ben and returned to the work he had been doing.
She picked up the timing chain and along with Tybias wandered over to where Nibs and Simon where.
Tybias asked, “Drinks?”
“Yeah,” said Simon.
“This way, ladies,” said Tybias leading them indoors and into the living room, which was small and kind of cosy. It had a couple of beat up sofas and a couple of arm chairs, a Tele was on one wall next to it was a stereo. Tybias when to the mini fridge beside one of the sofas and took out a couple of cans passed one to Tina and the other to Nibs, he then took two more out and passed one to Simon, then all of them sat down.

“Like the bike Nibs?” asked Tybias.
“Yeah, love it,” Nibs responded.
“When you get back tell Abs that it already has the pistol hide and an assault weapon hide for a HK-49 SMG. She’ll probably want to change it for the usual weapon for you guys, the M22. You two got anything planned for the evening?” asked Tybias.
“No, I don’t think so,” she replied looking expectantly at Tina.
“As I said outside, no I don’t think so either. Why?” replied Tina.
“Join us and the local gang at Dark Zone, it’s a local meeting place run by the Back Hearts gang. It’s a small gang trying to help in the neighbourhood, which has one problem at the moment. It’s being threatened by one of the other local gangs, The Snakes. The best description for the Snakes is a bunch of arrogant stuck up corporate types with nothing better to do than cause trouble for the locals.”
“Sounds very similar to the Aces,” said Tina.
“Yeah probably,” replied Simon.
“The Back Hearts asked our gang’s leader Sarah for help if it comes down to a War Zone.”
“Has she agreed?” Nibs asked.
“Not yet, she said she would take the request to the council and I’ve not heard back since. I’ve offered my unit’s support for first dibs of any loot taken. I was wondering if the Vixens would be interested in helping?”
“Don’t know,” said Tina, “we can ask them when we get back.”
“Thanks. Anyway, you are going to come tonight?”
“Yeah, why not,” said Tina.

*****

At 7ish, Tybias, Simon, Nibs and Tina got up and got ready to leave for the short walk to Dark Zone, which was only a few roads away. Tybias led the way out of the house and turned left. At the end of the road he turned left again. After crossing one secondary road he turned right onto a minor road and just down the street on the right hand side was the sign for Dark Zone. Outside were a couple of youths who nodded a hello as the four of them approached the door. Tybias paid for Nibs and Tina’s entry. After depositing jackets and side arms at the cloak room, the inner doors opened to reveal a large room with in places three stepped tiered platforms. Abbak trance was being played on the decks.
Ben from the workshop wandered over and said, “Hi.”
“Hi Ben, who’s here tonight?” Tybias replied.
“The boss is in a meeting. Some local official I think.”
On one wall was a large screen game of Bloodfest Arcade, Nibs lent over to Tina and whispered in her ear, “Two player game, later?” and pointed to Bloodfest Arcade.
“Yeah, what me and you?”
“Yeah.”
“Definitely.” As Tina replied the current player has his last health shot away and the game ended. The high score table appeared and showed the top score was 1.29 million decks, this kid who was sitting near by got up and walked over to the game.
“Shit, what, he isn’t going for record again,” said Ben.
“Looks like it,” said Simon.
“The guy thinks he owns the game and who ever breaks his high score needs to be forced from the top by him beating it,” said Ben.
“Assuming Bloodfest Arcade,” Nibs said as Tybias wandered back with a tray of soft drinks, “is anything like Bloodfest II, I was scoring 2.1, 2.2 million decks nearly all of the time I sat and seriously played.”
“Fuck that’s good,” said Tybias as he retook his seat.
“I think Arcade is based on Bloodfest II,” said Ben as he took a glug from his soft drink.
“Can we smoke here?” asked Tina.
“Yeah you can,” replied Ben.
With this the pair retrieved their tins from their pouches and Nibs loaded her pipe and Tina rolled a Cambar cigarette. They both took a good drag from them.
After a short while of sitting and chatting about various subjects, Nibs realised that she needed the toilet and stood to head for the women’s loos.
As she approached the door to the toilet area, it opened and into the room came a pair of girls, when the lead one had passed she looked back and double took her face. ‘Is that Tracy from Young Trans,’ she thought and continued into the toilet.
As she sat on the toilet she took out her PDU and loaded Young Trans. She tapped the search link and scribed the name Tracy into the search name box and then she scribed Wester Park District into the area box. She then tapped the search button and after a couple of seconds of thinking her PDU displayed Tracy’s profile page, she scrolled to where the people had pictures up. She found the one of Tracy’s face and it was or it was a bloody good doppelganger. She finished on the toilet and proceeded to wash her hands. She then headed back into the main room and saw Tracy and her female partner sitting on the first floor tear with a couple of other young people.
She headed for the table and when she was close enough she walked around and the group and tapped Tracy on the shoulder. She turned and faced her and she said, “Hi, do I know you?”
“You do Tracy,” she replied, she knew she was feeling and looking very happy. “Do you use Young Trans net site?”
“I do, do you?”
“I do, I use to be know as Nicki Calton.”
“Walk me to hell in a hand basket. Welcome to Dark Zone Nicki,” said Tracy. She turned back to the table and said, “Guys meet Nicki from Young Trans.”
“Hi Nicki,” said the male looking member. He was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a blue t-shirt, “I’m Robert one of the three trans men that use the chat room.”
She stood and grabbed herself a seat and said down, beside the only true woman present.
“How come, from what I remember from you profile you were trapped by your mum and dad?” asked Tracy, “and may I say you look very. Mm, Gith.”
“Mum and dad don’t know. I did a bunk last Frodar and got invited to join the Gangrels, specifically the Bitch Vixens unit. I’ve not had chance yet to update things on my profile.”
Tracy then said, “Allow me to introduce my partner, Alli Stevens.” She was wearing a smart suit, the type you would use for an office job. “she also uses the site and thats how we met, and Fiona Tribble.” Who was wearing a shortish skirt, what looked like tights and a V cut sleeved top. “Also a member and regular.”
“I remember chatting with you a few times Fiona,” she said as Tina walked over from where she had been sitting.
“Hi,” said Tina.
“Guy, meet Tina a fellow Gangrel and also a full time crossdresser. Tina, Tracy, Fiona, Robert all Trans people from Young Trans, and Alli Tracy’s partner and also a member.”
“Hey, and hi everyone,” Tina said and took a chair from a nearby table and sat down beside Nibs.
“I guess you no longer go by the name Nicki,” said Robert.
“No I don’t. My new name is Nibola Calton or Nibs for short.”
“Hi Nibs. Other than leaving home, how come?”
“Let me tell you a tale of how a young person, my male half made friends with Sandra Patterson.” She then told the group her and Sandra’s tale from when she moved to Suraban to her change, she included the fact she was also a holder of a Full Street Ghost licence.
After she had finished, Tracy said, “Bloody hell! That is one hell of a story, but it does prove that somewhere someone cares for us at least.”
“The Bitch Vixens, why do I think that name has a history in the Gangrels. Someone said something about the your unit,” said Alli.
Tina then asked, “What unit your self, and why the suit?”
“I work for Telean Xorone Galsen East Suraban Area Office, in the accounts department.” asked Alli, “What unit, I’ve been a member of Blue Hill Sharks for five months. I was introduced three Gatherings ago.”
“Weren’t Silver Handers good,” said Tina.
“Yeah weren’t they, How come your self Tina?” asked Alli.
“My story is very similar to Nibs’ tale except I’ve been living fulltime for the last three years and been on hormones for almost two and a half of that time. All thanks to the Gangrels medical staff.”
As she looked around the room, she saw the door next door to the screen open and a couple of people walk out, a female and a couple of males.
When the three were in the room, Tina called “Sarah,” and waves an invite to her. Sarah saw the wave and nodded that she had seem it and started to walk over to where the group was sitting.
“Hi Tina, Nibs,” said Sarah. “What you doing here?”
“Getting my bike from Tybias’, he’s sat over there,” she said and pointed at where there were sitting.
Sarah looked around and saw Tybias sitting with his brother and Ben. “Right, thanks.” Sarah walked over and grabbed a chair and sat down and started to chat to them.
“Drinks?” she asked everyone
Tybias, Simon, Ben and Sarah all stand up and walk back to where Nibs and Tina were sitting. “May we join you ladies and gent?” asked Sarah to the group.
“Yes,” replied Tracy. “Hang on, I know you. Aren’t you Tybias Mitten from T&S Mechanics?”
“Yes, I am, I’m the T and Simon my brother, here, is the S. Ben here also works for us. Allow me to introduce Sarah Cutherlate, leader of the Gangrel Street Gang, which myself, Simon, Nibs and Tina are all members of.”
“We know, I’m also a member of the Gangrels, but I work for Telean Xorone Galsen.”
“Would some one introduce us, I notice when you came back you headed here rather than back to us Nibs,” said Simon.
“Guys, meet Tracy, Alli, Fiona and Robert, I know all of them from the Young Trans site I’m a member of. I was getting some drinks.”
“To save emailing you when I get back to command, Tybias, the council decided to open the arsenal to Back Heart Gang. We will also be subsidising the four units already employed should the Snakes launch a War Zone.”
“That’s good to hear, any dissenters on the Council?”
“Yeah the normal one,” commented Sarah.
“Oh him,” Tybias said and shakes his head.
“I’ll tell you on the way home Nibs,” whispered Tina in her ear.
“Anyone for drinks?” she asked. When everyone had given their drink orders to her, she got up and headed for the bar along with Tracy.
“How have things been, someone said that you had been into the chat room on Moroth and told everyone that you were full time?”
“Things have been great, how about you?”
“Yeah things aren’t to bad thanks. I had a feeling that the Gangrels had been involved in you going full time when Sophie-Gurl told me Moroth evening.”
“How come you are here,” she said as the pair waited at the bar for one of the bar staff to serve them.
He asked, “Can I help you ladies?”
“Yes,” she said and gave the order to the gent.
“Four weeks ago Alli came in and we started to chat, she was interested in understanding what it meant to be trans. I think the Sharks have at least one. We meet a later that week and we’ve been out on a few dates since.” As the barman moved off to fill the order Tracy asked, “How can you remember that order, I have problems remembering four items most days?”
“I have an eidetic memory for conversations, it don’t matter how it comes across as long as it’s sound I will remember it. I can remember conversations I had five, six years ago.”
“Bloody hell! I can see that being so useful I your line of work.”

*****

After the guy playing Bloodfest Arcade had scored 1.31 million Decks and died, he moved off the game satisfied that no one would be able to beat it for a while Nibs turned to Tina, “Shall we?”
The kid that had been playing lost his last health and the game ended with im scoring 1.37million decks.
“Shall we Tina,” she said as he sat down
“Yes, lets,” replied Tina. They both got up and was joined by Sarah who stood behind them and got ready to press the start button. Tina fed in the two decks needed for a two player game and when they were both ready.
“One practice game as I’ve not played arcade before,” she said.
“Yeah and I think I need one too, it’s been a while since I played arcade,” said Tina.
“Ready you two?” asked Sarah.
“Yeah,” they both responded.
“Then rock and roll.” She pressed the two player start button.

*****

37 minutes later the two of them had scored a whopping 4.98 million decks with neither of them loosing a single piece of health, which for a two player game had drawn quite a crowd.
Nibs said to Tina, “I’m exhausted.”
“So am I,” responded Tina then together they both put weapons down and took a step back as a missile from a gunship on screen exploded killing both of the players which ended the game. The cheer that went up was incredible as the game also registered each player’s total of 2.49 million decks as well.
She looked over at the table where the kid had been sat at, which was now empty.
When the two of them got back to the table, Ben said, “The kid left after you got 3.3 million in a huff.”
Both of then laughed at the news.
“So he’s not seen the scores then?” she said
“I don’t think so,” replied Ben .
“Anyway,” said Tina to the people at the table, “we need to head home, we are both exhausted after that game.”
“No problems,” said Tybias, “you will remember to ask about helping should it be needed?”
“Yes we will,” replied Tina and they both left via the door they came in by, picking up their jackets and pistols on the way. They both walked the short distance to Tybias’ and collected their bikes.
“Run back IC12,” Nibs said as they took the two bikes off the main stands and wheeled them out of the yard, “it should be clear at this time of night.”
“It should be, yeah,” responded Tina.
And the two of them kicked started their bikes and headed home.
When they reached IC12 she just went low against the fuel tank, engaged the auto-gyro and accelerated and was soon pushing 150mph. Tina wasn’t far behind her; it took about twenty minutes to reach Home Base.
The pair pulled into the driveway and saw Sandra was sitting on the veranda not looking very happy at all. After they had parked the bikes and dropped the timing chain beside Abs’ engine. They both headed back to the driveway closing and locking the garage door.
They then ascended the steps to the veranda where Sandra was sat on a garden chair on the veranda smoking a Cambar cigarette. “Where have you been?” she asked both of them in a stern voice.
“Getting my bike hun, why?”
“Time.”
“Yeah, were we supposed to be back for something?”
“Yeah. Dinner.”
“Oh fuck I forgot,” she replied apologetically.
“Oh shit so did I,” responded Tina, “sorry Sandra.”
“Not to worry, it’s in the microwave. Just heat it up. Nice bike hun.”
“Thanks love, you coming in.”
“Yeah,” said Sandra and got up to follow her and Tina in to the house and closed the front door.
The pair heated up the vegetable hotpot Sandra had cooked and joined Paul, Abs and Sandra watching a newly released film.

*****

When the film was finished Nibs turned to Tina and asked, “You said you would tell be about the dissenter on the council?”
“I did, didn’t I,” replied Tina.
“Oh, we talking about Timothy?” asked Paul.
Abs got up and headed for the kitchen to make some drinks.
“Yeah we are,” said Tina.
“Timothy, the one problem we as Gangrels have,” Tina started as she rolled a Cambar cigarette. “He leads about six units of various compositions, all of them very militant and generally will cause problems to most gangs if given half the chance.”
Sandra lent over and took the large house bong and loaded the top and both she and Nibs took two of the four pipes and as she lit the Cambar in the bowl, they both took a draw through it. “I have seen them hire themselves to the highest bibber and then charge double the original fees for ammunition expenditure, and no way did they expend the amount of ammo they said they did. One battle which involved us, the Vixens, and one of the more defensively orientated units, we expended close on double the amount we initially said,” said Sandra, “Timothy’s unit expended almost none, and still asked for the amount we had expended.”
“That isn’t good,” Nibs said.
“No it isn’t,” responded Paul, “but unless they do something that breaks Central’s rules or the Gangrels Standing orders, there isn’t much we can do. Central has investigated a couple of incidents but no one has ever come forward or the proof has disappeared or been destroyed before Central could meet.”
“Which I guess annoys quite a few people?” she enquired.
After hearing the switch being switched on the perculator Abs returned to the seating area and took one of the other pipes and lit the end and took a drag from it.
“Yeah it does, we here are on the north western edge of the area watched over by him and his main unit The Head Counters,” continued Tina. “He has a couple of occasions tried to convert us from Sarah’s leadership, he thinks if he can convert us more units will jump ship and join him. But seeing as he has tried on four occasions to do it and failed every time, he’s given up trying.”
“I think he just hopes we will disappear and allow him to continue to win converts to his cause,” replied Paul.
“Which is a joke if you ask me,” said Sandra. “Some people say he’s not himself and hasn’t been himself for a good couple of years, but no one has any proof of it.”
“How does the Gangrel council work?” Nibs asked.
“How does it work,” said Paul, “Any matter that may have a major implication for the entire Gangrel gang goes before the Council and is debated and then voted on by the board of 11 including the chairperson Sarah, who was the casting vote if one is needed.”
“It can make for some interesting times to say the least. Currently sat on the council is a member from each district which Suraban has 9, Sarah and one representative from Central. Timothy’s area of influence is the south eastern area and it borders the far side of the Free Fire zone.
“We as an A rated unit are exempt from Gangrel district control, we answer directly to the council and not to an area commander.”
Paul stood and headed for the fridge and took out the open bottle of Cabilla and poured himself a drink. After returning it to the fridge he returned to the seats and sat down taking the Cambar cigarette he had been smoking and relit the end taking a drag as he did.
“We’ve been asked on a couple of occasions to advise the council of certain matters concerning policy towards certain matters. And we have a non voting seat on the council which we don’t take up unless we are asked to. Currently all the A rated units are under the nominal command of Gaz, Sarah’s right hand person on the council. He allows us to do as we please as long as we don’t bring the Gangrels into disrepute.”
“That’s interesting. The Gangrels are sounding more and more like the Ghost community. The ghost community uses a similar system of rating teams and people. If a team stays together for at least six months the team gets listed as an active team, Cameron Raiders, is currently a non active unit, but that ain’t to say if they got a mission that brought them all back together the unit status goes to active and then Fixers can contact the team directly rather than going through each team member.”
“What happens if something goes tits up?” asked Abs
“What do you mean when you say go tits up?” she asked.
“Goes horribly wrong and lots of collateral damage is caused.”
“If the unit survives the fuck up, they go before the council of elders, the older members of the ghost community, and they make a judgement, based on all the evidence they can collect from the various sources. Punishment ranges from a simple slap on the wrist and a fine to the de-listing of the team and the members, and that ban can last from 6 months to life.”
“Harsh, ain’t it,” said Sandra.
“Maybe, but the causing of collateral damage to non corporate sites and places may effect the general population, it is looked at very dimly. The Street Ghosts live by a simple credo the civilians who live in the area do not want a corporate strike to spill over onto and into their homes. Most ghosts will move to help a civilian in distress with out thinking, bar the normal ones dealing with the situation. This element marks the true Street Ghost community as different to the various immations you will see out there.”

*****

Around 1ish Tina and Abs said night and wandered off to bed, Paul also disappeared a short while later leaving Sandra and Nibs up watching an adventure film. About 3ish they both headed for bed as she knew she would be helping Abs tomorrow finishing her bike repairs and fitting the hide to her bike.

Chapter 16 — The Retreat

Savraday 22nd Juwur
Nibs and Sandra woke at 08:51BN. Nibs swung her legs out of the bed; took the blunt that lay next to the ashtray on her bedside table and lit it. Sandra just lay propped up on her elbows.
“You know something hun, I’m going to embroider my jacket today, its needs doing,” she said.
“That’s true. What you going to put on it?”
“The Vixens symbol and the Black Fairy which is my personal symbol.”
“The Black Fairy?” asked Sandra as she lent over, retrieving the blunt she had put out last night before the two of them had fallen into a peaceful sleep.
“I have the picture on the tablet, its one of the backgrounds I use.”
After Sandra had lit the blunt she sat up, stretched and said, “You up for some combat practice hun?”
“Yeah definitely,” she said with a smile. She turned and kissed Sandra on the forehead, grabbed her bathrobe, put it on and wandered over to the bathroom to go to the loo and brush her teeth. She was soon joined by Sandra who also sat on the loo and cleaned her teeth. After finishing she asked Sandra, “Coffee hun?”
“Yeah, then get dressed and head into the back garden and have some fun sparring.”
“Ok.”
She walked into the living area and found Tina sat at the breakfast bar sipping a cup of something. “Morning,” said Tina.
“Morning Tina,” she said, “You up for some sparring today?”
“Yeah I think Abs is too. She’s already up and I think she’s downstairs harvesting some of our plants.”
Abs appeared at the front door and as she walked in she said, “Good harvest this cycle.”
“How many plants?” asked Sandra as she walked out of the bedroom zone.
“A good thirty-five plants plus fresh seeds for another three cycles.”
“What is good is I think we may have found the best conditions at last.”
She went about sorting out two coffees; when finished she passed one of the cups of Sandra.
“Thanks hun,” responded Sandra and sat down on one of the stools at the breakfast bar.
Abs said, “Tina you going to join me for some sparring, I’m going to beat you today.”
“Ok hun,” responded Tina. “In your dreams, you’ve not beaten me since I moved in here.”
“My luck has got to change sometime.”
“Not today hun,” responded Tina, she then got up to follow Abs to the back garden.
After finishing their coffees Nibs and Sandra went to their bedroom and got dressed in simple baggy, free-flowing clothes. She grabbed her pair of short staves. ‘I need to see those people again soon,’ she thought. Sandra grabbed her quarter staff and followed her out into the back garden.
The garden was large the width of the house plus six feet for the path to the back door a good 20 feet plus long. At the back was a wooden fence that backed onto a small piece of waste land. From where she was standing she could see the area was also being used as a dumping ground, in places the various large objects had been stacked or moved to form defences and similar positions. Inside the actual garden was a couple of punchbags, a speedball and a few other combat training obstacles.
The pair warmed up and watched Abs and Tina as they sparred together; Tina was using a pair of short staffs similar to hers’. Abs was using a full staff which was about 6ft long. After watching for about five minutes Abs went for a low strike which Tina jumped over, then Tina counter-attacked by feinting with the right staff and catching Abs on the side of the head with the left one.
Abs said, “You bitch.”
“I keep telling you when fighting two weapons you need to seriously rethink letting the enemy get close.”
She nodded her head in agreement; as both Tina and Abs left the ring Sandra and her stepped up.
Sandra asked, “Are you ready Nibs?”
“The question shouldn’t be, am I ready, it should be are you ready to face me. I may have only shadow-sparred more often than not, but I know these staffs,” she responded. “Now defend yourself.” She stabbed the left staff at Sandra’s head and swung the right at her lower abdomen.
Sandra jumped back and said, “FEck, your fast.”
“I know,” she responded as she returned to a ready-stance.
It took about twenty-five seconds to land the first hit on Sandra, she used both staffs to take her knees out by tripping rather than hitting there.
During the short fight Sandra noticed a few openings and what surprised her was Nibs used her body as weapons as well. “Enough,” said Sandra, “feck, you are good.”
“No I ain’t,” she replied. “I caught you by surprise.”
“That you did, plus the fact you don’t seem to worry about taking hits. You left yourself open on a few occasions.”
“I may have looked as if I was open, but I was ready to receive your counter-attacks.”
“I agree you are good Nibs,” said Abs. “Our resisdent experts in street fighting are Paul and Gary, and I think you could beat them easily.”
“Doubt it, I’ve shadow sparred a lot, this is the first time people are fighting back,” she said
“I seriously think if you would be able to beat them both,” said Abs.
“And from what I saw I have a lot to learn about these,” Tina said and indicated she meant her short staves.
“Me and you Abs?” asked Sandra.
“Yeah, ok,” responded Abs.
“Show me what you know Tina,” Nibs said.
For the next couple of hours the four of the practised and sparred together.

*****

About 11:15BN all four felt exhausted from the workout.
“That was one of the toughest workouts I’ve had,” said Abs. “But I’ve learnt a massive amount about how to deal with people with two weapons.”
“It may be an idea if we think about making these a slightly more regular occurrence than once in a while,” said Sandra.
“Yeah I agree,” said Tina.
Sandra knocked on the bathroom door which was closed. “Paul you in there?” she asked.
“Yeah I am,” responded Paul.
“Hurry up. There’re four sweaty girls out here needing a shower.”
“Ok, I’ll be finished in a couple of minutes,” came his reply.

*****

Nibs walked into the living-room after putting her short staffs away. She headed for the fridge, got out some cold filtered water, poured herself a glass and drunk it quickly. When she had returned to wait for the bathroom.
Paul walked out of the bathroom in his black bathrobe and headed for his room to get dressed.
A burst of Silver Hand played from Paul’s mobile on the fireplace. She wandered over to see who’s calling and shouts. “Paul, Darla’s ringing you.”
“You answer it Nibs, I’m currently indisposed at the mo.”
“Ok,” she answered, picked up the phone and flicked it open, then said, “Hi Darla, its Nibs, Paul is currently indisposed at the mo. How can I help?”
“Hi Nibs, I’m inviting all the Vixens to my place in the Low Back Forest from today ‘til we head for the festival.”
“Ok,” she replied and asked, “Where in the Low Back forest, it’s kind of big?”
“Yeah I know, I’m sending you the location co-ordinates now via text.”
Beep, Beep went Paul’s phone as it received a text, “Ok it’s arrived.”
“Good, how long before you guys leave, so I can tell Gary when to meet you lot?” asked Darla.
“45 minutes to an hour, we need to shower and get some clothes together for the trip,” she replied.
“Ok, I’ll say an hour and a half then to Gary. Meet him at the truck stop on IC5 before it leaves the city?”
“Ok, see you soon,” she said and closed Paul’s phone.
“Guys, Darla’s invited us to her place in the Low Back Mountains until the festival.”
“Do you know if she invited Misty’s group?” asked Paul.
“She didn’t say,” she replied; then she walked to the computer to check the location Darla had sent in the text. She pulled up the Map software, typed in the co-ordinates and the map software displayed a largish house at the end of a road, the name displayed alongside was Graham Cottage. It looked as if it was located on a cliff edge looking south, ‘Nice place,’ she thought as Abs and Tina finished in the shower.
“Our turn Nibs,” called Sandra.
“Ok hun, coming,” she called back and walked towards the bathroom.

*****

Thirty minutes later everyone was in the living room, they all had rucksacks, which contained a couple of changes of clothes for the break at Darla’s.
Tina asked, “We coming back on Sumbar or Moroth?”
“Don’t know,” Nibs said. “Darla didn’t say.”
“I hope Sumbar as I know we will need to get ready for the festival with camping gear.”
“I think Savraday then would be better,” said Paul.

*****

Two days previously, Darla had received an envelope in the post from her parent’s lawyer. The letter had said he wanted to meet Darla, and gave a Motel just off IC5 Junction18 in a small town called Forest Scope. It had also said he would only be there for a week from the date printed on the letter and that was two days previous.
“Angel, Damieel we are going on a road trip to the Low Back forest, we leave in half an hour.”
“Yes Mistress,” they both called back from the bathroom.

*****

Darla’s bike and the two trikes, belonging to Angel and Damieel, pulled into the Motel car park and she located the room indicated on the return address. She knocked on the door and the door was opened by a gentleman in his mid-thirties.
“Darla Graham?”
“Yes that is me,” she answered.
“Then please come in.”
The twins and her walked into the room, “Allow me to introduce Angel and Damieel, my partners in all things,” she said as the gentleman looked Angel and Damieel up and down.
“No problem,” he said, “I am Simon Grayson of Grayson Lawyers Ltd, I represent your father and mother and have done so since 2041, and I am currently the probate officer of your father and mother’s last will and testimony.”
Four years ago you know your mum and dad undertook a ghost operation against Grinlinn Manufacturing and never returned.
“Yes I remember them leaving.” She moved to sit on the bed and was joined by Angel and Damieel. Angel sat and looked over her right shoulder. Damieel was kneeing behind her looking directly at Simon over her left shoulder.
“As was the norm they contacted me before the operation and normally they contacted me again after the operation to inform me of their safe return. Neither of them has contacted me since that day four years ago. The last will and testimony stated that should they and I mean either or both not contact my firm via some method within four years then the last will and testimony should be read. The document countersigned by three other lawyers all who worked for my firm at the time. The will states that the entire estate which in today’s monetary terms is worth 56.2 million decks and includes the apartment you currently reside in, a large house located in the Low Back Forest and a further house located in the Chimilla Highlands goes to their only true daughter Darla to do with as she sees fit.”
She said sounding very shocked and surprised, “The entire estate, valued at 56.2 million decks plus three houses are mine to do with as I see fit.”
“Yes I also have a sealed letter for you. This was sealed in my presence by both your father and mother,” and he handed her the letter. She took it and just looked at it in disbelief.
“I shall give you some space and time Miss Graham. I shall be in the bar opposite if you wish to see the house in the Low Back forest.”
She shook her head slightly and said, “Thanks.”
After the door is closed and she listened to his steps as they crossed the gravelled surface. She broke the seal on the envelope, taking out a letter which was wrapped around a key and a swipe card, both of which dropped out and fell to the floor.
After picking up the swipe card and key, she read the handwritten letter.

Dear Darla,
If you are reading this letter then it means that both I and your mother haven’t returned from an operation.
The lawyer we instructed to carry out our wishes has served not only us but many Street Ghosts over the years and he is the one responsible for making sure you always had the apartment to live in.
The next few paragraphs were about the mission they had been employed to conduct.
The house in the Low Back Forest is mine and your mum’s retreat from every day stresses. It is also the location for an Academy Battle Store, as both myself and your mum where trained at the Academy to become elite Street ghosts and Conspiracy Operatives. Most of your inheritance is money gathered and earnt during those days. The store assuming it has not been plundered by the Academy trained people on operation is also yours and your friend’s to use as the entire group sees fit.
The store itself has equipment that is six to seven years out of date by current Academy standards, but is probably still twenty to twenty five years ahead of technology enjoyed by the world’s military forces and probably twenty years ahead of most corporation’s equipment. It’s yours and your friend’s as is the money and shares. Simon has power of attorney over them at the moment and has been instructed that they are never to be used as collateral against things. Both your mum and I advise you to leave the status quo as is concerning them.
Enjoy the houses and the secrets they contain.
Yours Thomas and Clare.
PS. The coordinates for the house are -782.574,4554.328 I would inform Simon that you are going and ask him to return to the Suraban.

After she had finished reading the letter she put it back into the envelope and re-sealed it. She placed it in the inside pocket of her leather jacket. Then after composing herself she stood up and walked out with the twins in tow. “You two wait here, I’ll be back shortly.”
She crossed the road to the bar, and opened the door. The inside was a dark bar she knew places like Forest Scope would have. The main tap room was 50feet long by at least 30feet wide. Behind the bar were three staff serving 30 odd customers. Most looked like trappers and people hardened by work in the foot hill forests and mountains. Simon was sat on a bar stool drinking what looked like a coffee. She walked towards him at the bar. “Thanks for the information about my inheritance. I’m heading to the house now, but I would like to go alone and spend some time alone with my thoughts and memories.”
“No problem Ms. Graham, can I assume that you wish me to remain as your lawyer and maintain the power of attorney over the shares and other incomes.”
“Yes thanks, I shall leave the status quo as is as you have served my family well over the years. I may have some more people who may be interested in your legal services.”
“Why thank you Ms. Graham and I look forward to meeting you and your friends in the near future.”
Darla turned and had two drunken men block her exit.
“Hey babe, you want some cock?” the left hand bloke said.
Simon turned to face them and she said, “Leave it Simon, I’ve dealt with twats like this before.” She then turned back and looked at the guy who had spoken, “I would knacker you before we got started,” and she then flicked her jacket open to reveal the presence of a Y7 pistol and before his partner could move she grabbed his crotch and squeezed, “My advice to you is it sit down and forget about me unless you have a death wish,” Darla said in a no nonsense voice and she then pushed both of them out of the way and departed the bar to return to the bike and the twins, who had already started their trikes.
Within forty minutes of leaving the motel car-park, the twins and her where on the road that led to the house. After traveling about 50 miles the three of them arrived at a large, single storey house situated over looking a beautiful view point on the edge of a cliff. They parked the bikes in front of the steps to the front veranda, which was large enough to have a garden table and chairs on. Darla took the swipe card that had dropped from the letter out and inserted into the card reader and then pressed her thumb to the small scanner located next to the card reader. After a couple of seconds the door clicked and opened.
The inside of the house was large with an open plan kitchen located on the left hand side of the large living room. To the right was a wall with two doors one up some steps the other on the same level as the living room. All the furniture was covered by dust sheets and the air conditioning was set to maintain the humidity at a level that wouldn’t degrade the furniture.
“You two uncover the furniture and sort out the living room whilst I explore the rest of the house,” she said, and turned towards the lower of the two doors. She tired the door and found it locked. She looked at the door and found just beneath the handle a long hole, very similar to the lock on the bathroom door at the apartment. She took the key out and inserted it in the hole under the handle and turned it. She heard the lock go clunk as it retracted, she then tried the handle and the door opened towards her. In front of her was a passageway which lit up as sensors detected her presence in the doorway. Darla started down the passage way and after fifty feet of it going on a down grade it opened up into a massive room which like the corridor lit up when sensors detected the presence of her. The room was filled with shelves upon shelves of firearms, equipment, armour, tools, and electronic devices. She whispered, “Thank you mum and dad, I love you both lots and lots,” and a tear trickled down her cheek.
She snapped back out of those thoughts and said to herself, “Vixens here, when?”

*****

Nibs and the others closed the front door of the Home Base, walked down the steps and went to collect their bikes.
“Helmets everyone,” said Paul.
“Good point,” Tina said, “We do need to wear them when we leave a city on an IC.”
“You know I haven’t got one,” Nibs said.
“Oops, good point and we haven’t got a spare,” said Tina.
“Then I suggest we go and buy one then,” suggested Sandra.
“Now that’s an idea,” she said as she wheeled her bike out and sat on it waiting for everyone else to be ready.
When Abs had locked the garage doors and set the alarm, everyone started their bike engines and pulled up the driveway and onto the main street. Nibs thought, ‘I need to upgrade that.’

*****

After spending about twenty minutes browsing the various head protections Sam’s Super Bikes had on show, Nibs selected a plain black full-face helmet with a darkened visor. She tried it on and found it fitted exactly. After paying for it she joined everyone outside; they headed for the truck stop where they had said they would meet Gary.
After picking up IC5 from the start they sped along it until Junction 10 where the main IC5 city truck-stop was located. As normal it was quiet, most of the people using it either slept in the cabs or was inside the Inns enjoying their hospitality. In the second, of the four truck-stops, Tina spotted Gary’s bike and signalled the rest of the group and pulled in beside it. When everyone had arrived they all walked into the truck-stop and saw Gary tucking into a large breakfast. As they walked in, he lifted his head and waved them over. Sandra and Paul headed for the counter and ordered some food while the rest headed over to the table.
The inside of the truck-stop had fifteen tables next to long windows that over-looked the car park. The counter ran down half of the back wall, with a door at each end. The door closest opened and a waitress appeared carrying a tray of plates, heading for one of the tables where a couple of men sat. One of the pair was large and had a beer belly, the other more lean and mean, wearing leather trousers and had a full-face helmet on the table next to him. The waitresses were wearing white blouses with name badges over the left breast and black knee-length skirts and black shoes. Tied around their waists was a red-and-white checked apron with a pocket in the front. Nibs, Tina and Abs approached the table and Gary slid along towards the window. Both Tina and Abs slid in beside him, Nibs sat opposite Gary, and was soon joined by Sandra and Paul joined them, "Food shall be with us soon," Sandra said as she sat down.
Very soon, a waiter approached the table with a tray full of cups, a couple of jugs and a small bowl. He set the cups, jugs and small bowl down and then went back to the counter, picked up the coffee and teapots and placed those down as well. Paul and Tina both said "Thanks."
"Any drinks sir?" the waiter asks Gary.
"No thanks," replied Gary, "I'll drink what’s on the table, but thanks for asking."
"You’re welcome sir."
The door to the car park opened and in walked a couple of men, both of medium build. They walked over to a table in the corner; the waiter that had served the drinks headed over towards them. After about five minutes the door to the kitchen opened, two waitresses walked out and approached the table, each was carrying a large tray piled high with steaming food. The first waitress placed the plates down and the second placed three large plates in the middle of the table; the plates in the middle contained bacon rashers, eggs, sausages, hash browns, toast, and various other fried food stuffs. The first waitress returned with two large bowls containing baked beans and tomatoes.
When the last of the baked beans was finished by Tina, Nibs got up and wandered to the toliets, at the far end of the counter. Coming out of the door was a woman dressed in leather biker trousers, who went straight outside to one of the bikes, which she climbed on and sped away. When Nibs had returned from the loos the rest of the group were just preparing to depart. Sandra and her walked to the counter, paid for the food and drinks, the total bill was 25 Decks, ‘Very good value for the size of the meal,’ she thought
Outside the sun was high in the sky and felt quite warm, but a light breeze was also blowing from the north-east. Gary, Paul, Tina and Abs waited for the pair to pay for the food; when they came out the group walked towards where the bikes were parked. Everyone checked the chokers and earpieces were still in place, climbed onto their bikes, and each one rammed the kick-starts down and let the engines idle.
Gary suggested, “It may be a good idea to stop for fuel and work out the route to Darla’s,”
“Good idea,” Paul responded. She led the way out of the truck-stop, towards the fuel-station located next to the line of toll booths. The station had fifteen fuel pumps, three dedicated to refuelling trucks and road-train tractor units and twelve to refuelling other vehicles. As five pumps were not being used, each bike pulled up beside each one, completely filled their tanks with high performance. After filling, the five moved out of the way of the pumps to let four other users in, while Gary took the fifth pump and filled his tank as well.

Sandra, who had gone into the shop, stood at the counter waiting for Gary to finish so she could pay of the fuel. After paying for it she came outside and walked to where the bikes were parked. The group were having a discussion over which route was best.
As she walked back Nibs said, “That is true, I don’t mind cross-country work, but I don’t speak for everyone, it isn’t fun for most people, plus I think it will be very hard on the bikes they’re not setup for cross country work.”
“What are the options for the journey?” she asked.
“Driving to Junction-18 and then heading north via Forest Scope to Darla’s, or coming off at Junction-15 and heading north and then east via a town of Little Middleton,” replied Paul.
“We don’t know the area, I vote for easy Junction-18,” she said.
“Ok then, Junction-18 it is then,” said Tina, “I just want to see Nibs go cross-country.”
“If that’s the only reason then I can show you when we get there on a push-bike rather than a motorbike. It’s a lot more fun, plus it would give me an excuse to get one, I had one at home, but kind of forgot to bring it,” responded Nibs as she walked towards her bike. Everyone picked up their helmets and put them on, as the Surra Country law indicated all people riding bikes must wear a helmet when on the IC outside the city perimeter or else health and vehicle insurance is invalidated.

All the bikes started and moved off in the direction of the tollbooths, where each rider had to pay a Deck to get onto IC5. The booths themselves were one long line of about twenty situated on the entry-ramp slipway and the IC itself, the bikes pulled up to one of the booths and Nibs said, “Six bikes.”
“Six Decks,” came the reply from the operator over loudspeakers. She dropped six deck coins into the hopper and the gate lifted to allow the bikes through. After leaving the controlled area of the tollbooths, all six worked their way through the bikes’ gears and accelerated down the slipway and onto the fast-moving traffic of the IC5, all the bikes were pushing 120mph quite quickly.
As they drove along the IC she was being her ever observant self, noticed that as they passed over IC10, that even through the landscape of crops stayed the same it became considerably more militant the further they travelled from the city. As they passed Junction-16, which had a small town located just to the south of the IC, she saw at least two patrol cars on the bridge and the officers carrying heavy firepower.
About an hour later the bike saw the signs for Junction-18 and a warning of no turning for 165miles. All the bikes indicated and took up the inside lane that would lead them up the off-ramp, towards the junction that would put them on the main road that ran near Darla’s.
The group drove into the small town of Forest Scope, a tourist trap for those wishing to explore the mountains.
“Stop here for some light refreshments,” suggested Tina over the comm. system.
“Yeah, that would be an idea,” replied Sandra, “I do feel in need of a drink and a smoke, if nothing else.”
The group headed up the main road that ran through the centre of the town and found a couple of local diners and a fast food place, owned by Kannock.
“Which one?” she asked.
She had an idea which one would be chosen, everyone agreed not Kannock.
Tina, as she had the lead, indicated left, crossed the road and parked up in front of the diner near the north side. The outside of the diner was very much a modern looking purpose-built building. It was opposite one of the bigger motels. Everyone followed Tina and parked up outside the diner, climbed off, left their helmets on the seats of the bikes and walked inside.
The group walked into the diner, which had a homely feel to it as the inside was lined with wood panelling; with tables along the side wall and a couple along the front window. Each table was covered with a blue-and-red checked tablecloth and had a salt and pepper shaker on each table in front of a menu. The group walked up to the counter which stretched along the left wall to the very back of the diner, where two doors where, one to the toilets, the other to the kitchen area. Behind the counter was a largish male wearing a light blue T-shirt, black trousers and a black apron. “How I may I be of help?” he asked.
Abs responded first, “Do you have any orange juice?”
“We do.”
“A glass of orange juice please. How much,” Abs asked.
“One deck,” the man responded.
Abs took her wallet out, took out a 5-Deck note and passed it to him; he stuffed it into the pocket of his apron, dug out 4-Decks change and passed it to Abs.
Paul spoke next, "A ham sandwich and a mug of coffee please?"
"Ok, can I take the rest of your orders?" he asked.
She spoke next asking for, “Can I have a chicken sandwich and a Chai Latte please.”
Gary was the next to speak, “A bowl of tomato soup and a fresh baguette please.”
Sandra spoke next and asked for the same as Nibs, except her drink was a coffee.
Tina spoke last and asked for a salad sandwich and an Earl Grey tea.
“Thank you, please take a seat and your orders will be with you shortly.” responded the man, who walked out to the kitchen area. Very soon a middle-aged woman appeared at the door and quickly looked around, saw no one new and disappeared into the kitchen. About ten minutes later the woman appeared carrying a large tray to the table and placed the tray down and speaks, “Chai Latte?” as Nibs indicated that it was hers, she passed it to Nibs. “Coffee?” both Paul and Sandra indicated that was their drinks and passed them to them, "Earl Grey?" Tina indicated that she ordered that and accepted it as the women passed it to her. “Your sandwiches and soup will be with you shortly.”
Paul responded, “Thanks.”
A couple of minutes later, the man returned carrying a tray laden with plates, sandwiches and a bowl of soup. He, like the woman, set it down and passed the plates and bowl to each person, asking Abs, “Do you wish to order some food ma'am?”
“No thanks, I’m quite all right, thank you,” responded Abs.
The door to the street open and two men walked in, each wearing a light blue short-sleeved shirt and black trousers, both wearing police gunbelts with a 9mm automatic and other assorted police equipment.
The man looked up and says, "Ah Sheriff, Deputy. How may I be of help to you?”
“Brian.” the older man said in response, “Food and drink for myself and Thomas.”
“No problems.”
The two men took a table in front of the window and, after the man finished handing out the food, he went over to the men and took their orders, then disappeared into the kitchen.
The group tucked into the food and silently finished the food, she listened to the Sheriff and Deputy as they are chatting about the general happenings in the town and local area.
When the guys had finished eating, a young woman stood behind the counter; smiling at the group as Gary walked up and paid the bill; then he followed the group outside, clipped the helmet to the bike, as when they had left the IC the law about wearing helmets no longer applied. They all mounted and started the engines and departed heading north.
“Not too far now is it?” Sandra asked over the comm. system.
“No it isn’t,” she replied after checking her PDU which was clipped on to the handlebars, “The turn-off is five-to-six miles ahead and off to the right.”
After travelling six miles Abs saw a sign pointing to the right indicating that the dirt road would lead people to Timber campsite, signposted as being 40 miles away. All six bikes slowed, turned right and started up the 19-odd miles until they turned and headed east up to Darla’s country retreat.

*****

Up at the house Darla, Angel and Damieel were stood in the kitchen. Both Angel and Damieel were dressed in combat fatigue trousers and a green tight vest top. Both carried Academy MZ65Ks on shoulder straps and had two extra magazines on the opposite side of their bodies.
The kitchen was a large square area surrounded on two sides by open-top counters; the only way into the kitchen, from the rest of the house, was from a set of stairs on the south-east side closest to the front door. Along the north-west wall was a large fireplace where a nurance was slowly turning on a spit. The kitchen was made from the local forest. Even the fire beneath the pig was local dead wood. A door on the north west wall lead to a small out house which housed the wood supply for the fire places.
"Shall one of us go to the main road mistress?" asks Angel.
"Yes,” she replied and continued after looking at the clock, “Angel if you leave now you should meet them on the dirt road, but go right to the junction with the main road.”

As Angel left the kitchen she headed for the front door, as she passed the coat tree she grabbed her leather jacket and slid it on over the SMG. When she had exited the house she heard the bird song and chirp, chirp of woodland life. Her trike was in the garage, which also doubled as the main workshop. She sat on the seat and hit the electric start and selected reverse and slowly pulled out of the garage and headed down the track that led from the track that went to Timber campsite.
As she drove at about 25 to 30mph down the uneven road she got a strange sensation, the hair on the back of her neck stood and she felt very euphoric, as if she had just smoked a compete blunt at once. As she drove she felt the sensation die away as she got further and further from, what she could only defined as the source.
As she turned down the track towards the main road, she saw the rest of the guys heading up the track towards her. She turned her motor-trike around and waited for then to get to her and she joined the group as they waved and passed her. She directed the group up the dirt track heading for the house after about twelve miles the ground started to rise and the track went up, the track followed the cliff edge for most of the route to Darla’s.

*****

At the house Darla and Damieel heard the approach of the bikes and wandered towards the front door to welcome the guests. Damieel and her stood on the veranda at the top of eight steps up, it also had a swing seat on it now.
The guys pulled up and parked, climbed off and then started up the eight steps to the veranda and onwards into the house.
“Welcome to my parents and now my country retreat, everyone,” she said as they got to the veranda. “Please hang your coats on the coat poles and make yourselves at home, normal Vixen rules apply.”
Everyone traipsed in side and deposited their bags near the two coat poles that were located near the front door. The layout of the living room had been slightly changed from when the twins and her had arrived a couple of days before. The sofas and arm chairs had been moved around slightly so to face the large window that ran the entire length of the south side of the house. The view was one of looking out over the tall Willabba pines and other tall forest trees.

Nibs said to Sandra, “What a beautiful view.”
Sandra replied, “Yeah your not kidding are you.”
"Damieel go and put the kettle on," said Darla after everyone was inside
"Yes mistress," responded Damieel and she disappeared into the kitchen.
Darla pointed to the door up the stairs and said, "That leads to the bed rooms. And down there," and she points to the other door, "thats the cellar door." Off to the left was another set of steps which led to an open plan kitchen, where Damieel was preparing some drinks. Just beyond the window was a large veranda with a wooden garden table and chairs. Surrounding the veranda was a waist high railing. All the internal walls of the house was very much like the external, made from wood painted with a light varnish. Everyone moved into the seating area and sat down, then they all took out their tins and either rolled a blunt or loaded a pipe. Then everyone smoked them and relaxed after the long drive.
“Nice place you have here Darla,” said Gary, after Damieel had passed out the drinks.
"Thank you Gary,” replied Darla, “I thought relax tonight and have fun tomorrow and the next few days. Then decide what to do after that."
"Don't the Forest Rangers mind this being here?" asked Sandra as she was sat beside her partner looking out over the forest.
"No, my mum and dad where both worked for the Surra Forest Rangers before they passed away. Its one of the perks of the job, the rangers get to build their own homes in the forest they work in. So therefore mum and dad built this place. It was passed to me in their wills."
"Very nice."
The rest of the evening was spent chilling enjoying the company of everyone. About 10ish both Nibs and Sandra excused them selves and went to bed. Let’s just say they didn't sleep much that night. As their room overlooked the cliff and it was a clear night.

*****

Chapter 17 — The surprises.

At some point during the night Sandra lowered her head and laid it on Nibs' chest and they both fell into a restful sleep.
She was the first to wake and looked at her PDU and saw it was only 07.30BN, both her and Sandra must have got only a few hours sleep but it felt like a full nights worth. The sun was streaming through the window, she looked down and saw her partners head resting on her breasts, and just lying there with her life partner she realised she had found who she was at last. She lifted Sandra's head off her chest and moved a pillow so it was under her head and lowered it back and slowly slid out of the bed and quietly walked across the wooden floor. She picked up a dressing gown from the back of one of the two chairs, exited the bedroom and walked through the corridor to the living room. When she walked into the in the living room she saw both Tina and Abs lying arm in arm on the cushions. She crossed the living room to the kitchen and made herself a cup of chai and walked back across the living room towards the veranda. As she crossed back towards the veranda she spotted her tin and patar laying in the same place as she had left it the previous night. She slid the door back and walked into the fresh clean air. She then walked to sit on one of the garden chairs and placed her cup of chai on the table and just looked out across the tree tops. It was a beautiful sight, Darla's family had found a most beautiful place to build there retreat. The sun was warm and pleasant and she was at peace with herself whilst she sat there absorbing the sun's rays.
After a while, which she didn't care how long it was, the door to the house slid silently open and Sandra quietly walked out and kissed her on the cheek. She moved her head and kissed Sandra back.
"Thought you were out here. I distinctly remembering going to sleep on your breasts last night and then waking to find a pillow under my head." she shook her head at her all the time smiling.
"The sun woke me hun and I couldn't get back to sleep. So I got up and just sat here and relaxed."
"Where's your tin?" Sandra asked as she walked around the table and placed her cute bum in one of the other chairs.
"In the living room where I left it last night."
"Oh good as long as it not lost."
The next thing the two knew was Darla coming out blearyed eyed carrying Nibs’ tin. "Who's tin?"
"Mine Darla. I knew where it was and that it was not going to be nicked."
"True, but never let it out of your sight."
"Ok. Mistress," she responded with a hint of mirth in her voice.
"Watch it you. Just cause Angel and Damieel are my slaves don't mean I can't have another one in my stable," responded Darla to the comment. "Anyway, what’s the time?" asked Darla.
"Don't know, don't care," responded Sandra.
"When everyone is awake and up, I'll show all of you the reason why I asked you here. It’s in the basement."
"Oh sounds interesting," she responded.
"Oh I think you all will find it good and interesting."
Soon after Darla had walked out Damieel walked out carrying a tray with 3 steaming cups of coffee, a jug of milk and a bowl of sugar, "Breakfast is on its way mistress."
"Thank you Damieel," replied Darla.
Damieel placed the tray on table and placed a cup in front of each of the three seated at the table and then placed the milk and sugar in the middle and then she returned to the house.
After about 10 minutes both Angel and Damieel appeared in the door way leading from the veranda both carrying trays with steaming plates piled high with a cooked breakfast. They placed the plates in front of the each person seated. Then Angel asked Darla, "May we join you mistress?"
"Of course you may girls, grab a seat and enjoy yourselves. You both know you ain't cooking tonight, don't you?"
"No we didn't mistress. Do you not like our cooking?" Angel said with a sad face appearing on both of the girls.
"No. Don't you two fret. I'm cooking tonight and just for once no help in the kitchen other than maybe a bit of washing up after dinner. I am intending to do most of the prep washing up before we eat, to give you both you, Angel," Darla said looking at Angel. "And you Damieel." Darla turn her gaze to Damieel. "A break. I am not the only one on holiday here, you two are as well."
"Thank you mistress," both Angel and Damieel said simultaneously.
"And another thing, drop the mistress, yes you two may have once been my slaves, but now I think you two are more than that to me and if I’m not mistaken to everyone else as well," she said whilst smiling at both Sandra and Nibs.
"I think so," she responded.
"And so do I," responded Sandra and Paul as he walked out of the house carrying a glass of orange juice.
"May I assist you in preparing dinner this evening Darla?" she asked
"Thank you Nibs. It would be a pleasure to have you assist me."
About twenty minutes later both Tina and Abs stuck there heads out of the house and looked as if they where still half asleep. "We are planning on going for a walk before breakfast. Any of you want to join us."
"I'll join you," replied Sandra, "I need a walk to settle the large breakfast I've just finished."
Both Angel and Damieel went to stand, but before they could Darla said, "No you two stay put. You don't mind preparing breakfast when you get back do you Tina, Abs."
"No, it’s no problem." they both replied.
Abs, Tina and Sandra disappeared leaving Nibs, Darla, Paul who moved from standing just behind his sister to the chair she had vacated, Angel and Damieel sitting in the warn morning sun.
A short time later Gary appeared and joined the group on the veranda. “Where are the girls? No offence Nibs,” asked Gary.
“Out having a walk around the local area,” replied Darla.
“Arh, ok,” said Gary.
“Has anyone thought about adding another new member to the Vixens?” asked Paul.
“No,” replied Darla.
“Who did you have in mind Paul?” asked Gary.
“Amy, from over the road to Homebase,” responded Paul.
After a few minutes of thought, Nibs said, “I’ve chatted to her, on a one to one a couple of days ago, I think she’s sound, but remember Paul, she’s not from the world of gangs, gang violence, guns, and such?”
“I know, but we had similar apprehensions when Sandra brought up asking you to join us,” Paul said, “to which Gary, if I remember right, came up with similar arguments against asking you.”
“I did, and I am very happy that I was wrong,” said Gary
She took a sip from her cup of coffee, which was getting a bit cold, so she got up and ask, “Anyone for more coffee?”
“Yeah me,” said Gary.
“And me,” said Paul after looking in his cup.
She disappeared and after pouring out the last of the coffee from the percolator and refilling it, she returned to the group.
“I think it would be a good idea,” said Darla. “I will probably not be around in a couple of years, and all of you lot are 17, 18 year olds, even Angel and Damieel are only 20.”
“Now that’s true Darla, and it will be a sad day when you retire from active combat,” said Paul. “You have been an excellent guide on the way the Vixens have grown.”
“And soon it will be time for the students to become the teachers,” responded Darla, “and I think the best teacher is sat at this table right now.” Darla was looking at her which she picked up on.
‘What does she know,’ she thought. ‘Does she know things I don’t about me.’

*****

The three girls went out and turned towards the mountains and walked through the forest on a path. The forest surrounding the path was not as thick as the main forest and let quite a lot of light through the tree canopy. This did mean that the ground was littered with brambles, ferns, and other forest ground plants, Sandra who was leading the girls, stopped after a while and pointed ahead at the path, on it was a couple of small rabbits which had stopped and were looking around then suddenly they disappeared into the undergrowth. All three of the girls smiled and continued walking along the path, which continued up a slight incline, until the path exited the forest into an open area on the edge of the cliff as it turned from going North East to going in a more northerly direction.
The three of them just stopped, stood and looked out from the viewpoint. The viewpoint over looked the Low Back Mountains which where covered for about half their height in forest, and the tops of some of the higher mountains where snow capped.
"You know something. This is a beautiful place Darla has here," said Tina as the girls stood and looked out over the view point.
Set back a little way was a trunk of a tree lying on the ground facing the viewpoint just in front was an area that was blackened and the area had some stones surrounding it, indicating that the area was used as a fire pit.
"I must bring Nibs here before we go, she is going to love it," Sandra said as her face was one of great happiness.
Abs and Tina walked up to the log and sat down, Abs continued the thought that was going through all the girls’ minds, "I wish Darla had told us about it sooner. As I think it would have become our retreat from the hectic life we all lead in the city."
"Yeah I know it would have been nice to know, but we know now and that’s what is important," continued Tina.
"Very true it is," finished Abs.
After sitting at the view point for the time it took to smoke a pipe. The girls continued their walk and returned after 30 minutes to the house. When the girls returned to the house they found the rest of the guys where up and both Nibs and Darla where in the kitchen cooking a good hearty breakfast for the guys.

*****

As Abs and Tina walked up the steps to the kitchen, they both asked, “Is there anything we can do?”
The kitchen was modern with an old world appearance using natural wood for the tops and all the doors to the cupboards done in a similar way as was the rest of the house a dark varnished pine on all four sides where long working surfaces with the stairs up located in the south east corner near the main front door. The cupboards where located both under and over the working tops and where filled with general supplies and food. Along the north west wall was an open fire place where a small fire was burning under a large blackened pot and inside it was water which was steaming. Next to the fire was a six ring hob, and under the hob was a full oven. The only major piece of kitchen equipment missing was a microwave. Under the main window was a double sink and extending from both sides where draining surfaces. To the right of the sinks where a couple of open front cupboards with plates and cups stacked neatly. Above the plate cupboard was a rack that contained knives, forks, spoons and other kitchen equipment utensils.
“Not at the moment,” said Darla who was standing over the cooker.
Nibs turned and lent over the bench and said to Sandra, “Did you enjoy your walk hun?”
Abs and Tina both turned and followed Sandra who had replied to her question by saying, “Yes I did,” and she was wearing the smile she loved. Sandra walked out to the veranda where everyone looked happy and most were sitting eating breakfast or drinking.
Very soon afterwards both Darla and her walked out onto the veranda carrying another cup of coffee. Darla was carrying a tray with two plates, piled high with a cooked breakfast of a couple of sausages, egg, a couple of rashers of bacon, beans, and fried tomatoes. Darla put the two plates in front on Tina and Abs.
When breakfast was finished, it was around 11ish, both Tina and Abs volunteered to do the washing up and cleared away all the plates and cups. A short while later whilst the Tina and Abs were completing the washing up the rest of the guys wandered in from the veranda and sat in the living room still chatting about gangs, world and general stuff. When Tina and Abs had joined them in the living room.
Darla stood up, and said, "Now is the time for you all to see the reason why I invited you here this weekend," she paused and then continued, "Would you all please follow me."
She lead them to the door to the basement, she inserted the key into the lock and turned it. The lock unlocked with a clunk and she pulled the door open and like they did on the first time Darla had seen the passageway the lights that ran down the ceiling switched themselves on and illumined the down slope passageway. The passageway was fifteen foot across and about fifty foot long and as everyone in hushed silence followed Darla down the passage way she walked in to a room which lighted in a similar way as the passage was a large room about 180 to 190 feet long by about 150 feet on the north south axis, the south wall had eight high windows that let in a good amount of light.
The sight everyone saw was an armoury full of weapons, technology, equipment, armour, and other things Street Ghosts wanted to keep them alive. Almost everyone headed off for the weapons aisles, but Nibs headed for the equipment shelves. As she walked the length of the shelves, she looked and saw equipment she could only dream of. She remembered hearing rumours of Academy Tech being state of the art equipment in all areas of Street Ghost work. She looked on in wonderment as she passed a Beta grade Level 3 targeting and information rig.
Darla walked over to her and said, “You’re in heaven I can see.”
This comment from someone brought her out of the trance, “Was. I was in heaven. Now I am back in reality. Now I want to know what the armour at the back of the room is.” She headed off in the direction of the armour. Darla was as intrigued as it looked like street armour most of the cops wore when in tactical alerts.
When she arrived at where the armour was stored, like everything else it was labelled ‘Black Light Street Assault Armour’, “Fuck me, black light!”
“What is black light?” asked Darla.
“The rumours on BlackNet concerning what Black Light is, is it’s a coating that allows the wearer to literatly disappear from all artificial methods of viewing, including thermoptic.,” she replied.
“Fuck me. Where’s the letter I got when I was told about my inheritance,” said Darla, and she started to check her pockets. “I remember where it is now,” and she disappeared up the corridor leading to the living room.
Sandra wandered over carrying what looked like an MA240. “What’s that hun, an MA240?” she asked.
“No, MA260 Pulse rifle with under slung 30mm grenade launcher. Pump Action with 4 grenades.”
“Giv’me,” she said.
“Yeah no problem, there’s another 5 on the assault weapon racks. What’s the armour?” asked Sandra.
“It says black light, but I always thought black light was still in the very early R&D stages,” she responded.
Darla returned carrying the letter. “Hi Sandra,” said Darla. “Do you want me to read it, it’s in my dad’s handwriting?”
“Please,” she responded.
Darla started to read the letter, only when she came to the section on Academy Battle store, did she stop her, “Academy Battle Store?”
“Yeah, that’s what it says here,” responded Darla.
“Then that would explain a lot of the Academy technology on the shelves and would probably mean we have 25 what look like complete suits of Black Light armour.”
“What the hell is black light armour?” asked Sandra getting slightly annoyed.
“From the rumours on the Black Net Tech Forums, you literaty disappear under artifical vision means including both thermo, only the naked eye could spot you in black light. As it is a full suit of armour camouflage rules do apply.”
Sandra smiled at this. “Oh yes, the guys where heading up to the veranda, for a firing line, do you wish to join us,”
“Hell yeah,” both Darla and she said.
“I have one question, what is a pulse rifle?” asked Sandra.
“A pulse rifle it’s another sort of assault rifle except it works with electrical current rather than a firing pin. When you depress the trigger it causes an electrical signal to come into contact with the binary ammo the 260 normally uses, but like the 240 it’s a multi-weapon, it has the adaptation to take, normal rounds, and also has barrels and block assemblages for ISW, Sniper, Assault rifle and carbine variants.”
“Bloody hell, so how does it work?”
“The way you pull the trigger, the speed, hardness determine how many bullets fire, the selector on the side, has three settings, off, pulse, and full auto modes.
Sandra led them to the weapon shelves, Nibs picked up an Echo MA260 and two magazines. Darla grabbed The Academy ISW and a box of ammo for it, and followed Sandra up the corridor and out towards the veranda.
Stood on the Veranda was the rest of the guys including, Angel and Damieel.
Gary said, “Would the mistress of the house mind being firing line officer?”
As Darla took up her position the rest of the guys fell into the line. Each member carrying a different weapon, Abs was carrying an Echo 27 .55Cal Assault Sniper Rifle, Tina was carrying a modified Coltanar 85 Squad Assault Weapon, Gary was holding a Zonal Firearms DX-2 Assault shotgun, Paul was readying an BT Military Weapons and ammo M40 pulse rifle, Damieel was carrying an HK23 Assault Carbine and Angel was using a Echo Assault Weapons Close assault shotgun.
“Certainly. Why thank you Gary,” Darla responded, and then shouted, "Team, Weapons ready." She then paused slightly as everyone ready the weapons, "At the open sky in front take aim," another pause. The last command she issued was, "Firing line, ROCK AND ROOOOLLLLL." On this command the entire line just pulled the triggers and the combined sound was deafening but the smiles said it all. After a few seconds of firing the line stopped and everyone just laughed out loud.
As everyone quietened down after laughing, Nibs lifted the 260 to her hips, her thumb selected the full auto-mode, she then pulled the trigger plate and a few seconds later the 260 magazine was empty. Sandra who was stood next to Nibs, lifted her 260 and pulsed fired until the 100 rounds the 260 carried for each barrel was empty.
Angel was looking out into the area of space her shotgun was firing into, Nibs looked at her and Angel looked like a devil. Angel was muttering something under her breath, she caught a bit of it, “So Chit-tar negotiate with the worst evil,” then the laughter of Gary as he emptied his shotgun.
Tina down the end of the line hadn’t released the trigger on her Coltanar since the order to open fire was given. The end of the barrel was glowing a dull orange as the two hundred round box magazine was exhausted and it stopped firing. Tina shouted at the top of her lungs, “MY FRIENDS WE ARE GODS IN THE WORLD OF GANGS.
“LET ALL WHO FACE US FACE US FEAR US,” shouted Abs as she fired the last round in her twenty round magazine.
“LET THE CORPORATE WORLD FEAR US,” Nibs said.
“AS WE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,” said Darla to finish.
When everyone had calmed down after the high, she said with an evil glint in her eyes and a devil’s smile on her lips, “With this tech I say let’s put it to use. What type of workshop is it in the garage, Darla?” she asked
“I think it’s a general, but it has all the necessary gear for a basic electronics and micro electronics lab I think.”
The guys then walked in to the main house and sat on the seating.
“At last someone with a microelectronics lab,” she said when everyone had sat down.
“Why hun?” asked Sandra.
“I’ve been wanting to modify the communication system, to use all the channels, rather than just one.”
“You talking about the radios?” asked Tina.
“Yeah, I’m talking about improving them,” she responded.
“How?” asked Tina.
“The garage has an electronic and Darla thinks a micro electronics workshop.”
“Hell yeah,” said Tina said and moved closer to her to discuss the options for modifying the Communication System.
“If it is a micro electronics then I can add chips to the circuit board to allow voice activation and control,” she said.
“How, you need to be able to write ROM chips for that,” said Tina.
“I know you do, my tablet has a program that from what I can see does exactly that, and included was the software for exactly what we need a complete voice control system for communicator, down to person to person scrambled voice and data.”
“Oh, nice. Yeah exactly what we need, I also saw micro cameras that transmit live images back to a central control centre and at least four stationary communication systems, with secure scrambled digital and I think one had laser comm. options as well,” said Tina who smiled.
She noticed that she had a glazed expression about her eyes.
Angel and Damieel stood up and asked everyone, “Drinks?”
Most of the group nodded, ‘yes’ answers.
“I would love to know where Darla and her family got this stuff from,” said Tina.
“It’s an Academy battle store,” she responded.
“You say that like I should know what it means, remember you’ve been ghosting for a lot longer than I have.”
“True, ok. The talk on the forum boards is that the Academy is a training, research and design centre for the Street Ghost world, it trains elite ghosts. It also researches technology for the Street Ghost world to use to stay alive and to complete their missions. Some reports say that Echo Technologies set the academy over 60 years ago to counter the growing threat of Sec Com. a similar style of place but it trains people to work in the field of corporate security and similar. Sec Com relay on state of the art cybernetics and brainwashing, Academy people rely on technology and the intuitiveness of the humans.
“Have you looked in the equipment shelves, a lot of it is Academy technology. Most of the weapons look Echo Tech or Sister Company related.”

*****

In other conversations. Sandra said to Paul, “All this technology and no way of getting it back to the city or Homebase?”
“Yes they is,” said Darla, “I’ll get my family’s lawyer to purchase a couple of vans and we then go and pick them up from the city, and gather up the stuff we need from the city and bring it here and build our selves some combat vans,”
“Yeah, we could, but it would mean a lot of hard work for us, especially me as I am the only person here who can weld,” said Abs.
“Yeah true, but I wasn’t thinking of keeping it to ourselves, Misty and her crew should be allowed to use the gear as well, they are as much a part of this raid on Narizzan as we are,” said Darla, “and I know Misty can weld, and I think probably one more person could do it as well.”
Angel and Damieel stood and asked, “Drinks?”
Most of the group sat with them nodded their heads. Paul said, “Yeah thanks.”
“Ok, and did I hear you right you have a complete workshop and garage here as well,” said Abs.
“Yeah, it’s a good ten foot clearance and there is a large canopy box under the kitchen windows that extends out in front of the doors.”
“And the angle and extend of the eves help a lot in keeping the rain off workers. Side walls?”
“Don’t know,” responded Darla.
Nibs and Tina both got up and said to Darla, “Is the garage open?”
“I think so. I’ve not checked it,”
“Thanks,” they both said and disappeared towards the front door.
Abs moved to follow the two saying as she went, “I think I’ll join you two, hang on.”

Nibs, Abs and Tina headed out of the front door and tried the Garage doors, which opened, revealing a large expanse of work space the layout followed the rough layout of the kitchen and living room, with the area under the living room down a few steps as the floor was a good four feet lower than outside ground surface. Abs looked in and saw a mechanics heaven, all the tools she would need to customize bikes and other vehicles to specific specifications.
She saw that and what was beyond, down eight steps was the rest of the workshop, top end computers across the board, two digital projectors one facing the east and the other facing the north wall, around the edges and beneath the window, that almost ran the length of the south wall, was high tech analytical and scientific equipment, microchip creation equipment, peel and reseal equipment for making and modifying printed circuit boards, an Scanning Electron Microscope and numerous other pieces of scientific equipment. The three long science room style desks in the middle sat on glass screened cupboards containing beakers, flasks, and other equipment and supplies for chemistry and related physical sciences.
“I’m in heaven,” said Tina, “I never thought I would be able to have access to this type of scientific equipment.”
“What?” she said.
“During my years at school north of the river, I found that I really excelled at chemistry, and biology. I had the distinction of being the youngest pupil to have complete 100% access to the science labs, after school, by year 8. Give me a chemical formula and I’ll be able to work out how to make it safely,” said Tina in reply.
On the east wall at the corner nearest the windows was a door, she opened it and wandered up the passageway as it went up, it levelled out at about where she thought the living room floor was. She operated the door handle and the door opened inwards and was located next to the door leading to the basement.
“What the hell, where did you come from hun,” Sandra said when she had walked through a door that hadn’t been there 10 seconds before.
“The garage and workshops, we have a complete science, electronics, microelectronics and a complete mechanic’s workshops, and all the technology is top of the range stuff if not some experimental as well.”
“Hell, oh man. We where just talking about how can this equipment be used to help us in our ghost and gang operations,” said Gary.
“I would say we need some specialist large van sized transport or transports, the gear and supplies to modify said vehicles, and the man power to actually complete the work,” she said.
The twins walked back from the kitchen carrying a couple of trays on which was cups containing each member favourite drinks.
“Right I think Nibs has just answered the question,” responded Gary.
“What types of van you thinking about Nibs?” asked Darla.
“Three maybe four non descript long wheel base high topped transit style vans really, nothing that fancy,” Nibs said.
“Ok assuming we can get them how do we get them here and remember I’ve got the first playoff game on the Savraday and we did say we would help at that festival from the Moroth,”
“The vans won’t be to hard to get as I saw a second hand car place in town selling what we wanted or we can buy then in the city for cheaper but then getting them here is hard,” said Paul.
“No it ain’t I’m about to ring Misty and her group and invite them here, I think we should start to work out the raid proper and not just sit around chatting about it,” said Darla.
She picked up her cup and took a mouthful of the Spiced Chai Latte and smiled at the Twins who just smile back happy as every it seemed.
“And I’ve got to go back anyway, I need my tablet, it’s got a program I need here to upgrade our communication system,” she said, “So get the vans I’ll head back to the city tomorrow morning with a list of things we need to get, and meet Misty and her group and then convoy back with the vans.”
Both Abs and Tina appeared in from the concealed door, and came over and sat down and started to design the combat vans with everyone else.
By the end of the evening three vans had been designed and a list of the things had been gotten ready. Gary had left for the practice at about 4ish and would drive one of the vans back tomorrow. Darla had rung her lawyer who had gone out that afternoon and purchased three vans. He then had them all moved by the dealers to a specific car park to await collection in the morning. He also ordered the rest of the materials that would be used to construct the vans. It was all due to be collected from the various fabricators.
Nibs said her good nights at about 11ish as she was feeling tired and would be doing a lot of driving the next day.

*****

Chapter 18 — The Vans and Tech.

The next morning at about 7ish, Nibs’ PDU alarm went off, which woke her. She lent over and took the blunt she made the previous night, which was laying in the ashtray on the bed side table and lit it. She took a couple of takes from it, then got up and headed to the bathroom to wash, shave and do a basic makeup job, as she really don’t need much on. As for most of the day she was going to be either driving from metal fabricator to metal fabricator, or electronics shop to electronics shop.
About 07.30ish she walked back to her bedroom and put on her leather trousers and a t-shirt style top. She then headed for the basement where she went straight to were the black light armour was and took one of the cases, she opened it and checked the contents, which included one outer garment and all 93 ceramic plates. She then headed for the kitchen where she grabbed some bread and put it into the toaster and whilst it toasted she was waiting for the kettle to boil so she could get an instant coffee rather than messing around with the peculator. ‘Sandra must have had a good night as I didn’t hear her come to bed after I went to sleep,’ she thought.
She typed a quick text message, giving her ETAs at places, to Misty and sent it. About five minutes later a reply was received from Misty, saying she had received it and would meet Nibs at her second stop which was where the vans were parked.
Nibs left the house at about 7.45BN and headed for Forest Scope to refuel before heading towards Suraban.

*****

By about 09.15BN she had arrived at Homebase. She walked up the steps of the house and opened the front door, she saw a couple of items on the floor, one was the electric bill, which Nibs put on the side for dealing with when they got back. The other letter had a handwritten envelope and was addressed to the Bitch Vixens, Gangrel unit, and then the address of Homebase. She slipped it into the pocket on the side of the Rucksack she grabbed from her room she then switched off the laptop and tablet. When they had finished switching them selves off she slid them into their protective bags and then into the rucksack, she also grabbed a couple of the DD disks to back some things up to. She also dug out of her other rucksack her Digital Memory Player, where she kept 120hours of her favorite music tracks and 40hours of her favorite music videos. When she had gathered all the things she needed she unclipped the box from the passenger’s seat and took it inside the house. She removed her clothes and wiggled into the black light outer garment and then by a process of elimination, and the fact the plates just didn’t slide into any other slot. She inserted the correct ceramic plate into each pocket. Each time she closed the top of the pocket it seamed to melt into the armour material itself. When she had finished the time was 09.40BN she had to leave then or else she may miss the guy with the keys. When she got up and put her trousers, top and jacket back on it felt as it she wasn’t wearing an under layer.
Her next stop was the car-park near Misty’s where the lawyer said he would meet her. He was going to be there at 10ish. It was almost 09.40BN which gave her about 20 minutes to get there. She thought CW9, then off at junction 15, it was an easier route, bar any police holdups, otherwise it was off at 17.
As she was driving herself to the car park she realized what she had been feeling the plates must be nano technology bloody advanced nano technology. Nibs knew, ‘Nano technology is still in its infantice. It meant that all the rumour she had heard about the academy being 25 to 30years more advanced than the rest of the planet, was probably true.’

*****

When she arrived at the car park it was 09.58BN she saw Misty and the girls waiting a little distance away from where the three vans were parked. When she arrived she saw the lawyer standing beside the blue transit and slowly drove towards him. As she approached, the gent stood up and walked towards her. She stopped and climbed off, undoing her jacket so he could see her pistol and then made sure her hands where obvious to him.
When the gent was close enough he asked, “Nibola Calton?”
“Yes that’s me,” she responded.
“Can you tell me were Ms Darla Graham is please?” he asked
“She is currently staying at her late family’s forest retreat in the Low Back Foothills,” she replied.
“Thank you, and may I say you know the Street Ghost world I respect your actions this day, here are the keys for the three vans, I shall leave you to them and hope that my company is able to conduct business for you at some time in the future.” He said and handed over three sets of keys and a business card, which read, Grayson Lawyers Ltd.
He then just walked off in the direction of a car which was stood beside the exit, she then took out her PDU and rang Misty on it, saying when it connected, “Hi, its Nibs, I have the keys.” She then disconnected the phone and waited for the group to arrive.
A couple of minutes later three bikes were heard approaching from the other end of the car-park. When the bikes had arrived all five girls got off and wandered towards her.
Grezt asked her, “Where’s Gary?”
“Don’t know this is the only timed appointment we have today.”
After about fifteen minutes Gary turned up. When he had climbed off he said, “Hi, sorry for being late the traffic over the West Docks Arch Bridge was at a stand still.”
“Ok let’s get moving then, I’ve got everything we need from home base in the rucksack and case.” Nibs handed out the three sets of keys to Gary, Bee and Rachel, everyone helped load Gary’s bike into the back of the blue van. When it was in and secured. Misty, Grezt, Angelique and her led the three vans down the 6 floors to the ground floor. The first stop for the group was one of the two steel fabricators.

*****

The pickup from both the steel fabricators went like clockwork. Each one had all the things that had been asked for, the steel plates, round bar, the square bar, and the materials and supplies for the Oxy torch and welder ready to be loaded into the back of the vans. The electronics shops were also very helpful, both of them had prepared the orders before they had even turned up and the one of the shop staff even helped Gary and Nibs load the purchases into the van.
The next stop was to drop off Gary’s bike at home as later on in the week getting the vans back from Darla’s would be a problem if Gary had his bike up there as well. Nibs had already agreed to lend Gary her bike for the match on Savraday.

*****

Gary and her met up with the rest of the group at the truck stop where everyone filled their fuel tanks, and headed off in the direction of the Low Back mountains.
Gary said over the communication system, “If you girls want to get on and speed up, I don’t think Grezt or Bee really mind, do you?”
“No,” both of them replied.
“Ok,” thanks Gary, and four bikes accelerated away from the vans, Gary continued when the bikes had gone, “It will take a couple of hours at this speed, but who cares.” He lent over and dug his Digital Storage pen out and plugged it into the radio and switched it on. When the music started the journey didn’t bother him.

*****

When the vans arrived at the house, Abs, Tina and she were all waiting for the three vans to arrive so they could unload the electronics and supplies straight into the workshops. Misty and the rest of the girls were in the living room chatting and planning the raid and finialising the plans for the vans.
When Grezt had parked up and climbed out she headed into the house to say hi to everyone, also to get a drink. Bee went straight into the workshops and started to help unload the supplies. She also made sure everything was tidy and had a home found. They also started to make an inventory of all the items in the garage and the stuff they had brought. Sandra and Tina had moved some of the more useful tools from the armoury into the labs for easy access, and also testing the systems.
About 6ish, that evening, everything was away and everyone gathered on the Veranda where Misty and Darla cooked an excellent barbeque.

*****

On Torbar Nibs woke up early and decided to take a walk along the cliff edge.
She walked near the cliff edge until the forest thinned and opened into the small clearing which looked out over the tops of the trees in the valley that stretched from inside the mountains to as far as the eye could see. She looked around and saw the fire pit and log and walked to the log to sit down and look out over the scene. She looked out south, her eyes scanned the many mountains that where visible, most had a covering of forest until at least half way up their sides, some had the last vestiges of snow from last winter’s big freeze, this area had. Very soon she heard a twig crack and then the rustle of leaves and the word, “Damn.”
“Is that you hun?” she called out.
“It is babe,” came reply closely followed by Sandra. “I was trying to sneak up on you and surprise you.”
She just smiled and when Sandra was beside her, cuddled her. She whispered in her ear, “I will always find you Sandra, if you disappeared or where kidnapped, I would move heaven and hell to find you and rescue you. You know that don’t you.”
“Yes I do and I would do the same for you if the tables where turned.”
They both smiled and when their mouths met, she stroked her tongue along the lips of Sandra who’s mouth opened and their tongues played hide and sneak between each other’s mouths. When they broke they both just sat and looked out of the clearing.
“What are your plans for the day babe?” asked Sandra.
“The next few days working on the comm. system, assuming I have everything I need, it should take me about an hour to write 6 chips, and then another hour to fix and coat them.”
“I know Abs is going to need a lot of help today, with the modifications for the vans. Do you know what she is planning?”
“Yeah I do. You were there too?
“I know,” replied Sandra, “but things like what’s needed and the planning went well over my head.”
“Ok. Here’s the basic plan for the vehicles, the blue van is going to be where we keep a lot of the fire power and the mobile command base which is going to live at home base. The white one is going to be an equipment and ammunition store, and live with Misty and her group. The red one is a second command vehicle and general office. Both the command vehicles are going to have at least two stations in the back and one in the front, with the front having as much access as can be provided by the limited space. I think Abs is planning on getting as much done before the weekend and then finishing the work either during or after the festival has finished.”
“Ok, let’s go then,” said Sandra as she stood up and turned and offered Nibs, her hand to help her up.
“Thank you darling,” Nibs said with a hint of a mockery of an upper class voice.
“Har har,” said Sandra, and the two of them walked back hand in hand, when they got to the house they found Tina already up and just walking down the front steps. On the way back Nibs had picked up a nice branch which she would use to make a door stop for the workshop door.
“Hi you two,” said Tina as she passed them.
“Hi Tina,” she said and started up the steps towards the house. When they got inside they both turned and headed for the kitchen to either get or to make a coffee. “It looks like Tina got here first,” she said when she saw the peculator was about two thirds full.
“So I guess your heading to the workshop now?” asked Sandra.
“No, I’m on holiday, and I intend to enjoy it as well as working, plus the work I’m doing ain’t that hard and I have the program and coding for the chip already written.”
After collecting their coffees, they headed for the veranda, where Bee and Angelique where sitting.
After stepping from the house, Bee turned around and said, “Hi you two.”
“Hi Bee, Angelique,” said Sandra.
Bee had an MA260 propped up against her chair and Angelique had an HK29 Assault rifle hung from the back of her chair. Angelique turned and asked, “Where’s your weapons?”
“Right here,” she said pointing to Bee and hers. “Think about it do we need to carry anything more than a pistol when some of the people here are carrying assault weapons. Should anything start we will have enough time to get to the basement and get ours, and surprise the arse holes when they get double the level of firepower suddenly.”
“True,” said Bee.
“I guess your heading into lab today then Nibs?” said Angelique.
“Yeah, in a bit, I will be heading that way,” she replied, and unsheathed her knife and started to whittle down the branch she had found.
“What’s that for?” asked Bee.
“A door stop for the door to the labs,” she replied.
“Good idea, it needs it,” said Angelique.
Bee got up and picked up her MA260 and said to the three, “I’m heading for the workshop to start on the cupboards for the C and C vehicle. I hope Abs is up soon as I need to know the specifications for the boxes.” Bee then disappeared into the main house.
The three of them just sat on the veranda for a while soaking in the sun. When she had finished the door stop she got up and said, “Chat to you two later.”
When she was inside she headed to the left hand side and starting beside the armoury door she tapped the entire wall so she could locate the door. She then found the concealed handle that opened it, and opened the door, she then stuck the door stop in place to hold the door open. She then walked down into the lab and workshop and found that two of the base-station units had been set up on the side ready to test the communication system. Tina was sat at the computer calibrating the Digital signal so the teams Communication system could pick up the base-station signals.
“Arh, Nibs, can you help here, I’m trying to calibrate the base station to our communication system. The communication control boxes won’t accept the digital signal.”
“Right, ever thought it may be the communication control boxes that aren’t calibrated correctly to the base station,” she responded.
“No I hadn’t thought of that.” Tina then pushed herself along to where the test communication system was set up and inserted a small screwdriver, she took from her pouch, into the calibration hole. She turned it a quarter turn and heard the test signal from the base unit. “Got the test signal now.”
“Right, time for the real test,” she said, and placed the microphone system in place and said, “Hi Tina.”
“Heard that Nibs,” responded Tina when she heard Nibs’ voice over the ear piece she was wearing. “Good, Now I know it’s the communication control boxes.”
She laughed and walked over to her rucksack and took out the Tablet computer and base station, placed it on the central bench nearest the PCB circuit writer and plugged in the power. She then booted it up and ran her copy of High TuCoder. She then loaded the Chip writer program and then spent the next couple of hours checking the code and the data files, after reading through the code she was happy with it and hit the run key. The High TuCoder compiler ran, compiled the program which then ran and compiled the data files. It asked to have the cable that would connect the chip writer to the computer inserted, which she did and wrote one chip using her voice pattern files from one of the dictation programs she used.
When the code had been written Nibs unplugged the chip writer and took the chip to one of the spare communication systems and opened it. Inside she saw that when Tina had designed the system. She had thought about upgrades and had installed a blank chip holder on to the circuit board. She inserted the chip and switched it on. As a part of the test code on the chip it had been programmed to respond to the primary voice by saying hi. Nibs spoke into the microphone and listened to the response over the speaker she had plugged in, she heard the word hi emitted from the speaker, and when she heard that she smiled as phase one had worked, now to sort out the command codes. She booted up the nearest computer hoping there would be an inventory of the supplies in the lab.
Abs walked through and headed for the workshop.
“Morning Abs,” she said as she passed.
“Oh, morning Nibs, sorry, miles away,” responded Abs with a start.
“Yeah I guessed.”
The computers had not only an inventory but also had some advanced programs and projects stored on them. The archive that caught her eye was called CommandProcessorCoding. ExecuatableDataFile, she doubled clicked the file which brought up a list of the other files stored in the archive. She then hit the extraction button and extracted the archive to the computer. When it was finished she took a look at the data file coding and realised that the files had the ability to learn what each command meant and what it should do. Nibs thought, ‘Putting this coding on to the ROM chips to activate the system and the coding onto the Processor it should mean that we have total control of the system. The question isn’t whether or not it works, it’s whether or not the programs are compatible with our system.’
Nibs spent the next three hours going through the coding and the comments.
By the end of the three hours Nibs thought, ‘Who ever wrote this knew what they were doing, and they’ve also followed the best practice in the commenting of the program.’

*****

As Abs walked into the workshop, she saw Bee had cut three of the sheets of 5mm steel into lengths indicated by Abs on the rough plans they had made the previous day. Outside under the awing was the Blue van. Inside was Grezt, who was removing the wooden paneling inside the Blue Van so they could insulate and armour it from small arms at least. She picked up a tool belt and checked the power charge of the cordless items, they were all pretty much had a full charge. She then walked out to the blue transit and looked inside and saw Grezt just getting the last piece of paneling off its support brackets. She looked around the inside and saw that Grezt had also removed the brackets by using an angle grinder. The area around each was smooth as she had smoothed the surface. She took the panel out when Grezt had passed it to her. As she moved away Grezt turned and picked up the angle grinder and pulled the trigger. She then went to place it against the first of the eight brackets. She carried it and laid it up against the side of the house, where the rest of the panels were. When the last of the brackets had been removed Grezt exited the van and said, “Hi Abs how’s you this morning?”
“Not to bad thanks. How’s you?” she asked.
“Not to bad thanks.”
Both of them walked to where the 8mm armoured steel was stacked. Grezt asked, “How are we going to armour the van?”
“That I’m still working out, I thought that we could heat the sheet with the oxy torch and then mould the sheet to the van’s walls.”
“We could, but I was thinking cutting the sheets to fit the areas and the weld it to the van walls and to the next piece in the chain,” Grezt suggested.
“Now that is a good idea, as it will allow the injection of the insulation to be done and allow it to dry and solidify completely,” Abs responded, “and as it solidifies it will expand to fill the gaps and expand through any gaps we miss when welding the plates in place.”

“True,” Grezt responded and grabbed the first sheet of armoured Steel and carried it to the work bench and using g-clamps made sure it was fixed down. Grezt when went to the van and measured the panels inside and wrote the dimensions down. When she had all the dimensions she grabbed her cordless angle grinder and walked over to the work bench. She then drew the shapes of the panels on to the sheet and used the grinder to cut a basic oblong shape and took it and fitted it up to the inside, she then drew the shape of the corners on to the panel so it would sit flush with the structured framework.

“What about the actual frame work?” asked Bee.
“We’ll have to cut into the frame work and weld it back when the armoured steel has been welded into place.” Abs replied.
The pair then turned and walked back into the workshop where they started to work on the metal cupboards for the weapons. She cut the 5mm sheet into the necessary shapes and then she dragged the second welder over and spot welded each of the pieces together, when she was finished she and Bee carried it to the van and slotted it in so it was located over the rear wheel arch. Bee then bent over the top and marked the actual metal with the shape of the wheel arch. They then carried it back out and cut the hole for the wheel arch out. Abs then cut some new pieces of metal so to fill in the hole and sealing the box.

Around mid-afternoon, the rest of the guys wandered in and asked if there was anything they could do to help, Abs had a load of jobs ready of them to do. Sandra walked into the tech lab rather than the workshop and asked Nibs the same question.
”Of course they is, can you go to the armoury and collect all the technology that you think would be useful to us when on operation,” she said.
“Anything specific?”
“No, just use your common sense,” she responded.
Over the next few days everyone was involved in modifying the vehicles and technology.

*****
On Frodar evening during the wind down. Gary got up and said, “Right guys I’m going to say bye and see you lot on Moroth at the festival.”
“Oh right you heading back now then,” said Misty.
“Yeah, I have a playoff game I’m playing in tomorrow evening,” said Gary.
“Bye then, see you on Moroth then,” everyone said.

*****

About 10ish in the evening Sandra, Nibs, Paul, Abs and Tina wandered out onto the veranda and sat under the stars looking up and out into the universe above. Sandra said, quite out of the blue, “I wonder what it is like out there, in the universe I mean?”
“A very philosophical question for you hun, that,” responded Nibs.
“I know, sometimes I do think about things that interest me, I would love to know what KRX is mining on the second moon, and what Echo Tech Inc is doing on the three orbital platforms they have in operation orbiting the planet,” Sandra said.
“Those things aren’t easy to find out,” said Tina.
As the conversation was happening she continued to look up at the stars wondering what was out there, beyond the second moon and the close orbit. She had heard some people say that the galaxy was over 4.5 million light years across, but others had said that the galaxy was only the system Darra Von was in.
“Yeah, well, who cares, as I have all my closest friends along away from everyone else, I was thinking who’s up for a little hunting trip?” Sandra asked.
“Yeah,” said Abs, “Me. I need a break, 95% of the work is done just the little things like putting the panels back and such, and the vans are pretty much finished.”
“I have definitely finished the work on the communication system and it works like a dream,” said Nibs who grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
She looked at her and saw her looking out over the forest and mountains, smiling. Her entire face was one of pure happiness.
“Oh yeah, what you done to the system?” asked Abs.
“The system had four channels I’ve taken the three spare ones and made one a private channel or a general announcement channel, the other two either transmit a data stream from any technology we carry or they can be extra communication channels. I’ve also added a complete voice activation and control system to it along with a carrier signal transmission, that allows the others to know who’s on and receiving.”
“Voice activation?” asked Abs sounding surprised.
Tina replied, “The system requires that everyone has their own communication. box as it requires a known voice to control it, but lets say you, Abs, wanted to chat to me on a private matter, you would say communicate Tina end, and the communication control box would open a private channel between you and me.”
“Arh, I get you now, so if I want to chat to say Nibs, Sandra and you, I would say Communicate Nibs end,” responded Abs.
She looked over to where Paul was sitting and saw he was happy, very happy.

“No,” Nibs said, “I’ll brief everyone on Moroth at the festival but the end command finished the command, using your example you would say communicate Nibs, Tina, Sandra end and that would open the channel to the three of us and also open the return channel, the carrier signal carries a lot of information in it.”
“What about the data channels though?” Abs asked, “Sorry for all these questions.”
She looked at her other two friends and saw the same happiness as she did in her love Sandra.
“Don’t be, it lets me and Tina know what the group will want to hear when we are giving the briefing. The data channels, one is dedicated to live video feed, all the black light armours have fittings for a small high definition camera. Each suit has two cases one is the armour and the other is the technology options available, which include an external Smart scope HUU, Thermo and UV image intensifiers, targeting scope, full band radio communication package.”
“Why ain’t we using those instead of ours,” asked Abs looking very surprised.
“Position Locators, all of them have a position locator inbuilt and until I know for sure who’s receiving the data I’m not willing to use them, it compromises our independence to have someone outside the group knowing where we are.”
“Put it that way, I do agree with you.”
“Everything else is hard wired into the suit via the head block, the helmet has all these functions as well, but I know for a fact I hate wearing a helmet, I do cause I have to. Over the last couple of days I’ve become accustomed to hearing the world and nature, rather than the city, and wearing a helmet puts a physical barrier between me and the world,” Nibs said.
“The hunting trip tomorrow what shall we do, use the bikes or go on foot?” asked Sandra.
“I say lets go exploring, there’s hundreds of footpaths some signposted some not, out there, lets go exploring, my PDU has a Position Lock system in built and it records each lock automatically.”
“There you go the perfect guide. What’s the resoltition Nibs?”
“A couple of meters I think, it isn’t much more, I spent a lot on the PDU and made sure its had all the upgrades and I keep the software updated automatically. A new update comes online, I get it.”
“I’ve done some exploring over the last couple of days; the hut just up the way has ten mountain bikes in, unused,” said Sandra, “And I’m betting you won’t be able to buy these for love nor money.”
“Yeah, somewhat,” she said sounding interested in the fact.
“And we all wear full Black Light, as I think we’d better get used to it, as I think we will be wearing it a lot over the next few weeks.”
“Yeah more than likely,” said Tina, “Well if we are going bike-hunting then I think we all should get some sleep.”
“I agree Tina,” said Abs and got up with Tina.
“We’ll come in a bit,” Nibs said.
“Ok, not too long though,” said Tina.
“Ok,” Nibs said and along with Sandra went back to looking out into the night’s sky. She wondered, ‘what was out there, no one could tell anyone what lay beyond our own control, but it’s the pull of the unknown that makes it more exciting and special if you find something amazing.’ About ten minutes later both Sandra and Nibs got up and went inside.

Chapter 19 — The Hunting trip

07:00BN Savraday
Nibs and Sandra woke as Nibs’ PDU played ‘Lost Death Mark’ by The Fallen Raven. She lifted herself to her elbows and kissed her partner, Sandra, on the forehead saying, “I love you hun.”
“The feeling is returned,” replied Sandra and swung her legs out of the bed. She then reached for her Cambar cigarette and lit it.
She then joined Sandra in taking her Cambar cigarette and lighting it as well. She then swung her legs out and after taking a draw on it, she grabbed her bath robe and put it on. After this was on she picked up her boots and PDU, which went into her Gangrel pouch. She carried that and waited for Sandra to join her.
Sandra quickly joined her as they headed for the armoury. As she passed the door for Abs and Tina she knocked on it and opened the door. She saw Tina’s head lift and smile. She did the same for Paul’s room. The pair continued for the Armoury and first headed for the kitchen and switching the coffee perculator on.
When that was on they headed for the armoury and when they had arrived she took four sets of two cases out and passed each one to Sandra. Who put then in piles of two. When three sets were out she grabbed the last two and made sure they had her name on them. Sandra looked at her strangley when she did.
“I wore this when I went to get the vans and I think it’s better that we each have out own separate suite rather than changing suits,” Nibs said as Tina, Abs and Paul appeared. “Good a quick briefing on what I’ve found out from wearing a suit earlier this week. The wet-suit garment has 93 pockets in and will only accept the correct piece, no other piece will slot into that pocket. Also label your cases, I’m not sure but I don’t think my suit is the same size as it was when I took it out the first time. Also you can’t wear anything that impedes body heat, hence me not wearing my forms.”
The three girls, and Paul along with Nibs all opened their cases after writing their names with a permant marker. From inside the case they all took the outer garment and untied their dressing gowns and slipped their legs into the trouser section of the suit.

Abs was the first to have pulled the top over her head and tucked in the overlap. She picked up one of the larger plates and tried it in the right breast pocket it and when it didn’t slide in she turned and looked at Nibs.
Nibs looked back at her and said, “Remember what I said about pieces only going into specific pockets, it’s a process of elimination more than anything.”
She nodded as she remembered what Nibs had said earlier and then tried it in the other pocket and found it slid in straight away with no resistance. She then sealed the top and found that the area where the plate had been suddenly became a very vicious mix of garment and something else. “What they hell!” she exclaimed and was joined by Sandra, Tina and Paul.

“From what I was able to find out from the computers in the lab are that the plates are made from nanytes, a good forty plus years beyond anything we have now. They had an inbuilt sensor that detects fast moving incoming objects and they then lock together and form a stiff area around the site. Except this area also has a bit of give in it. The one suit on display when Darla showed us the armoury didn’t have the nanytes power source which is body heat. I’m not sure what weapon they can defend against, but I bet it’s going to be most of today’s street fire arms. I think a lot of the one’s here are advanced enough to be a threat to the wearer,” Nibs said as she slotted the last piece and picked up one of the pieces for Sandra’s back and started to help her get sorted.
When everyone was sorted she opened the tech box and was followed by everyone else, she looked at Sandra who had a little smile on her face as if she was hiding something. “What you hiding hun?” she asked.
“Oh nothing except now I become the expert. When you and the others were busy and you didn’t need me I came down here and learnt about the tech on the armour worked,” replied Sandra as she bent down and retrieved the forest pattern camouflage outer. She put it on and then wrapped her utility belt armour her waist. On to this she picked up and clipped a small box with a power charger hole and two small pipes sticking out. Into these she plugged two tubes that looked like they were sewn into the camouflage layer when she switched it on a small display appeared and the over suit shrunk to fit her body. “A primitive environmental system, which should keep you hot or cool.”
“That I’m not so sure on hun. On Moroth when I was moving the stuff around I never once felt hot, I think the nanytes deal a lot with our body overheating.”
“That’s damn useful,” said Abs as she also switched the environ box on.
She soon joined the other four, she then took down a complete light weight webbing set and opened the main rucksack and dropped a sleeping bag in and to the bottom she fixed a bed roll. Into the main section she opened and packed properly three 24hr one day food packs. The nibbles and other easy to eat items she made sure was in the outer pockets, in the main section she placed the rest of the food items, the next item was a complete survival pack. She also picked up a small first aid kit and saw Sandra had slotted the complete first aid pack in to her rucksack.
“I thought it better if one of us carries a complete first aid kit and as you just slotted the complete survival kit home and Paul, Abs and Tina are selecting equipment. I thought I would carry that.”
“Ok,” she replied and she then picked her last item a small clip which she fitted to the top of her webbing back, this she knew would carry the weapon she was going to take. The next two items from the tech case were the head rig for the HUU she knew she would take in a minute and the second small box, except this one had a coupe of data plugs as well as the recharge port. Upon close inspection she saw that it fitted nicely together with the environ box and looked as it more could be added. She then plugged in the twin cables that ran from the head rig. The last item out was the small box of tricks that slotted onto the head left hand side of the rig. She lowered the actual eye piece so it was covering her eye and it was as if she was using her two eyes to see, not just the eye uncovered. ‘I’m impressed this tech is going to make as lethal on the battle field.’ She lifted the eye piece and saw Samdra was also fitting the head rig.
After Sandra had fitted it, and the checked it worked, she moved to help her with fitting the webbing. She lifted the webbing rig so Nibs could clipped in the front fixings. Sandra then clipped the two at the back. Nibs then lifted Sandra’s and allowed her to do the same. By the time the pair had finished clipping the other pouches to their utility belts Tina and Abs had both just left heading for the aisles where the sniper rifles where kept.
When the pair were ready they headed for the aisles they wanted and walked together until the aisle with the MA260s on where Sandra turned down, except she kept going. The weapon she wanted was a combat compound bow, which if the stats of the computer were right would mean the arrows would be fired with forces close to 800lbs which with the arrows she had seen beside it, were vicious looking. She picked up the bow and checked the balance and found it needed some stabilizing, and she picked up a single short rod and fitted the to the front. The next item was a small digital scope which she fitted to the off side and made sure the connection between it and the bow was good. When that was set she picked up a quiver of arrows and she strapped that to the right hand side of her pack. She dropped the eye piece into place and saw a targeting reticle in addition to the rest of the items in her vision. The one item she collected from the end of the aisle was a two foot long machete which she slid along with it’s scabbard down the left side of her backpack.
The last job to do was to fill the water bottles. She joined Paul, Abs, Tina and Sandra, all of them looked like they were ready. Abs looked a little annoyed with something.

Abs, Tina and Paul stood and when Nibs had passed them the webbing and packs. Abs like Nibs had picked up a couple of 24hour ration packs and emptied the contents onto the floor and slotted the snacks into the right side pocket and the rest of the food items went into the main pocket. She had already placed a sleeping bag into the very bottom and roll matt to the underside. The next items both she and Tina selected were a few of the survival items that were located on the back wall.
When the three back-packs were packed Tina lifted her webbing set and she set and positioned it for comfort, she did the same for Tina and Paul. All three headed for where the sniper rifles were stored. She had an idea of she and Tina wanted. Abs went to her new rifle the Echo 27 sniper rifle. When she was in front of it she picked it up and took from the cupboard beneath the sling and attached it to the rifle. She slung it and then collected six magazines of 30 rounds and slotted them all into the front pouches. She picked up a seventh and slotted that home into the weapon replacing the one she had emptied on Sumdar on the firing line.
She looked at Tina who was holding a Z2 and smiling. Paul was carrying a Coltanar TD-7, one of the more nasty weapons Coltanar constructed. It was only 10mm but the standard rounds were fin stabilized darts.
“Tech time I think,” she said and turned heading for the shelves holding the various items of weapon technology.
Tina and Paul quickly caught her up and Tina smiled at her. They entered the aisle where Tina selected a UV x200 scope. She stopped in front of a full smart scope modification for the Echo Series of weapons. She picked one up and slotted the unit to the right hand said. She then made sure the unit was locked into place as on the side of the rifle was a small data port which married up to the data port on the smart scope. When it was locked home she dropped the HUU over her right eye and on the display was of the room. When she saw the image she thought, ‘Something is wrong?” She grabbed the handle nothing was displayed on the screen. “What the hell is wrong?” she said.
“What’s up hun?” asked Tina
“The smart scope I’ve added isn’t working.”
“Try plugging it in,” replied Tina as she pulled the short cable at her left hand side. “The armour has a wire built into each arm than runs from the contact pads in the palms to the computer. And also plug in the data cable from the HUU.”
“Good point,” she replied and took the two cables and plugged them both in. This time when she grabbed the handle on the Echo 27, on the display appeared a target ring and all the rest of the information coming from the smart scope. “This screen is a mess.” The screen in front of her right eye changed slightly when she released the pistol grip. She walked towards the exit and waited for the rest of the girls to arrive ready.

“What’s up Abs?” Nibs asked when they had gathered at the entrance way.
“The HUU screen is a mess,” replied Abs.
“There’s a switch on the side of the HUU, it controls the eye scanner. I think one blink selects double activates it,” replied Sandra.
After a few seconds Abs and the rest of the girls found the switch and shifted the various screens around.
After the group was set they all walked up the passageway where Nibs asked Sandra, “Could you fill my two water bottles whilst I collect the communication systems.”
“Ok hun,” responded Sandra and took the two water bottles.
She headed down the ramp into the lab and took four blank units and her own one. She returned to the kitchen and walked to where the water bottles were located. She gave each of the group a communications unit and then picked up her two water bottles and slid each one home into their carriers on her utility belt.
After each of the group had picked up a communication system and fitted the microphone and ear piece in place they walked towards the front door.
When everyone was out side everyone checked the range to one of the trees with the range finder built-in to the HUU and then checked the range from the smart scope.
When all of the girls were ready they walked up the ramp and filled their water bottles. When they had departed the house Nibs asked, “Shall we take the pushbikes?”
“No,” replied Tina. “Abs persuaded me that it would be more fun to foot-hunt than bike-hunt.”
“Shall we go then?” asked Abs.
“Let’s,” said Tina and Paul.
The group walked the short distance towards the forest.
“Communication-check, everyone,” she said. “One, two, three.” When everyone had confirmed they had heard her she asked, “Shall I take point?”
“Yeah no problem,” said Abs. “I don’t care who leads. I would trust all of you with my life and I think everyone else would agree.” The group nodded its approval to what Abs had said and she continued, “All I am going to say is that I like last position in a line.”
“Why did you ask, hun?” Sandra asked her.
“Just wondered if anyone wanted to go first.”
“If you want to, then lead.” She gave a little pout to her.
She smiled and turned to the rest of the group who were following. “Ten meters or visible distance, whichever is shorter? Agreed?”
“Agreed. That’s a good operational distance,” said Tina.

Nibs turned and started onto the track through the edge of the forest. The track took them on a North-Easterly route away from the house. As soon as she had entered the forest, she took out her PDU and took a position lock and saved the coordinates. Nibs could see ahead that the forest was getting darker and more dense. Light still got to the ground but it was considerably less than at the edge.
“You know guys, this technology is going to make us one of the most deadly units the Gangrels have on the rosters,” said Sandra.
She then moved out slowly, looking around. After travelling ten metres, Sandra followed looking around for animals.

After a couple of hours of following dead tracks. Sandra saw an Elk and dropped to the kneeling position and brought the rifle to her shoulder and prepared to fire.
“Ulit, 400, 10 o’clock.” Sandra spoke over the communication system so she wouldn’t scare any other animals in the area.
“Your spot, your kill, Sandra,” said Abs.
Sandra knew that the other two thought the same.

Nibs readied her bow as Sandra had said ‘Elk 400’ so that it aimed left so that should the shot not be fatal, the elk was likely to move to the left and get nailed by an arrow. She doubted the arrow was really necessary, but the chance was there that Sandra missed or the animal moved suddenly it would be dead.

“Ok,” Sandra responded as she breathed slowly and in a controlled fashion. She squeezed the slack out of the trigger. Sandra paused to ready her breathing, released the safety catch and started to squeeze the trigger. The chemicals in the binary round exploded the bullet down the barrel, then there was a muffled crack as the bullet accelerated passed the speed of sound. Just ahead of the bullet was a cloud of chemical smoke. The next sound was the quiet twang of bowstring as Nibs loosed her arrow. There was a thud as the bullet struck the skull of the ulit and the ulit dropped down dead. The arrow flew down the left side and then thudded into a tree.
“Why the arrow shot? My spot, my kill?” she asked.
“Let’s say it was insurance. It’s better to kill the animal outright than to have it die in pain because of an injury that we caused. And, if you noticed, my shot was down the left-hand side, same height. The biggest difference is my arrows expand when they hit something, making a nasty mess of the area they hit.” Nibs then grabbed one from her quiver and operated the spring action on the expanders.
“Anyway, let’s go and get your catch and package it for the trip back,” said Tina.
“Yeah let’s,” she responded and she started to walk to where the kill had dropped closely followed by Nibs and Abs.
When they arrived at the kill site, they saw the mess that Sandra’s bullet had left.
“APEX round hun.”
“Oh, nasty,” responded Abs as she looked at the mess.
They spent ten minutes gutting and preparing the animal for transport. It was hung from a lowish branch and position locked so the group could pick it up when they returned to the house.

The next few hours were uneventful. Then they approached a clearing and saw two deer grazing. Before anyone could say anything, Nibs drew an arrow and Abs dropped to a kneeling position and had readied her rifle. Nibs drew the bow string back and aimed at the closest one to the edge of the clearing. A fraction of a second later, she had released the bow string and sent the arrow on its way. Abs pulled the trigger and there was a muffled crack. The two deer slumped down dead.
“Looks like we have dinner and a campsite to boot,” said Paul.
“Yeah it looks that way,” she said.
As the group approached the clearing they could see that it had been used as camp site, a darkened area in the middle indicated were a fire had been lit there. Surrounding the area were a few logs and stones.
“I’ll get on with butchering one of the kills,” said Abs.
“Sandra, Tina, Paul and me will gather fire wood and nuts and also try to find some water,” she said.
“Water? I don’t hear any,” said Sandra.
“Just because you can’t hear it, doesn’t mean it ain’t in the area. Very few people build a fire pit without a water source nearby.”
“That’s true,” responded Abs.
Paul had already dropped his pack off and stood ready to go with her. “Tina, Sandra. You two coming to help me gather firewood and vegetables for dinner?”
“Yeah,” said Sandra, releasing the pack and jumping up. Tina did the same.
She clipped her bow to the webbing as this morning she had installed a small clip that came with the bow. It allowed for easy transport, keeping both the hands free.
“Right here begins your first lesson in survival 101,” said Nibs. “The first lesson is easy; try not to get lost and not to run out of food. It’s one of the reasons I packed three days’-worth of rations this morning. But if you do get lost then the area you are in will more than likely be able to provide enough sustenance for people to survive. Come on, what did the hunter-gathers of twenty thousand years ago live on?”
“Nuts, fruits and things,” answered Abs.
“You done this before Abs?” she asked.
“I know basic survival, my dad is a hunter and goes to the North wasteland forest to hunt from mid to late fall every year,” replied Abs.
“Ah, Ok,” she said.
“That’s one of the reasons I said I would butcher the kill for dinner.”
She smiled and walked off into the forest. “First job is to find a water source as it will provide us with water and there should be edible plants nearby. Pick anything, but eat nothing, unless Abs or I have cleared it as edible. Ok you two?”
“Yes,” said all three and followed Nibs out of the campsite and down the hill.
After walking about ten metres, she stopped and signalled for silence. After listening she continued walking and said, “Water is this way I think.” Having travelled nearly a hundred metres, the group came upon a small gully in which ran a stream. Most of the forest had patches of ground plants, but sixty to seventy metres downhill from the stream was a great mass of ground plants. She stepped over the gully and stooped and grabbed a handful of red berries from a bush and ate one. She then passed some to Tina, Sandra and Paul saying, “Jattar berries, quite juicy and sweet actually for this time of year.” The three each took one and popped it into their mouths. They smiled at the juicy and sweet taste.
“Just wander and pick what you think will be edible. You’re not going to learn if you don’t try.”
“Ok,” they both said and started to hunt around the area.
“Don’t forget the firewood.”
“Ok hun,” said Sandra said. Tina just nodded as she was engrossed in picking all the berries.
“Don’t take too many Tina. The local animals eat it as well. Here’s your second lesson; learn to live in harmony with the environment. Don’t take too much or you may cause problems to the local animal life.”

“Ok,” Tina said and stopped. She looked around and spotted a tall bush, with things hanging from the branches. “Is this edible Nibs?”

“Chuck me one,” Nibs replied when she saw what Tina was looking at. Tina picked one and threw it to Nibs who, after opening the outer case, nodded to Tina.
After thirty minutes of gathering wood, Paul, Sandra and her had armfuls. Tina had already gone back, dragging a couple of large logs to keep the fire going overnight. The three wandered back to see Tina, under Abs’ instruction, clearing the fire pit out and putting most of the burnt wood in a pile close to the pit. She bent down, took her knife and scraped one of the logs Tina had brought back. When she had a small pile of strips, she put them in the middle of the darkened area. She then took out her flint and steel from her pack and scraped a few slivers of the large block off. Using the striker strip and knife, she caused sparks to jump and these caught the silver strips and that caught the made the pile of wood strips smoulder. She took some of the small twigs she had brought back and created a pyramid around the embers. She bent close and lightly blew onto the kindling. The embers started to glow red and then small flames leapt and began to lick around the top of the pyramid. After a couple of seconds, the twigs started to smoke and then burn. She put some more slightly larger twigs around the base of the fire, then sat back and waited for the fire to catch properly.
“Where did you learn how to do that?” asked Sandra as she sat back.
“In Spinnaya and Rudeash, I know five more methods of fire lighting. I didn’t do much when I was in Suraban, but I think that was down to my depression and also the bullying.”
“Anyway, you are now teaching some willing pupils the skills you know,” said Sandra.
“And also learning new ones as well, I hope,” said Abs.
“Oh yeah I am,” she responded. The pyramid collapsed a little so she put the twigs from the base into the flames. These quickly caught and started to burn vigorously. “Well we are going to need a lot more wood, people.”
Abs said, “The meat is butchered and hung. Come on Sandra, Tina. Let’s go get the wood. Remember we will need a lot as the fire needs to be burning all night.”
“Ok,” said both the girls. Paul, Sandra and Tina followed Abs as she walked out of the camp site.
“Abs, Sandra,” she called. “Go and fill the empty water bottles.”
“Good point,” said Abs.
She walked to where the packs where and grabbed the four empty bottles. There was a thud and a rustle as a water bottle landed near her. Abs looked at it, then at her, who was smiling, “Fill mine please, I’m putting the tea on.”
“What we got tea-wise?” Abs asked
“Nature’s own Jattar Berry tea,” she replied.
“Nice. Not had that before.”
“Nice change from the normal stuff,” she responded and stirred the mixture as the fire heated it. “Can you look for some wood for a spit and stands?”
“Yeah no problem,” responded Abs and left the campsite heading for the water. The others were already hunting for good sized logs and more berries, nuts and root vegetables. Abs called to the two of them, “Come here you two, I want to show you something.”
The two of them came over and looked at what Abs was looking at. Tina asked, “What is it?”
“A natural herb garden. You’ll find garlen under that plant, brissam stems, gristh leaves there, and sarg leaves there,” Abs replied, “I think Nibs is good at making sure people are safe. I’m more of a plant finder.”
When the group walked back to the campsite they saw that she had a cup and from the cup came steam.
“Have a drink and a break for a bit, then start dinner, which is roast deer and a vegetable stew I think.”
All of the workers went and grabbed their cups from beside the fire.
“Mm, very nice.” After letting the taste settle, she continued, “just the right sweetness and tang.”
“I have to admit that too, it is a good tea,” said Paul.
“Thanks guys, I’m just happy everyone liked it.”
“We need loads more wood, you can never not have enough wood for an open fire. Whatever we don’t use will get chucked in the morning before we leave,” said Abs.
“Ok,” said Tina, Paul and Sandra. The three stood up after finishing their teas and disappeared in the search for wood.
Abs dragged a large stone out and tipped a small amount of water over the top to wash it. She then got out the herbs and then passed one piece of branch to Nibs who looked at it and nodded her approval.
Nibs got up and collected the machete from the side of her pack. She swung the machete and cut the branch where required to make the spit. She then selected two sturdy branches from the wood pile and sharpened them. She then stuck the stands into the earth, turning towards the meat she walked over to where it was hung , and selected a good size piece. She pushed the spit through it and brought it back to the fire. She laid the spit on the stands and sat back down.
Abs had put some more of the smaller branches and logs onto the fire. The flames after they caught did just touch the meat in places but they died down after a while.
She took the herbs Abs had prepared and dropped them into a mess tin with a bit of water in and started to heat the mixture whilst the two of them started to prepare the vegetables and other items for the stew.
“Nibs,” said Abs out of the blue.
“Yeah,” she responded.
“If we hadn’t asked you to join the Vixens, what would you have done?”
“Don’t know, more than likely gone to college and then more than likely gone to work for one of the corporations I suppose.”
“Not work in the freelance industry?”
“It would have depended on the offers when I was near leaving college, I know Damien would have offered me a good package for me to work for him, but as I said I don’t know, way too many variables to even start working it out.”
Nibs dropped the first batch of vegetables into the mess tin. “Catch the fat dripping. We can use it tomorrow for breakfast.”
“True,” responded Abs as she grabbed a mess tin and caught the fat as it dripped off the meat.
“Waste not,” Nibs said.
“Want not,” responded Abs with a smile, “I see we got taught by similar teachers Nibs. My father and?”
“Nimbo, from Rujuniva he was living in Spinnaya, a beautiful country of forests lakes and mountains, and a lot of ice and cold.”
“Oh, I bet.”
“But a perfect place to learn survival techniques from.”
“Very true,” said Abs.
The pair saw Tina and Paul, both were looking concerned, walking back to the campsite carrying quite a few branches. “Where’s Sandra?” asked Abs.
“We found something and Sandra is trying to locate is mother,” said Paul.
“What did she find?” Nibs asked.
“That it’s we aren’t sure, it’s small, furry and has bright blazing red eyes,” said Tina as she dropped the logs in the pile. Paul joined Tina in dropping the wood he had onto the pile, he then sat near the fire and took a mouthful of water from his bottle.
After about fifteen minutes Sandra wandered back into the campsite, a bit despondent. “I wasn’t able to find its mother, but I’ve left it near the stream.”
“Oh, what the small ball of fur,” said Paul.
“Yes.” Then the five of them heard a whine coming from down the slope. “Hell, I can’t let it die out there, it isn’t right,” exclaimed Sandra, as she got up.
Nibs very quickly followed her out of the campsite and down the slope. Laying on the ground near the stream was this grey ball of fur. She walked up and down the stream looking for a dead animal, she turned around and returned to Sandra saying, “I can see anything. Ok, take it back to camp this evening we’ll do a search for its mother tomorrow.”
Sandra said, “Ok,” in response and bent down and picked it up and carried it back to the camp. “I don’t think we will find his mother, I think she may have fallen off a cliff or been killed someplace and the young one has wandered here on its own.”
“More than likely, but you never know.”
“Well anyway whilst he’s with us, I’m going to call him Daraus,” said Sandra as they walked back in to the campsite carrying the small ball of fur. She put Daraus down and it crawled a short distance awayjust lay there absorbing the heat generated by the fire. After a while he sat up and looked at each one individually and then went to each and gave them all a sloppy wet kiss with his tongue.
Everyone coughed, spat and wiped away the saliva. “Ok, I think you may be right Sandra,” Nibs said.

*****

A while later when the stew and the deer meat was cooked, Nibs took her machete and carved off a chunk. She gave it to Daraus to eat, who tucked into it ravenously. She just smiled and carved off a few smaller chunks, placing a piece in each of the mess tins. She then poured some of the stew into each of the mess tins and refilled each person’s cup with red berry tea. When she was finished, she called, “Dinner everyone.”
Sandra and Abs wandered back into the campsite from the direction of the stream, both Paul and Tina walked over from sitting on the ground looking up at the tree canopy.
When everyone had started eating, Paul asked, “How would you react to me asking Amy to join the Vixens?”
“I would have no problem with it if everyone else is ok with it,” said Sandra. “What about you hun?” she asked Nibs who was sat beside her eating.
“Paul already knows my answer. Gary, Darla, The Twins and I had a chat about it when you three went exploring.”
“Ok,” responded Sandra.
“Me too as long as no one has major reservations,” said Tina.
“Same here,” said Abs after swallowing a mouthful of food, “Excellent food Nibs, you have excelled yourself again.”
After the meal was finished, Tina commented, “That was the first meal I’ve had that’s been cooked over an open fire.”
“How come you are so knowledgeable about so many things Nibs?” Paul asked.
“Its things I’ve picked up on my travels. When my family moved to a new city I made friends with the locals rather than my own people. I think I could operate, culturally that is, in at least 60 countries and I know how to blend in and not stand out like a tourist. I also know eight languages fluently, one language semi-fluently.”
“Feck, you’re kidding Nibs!” exclaimed Abs. “I have problems with Portguule, that’s incredible.”
“How many countries can you operate in totally?” asked Tina as she put her cup down empty.
“23 without major problems, 37 if I’m very lucky. It takes me about three months to pick up and understand a language to be fluent. I’ll tell you a story about one school I attended. The teacher that took us for the native language classes was an arrogant bitch, she thought herself so much better than the rest of the class. I broke into her house and took some pictures; I was planning on humiliating her on my last day. Oh I did use my skills for things like that,” she was nodding her head in answer to an unspoken question, “but she deserved it. On my last day in school, I was moving the next day, I had her last and I sat where I normally sat at the back of the class. About five minutes from the end of class I stood and commanded her to shut the feck up, in the native tongue, and to translate what I said accurately. I pealed off a long line of swear terms that only a person fluent could real off and at speed as well, she stood there shocked. Give her due she did translate some of the stuff. As that was my last class of the day when the bell rang I disappeared with the class throng as they left the class and was gone. I do wish I could see some of my friends from those countries.”
“What you thinking about hun?” asked Sandra as she placed her arm around her waist.
“Oh nothing. Just reminiscing about times spent, friends made and lost.” She sighed and continued, “When I get back to the home base I must try and find them again and at least email them if nothing else.”
“When Sandra suggested asking you to join us, I have to admit,” said Abs, “I did almost laugh, but I remembered what Sandra had been like when you first joined the school.” Abs paused for a moment to collect her thoughts and continued, “But now I see that asking you to join us was one a great idea. I think I can speak for at least everyone here, we had been looking to break into the professional world of Ghosts and Elite special forces types of Mercenary work. We had a basic idea that you needed to be a full Street Ghost and we knew we could get sponsored by Darla or any of the staff at command. That was about the sum total of our ghost environment knowledge, we knew about the net sites and other stuff, but we had no idea how to even start to organise a job from the start to the end.”
“Yeah we had planned combat operations from the Tactical level. We never really thought about how much work goes into a operation from the strategic level, we never needed to. I think over the last couple of weeks I know I’ve learnt a lot especially all the other things you must consider when planning an operation from the Stragetic level. I think we all realised after that Ulleam that we seriously lacked in the research skills and knowing where to look and where to put Net questions,” Tina continued. “And to be honest, I personally think you make a great looking female ghost, if I hadn’t been dating Abs I would defiantly go for you, Nibs.”
“Thanks Tina. Where’s Daraus?” she asked.
After a quick look around with their heads and eyes Sandra spotted Daraus just behind her legs, “Behind your legs hun,” she said.
“Oh, there you are. Come here,” she said in a comforting tone. Daraus padded and jumped over her legs and curled up in front of Nibs’ stomach.
“I think you have made a new friend Nibs,” said Sandra.
After the commotion of trying to find Daraus Tina continued, “And then to find that you not only understood the world of the ghost but also respected it enough to actually understand that to survive in it you must be skilled in many of the areas we already understood. Was too good to be true.”
“I agree with Tina hun,” said Sandra as Abs moved one of the logs and placed a second on it so the embers would heat and dry it, “you are one good looking girl with the skills and attitude to boot.
“From the first day I saw you in school, I fell in love with you Nibs, but as I said not with the male version of you, but from your stories, you had a great life and lots of fun at times, but the female side of you. I didn’t realise at the time that your family were travelling contractors for Ebbsu. That I only found out later. Both Tina and Abs will tell you, they had to sometimes almost physically hold me back because I wanted to go and protect you from the bullying. But due to the rules gangs have to abide by when attending the school, meant I wasn’t able to.”
“As I said a last week hun, what you did was all you could do,” she replied, “I think it’s a stupid rule.”
“Is it, but central says it saves the schools from being raised to the ground by the different gangs protecting non-gang members just ‘cause they like them or attacking other gangs, ‘cause they are protecting someone the first gang hates.”
“Yeah ok,” she said as she filled her mess tin and dropped in some leaves she had collected earlier. She then placed it between a couple of small rocks and dragged some of the embers so they were under the mess tin heating it.
“On a couple of occasions I had to stop myself from lumping a few of the bullies for the shit they put you through. I had been able to lump Gary a few times, but as members of the Gangrels and also the Bitch Vixens we needed to keep a low profile, as we specifically ain’t exactly liked by The Aces. Do you know something, next Gangrel gathering I do think someone should bring up the issue of The Aces and what the fuck are we going to do about them?” said Abs.
“I think Gary is already to leave them after the final match,” said Tina as she took out a bag of massaimmer smiling.
“Does anyone know how he intends to leave the Aces?” asked Paul. He saw the bag and also smiled.
“No I don’t think he’s made any plans yet. I think he wants to get through the play-off games and actually get to the final first,” replied Tina as she opened it and took the spit and stuck a few on it and held it over the heat and small flames that was licking around the propped log.
“That will be interesting, we are planning on supporting the team if they do get to the final as I know the match will be played at The Suraban Dome?” Nibs asked.
“Oh definitely,” said Abs, Tina and Sandra.
“Does anyone know when the next Gangrel gathering will be?” asked Tina, “it’s been a while since the entire gang meet up.”
“I think Sarah’s organising a gathering mid-Auar I think on 19th or 20th Auar,” replied Sandra.
“I hope so because it would be a good time for the problems some of the North Stevran units have been having with the local gang population, wasn’t aired and chatted about at the last council meeting. Which come to think about it was over six months ago.”
“What we didn’t get told about the last council meeting?” asked Tina.
“What last meeting, the last one we got told about was six months ago,” said Sandra, “cause you know if I know of a council meeting I always try and go.”
“You remember when we got your bike Nibs,” said Tina as she took the spit off the fire and took a bite from the end massaimmer. She then offered the spit to Abs who took the next one and took the spit and offered Paul the last one. He took it and then held it so Tina could put three more on. He then held it over the fire.
“Yeah, Sarah was at the club Tybias took us to, she had just been in a meeting with a local gang boss, about the Gangrels supporting his gang in its problems with the other local gangs.”
“Yeah, She had the council’s approval to open the armoury to the gang and to subsidise the four units the gang had employed in support,” said Tina.
“That weren’t on the agenda of the last meeting I went to or knew about,” said Sandra.
“That’s not like Sarah to not email A-rated unit commanders about council meetings,” said Abs when she had emptied her mouth. “Thank you hun, that has nicely capped the day.”
“Yes it has and very true, this does need to be brought up very soon,” Sandra said.
“What’s this about units from the north of the Stevran having problems?” Nibs asked.
“Yeah, you should know this as it could mean a few Gangrel led war zones. Some of the gangs from the North Side have been putting the beats on some of the Gangrel units that operate in the area. Most have with drawn south of the river. A few roads away is another Gangrel unit, the Matterhorns, a close assault team,” continued Abs.
After a few more hours of chatting about gangs, issues some gangs have with others, and the Gangrels and how they fit in to the Suraban gang scene. The group then bedded down into their sleeping bags and chatted whilst watching the fire as it slowly burnt through the wood.
As everyone was slowly drifting off to sleep Nibs suggested, “If you wake check the fire, give it a stir and it feed more wood.”
“Ok,” came everyone’s reply.

*****

Chapter 20 — Last Day at the Retreat

In the morning, Abs was the first to wake and she stirred the fire to life again. She then stuck some water on for a hot drink. She wandered over to the two hung kills she could see the one she had butchered was smoke/air drying nicely and the other had finished dripping blood from the drip. She then headed to the spring to fill the water bottles. Daraus, who looked like he hadn’t moved the entire night, stretched and looked over at her. He got to his four legs and followed her down to the stream sticking his nose into the water. He lapped up a good drink of the fresh cold water. She filled the water bottles and then the pair walked back to the campsite. Nibs and Sandra where both stirring and when she had walked into the campsite Nibs stretched and yawned herself awake.
“Looks like we have all made a friend,” said Nibs looking at her and Daraus.
“So what’s the plan then for the day?” asked Paul as he opened his eyes.
“Not got one other than we had better get back as tomorrow is the start of the festival setup I would like to get to that is nothing else after a good nights sleep in a proper bed,” said Sandra.
Tina then opened her eyes and said, “What is the time?”
“About 06:00 I think,” Abs replied. She turned and picked up one of the mess tins so she could pour a bit of the collected fat into it. She then placed the mess tin in the same location as Nibs had used the previous evening to heat up the last tea. Using the hunting knife they all had taken as a part of the basic survival equipment she cut eight strips of meat from the butchered carcass and started to fry them. As the mess tin would only allow her to fry two pieces at a time Paul and Tina got the first two pieces, after they were thoroughly cooked. Nibs went about boiling up some Yalliammium tea from the few patches of Yalliammium she had found near the stream. Around 08:00BN the group broke camp by covering the fire pit and also moving the logs and placing them in the undergrowth. As the group left Nibs position locked the site so if they wanted to they could return to it easily. As they headed back towards the house they sometimes hunted, sometimes not. The route Nibs led then on made sure they picked up Sandra’s kill and then headed back for the house.
At about 03:00AN they arrived back at the house and all five had a kill to their name. Daraus loved the return, bounding around, helping in the hunting when he was able to.

“First job when we get back is to somehow preserve the meat,” Sandra said as the group neared the house.
“Yeah that’s true,” responded Nibs. “We had better butcher the meat before we leave and pry we can find a freezer big enough to take all the meat. I think the butchering should be done out front of the house. It will save on the mess.”
“Agreed, I’ll give you some help with it,” said Tina, and was followed by both Sandra and Abs agreeing to help, as it would get it done quicker. Some of the work could be left for tomorrow.
As they approached the front of the house, the front door opened and Bee came running out of it and was closely followed by Angelique.
“What the hell is going on?” Sandra said to Nibs.
“Yeah what?” responded Nibs and Paul
“Hello guys,” Bee said as she ran past the group.
“Good hunt I seeeeee…,” Angelique said as she started to run after regaining her foot fall balance after tripping off the last step and almost landing on all fours.

The group dropped the four kills and the rest of the butchered meat at the foot of the stairs up to the front door. As they started up the steps Angel and Damieel came out of the door and the leapt over the railings evil glints and smiles playing in their faces. The started after Bee and Angelique
As all five walked in to the main house they saw Darla and Misty where sat legs intertwined and hand in hand. Grezt and Rachel where out on the veranda.
“Very strange,” Nibs quietly said to no one.
Daraus bounded over to where Misty and Darla were sitting.
Misty lifted her head and stared at Daraus as he bounded over to give then both a sloppy kisss. She said after spluttering and wiping her mouth., “Hi hunters. You’ve returned without any kills and this is new?” questionably looking at them.
“No five kills, we left them outside to save contamination of the house. Yeah meet Daraus we found in the forest close to where we camped last night.”
“Any idea what sort of cub? And it’s not a good idea to take wild animals from the natural environment.” Misty asked as she got up off Darla, who also got up and walked over to Sandra.
“Let’s just say it adopted us,” she replied and then said after giving him a tap on the nose with her first finger. “Have him for a while whilst I and the rest of us go and get cleaned and butcher the kills.”
“Right, thanks Sandra, I’ll try and find what sort of cub it is. I would say it’s some form of wolf cub, but we have three different wolves in the mountains and forests,” said Darla as she walked towards the book shelves.
“If anyone wants to feed him they can, it does have some teeth so we’ve been feeding him very finely cutup raw meat from the kills.”
“Where are you going to butcher them?” asked Misty.
“Outside I think would be better,” Nibs replied.
“Excellent, you want any help?” asked Misty.
“Yeah, more hands the better as we are planning on helping to setup a festival from tomorrow. Oh yes, you guys are invited to join us if you wish,” said Tina, “It’s the festival my mum and dad helped at so I’m going to help and maybe catch up with friends and things.” She followed Nibs and Sandra down the ramp to the Armoury.

*****

After about twenty minutes all five hunters appeared from the armoury in the bath robes they had worn yesterday morning. They all disappeared up to the bedrooms to put some more appropriate clothes on, they then all came and sat down for a smoke and a bit of relaxing before they started butchering and skinning the kills. After Sandra had finished the Cambar cigarette she had rolled she headed for the kitchen and checked the coffee machine was on. “Coffee guys?” Sandra asked.
“Chai please, thanks hun,” answered Nibs.
“Yeah thanks Sandra,” both Abs and Tina replied.
“You didn’t have a choice babe, that’s what I am doing; if you want something else you do it.!!” Sandra spiritedly said with a smile on her face.
Nibs got up and headed for the kitchen and smiled as she passed Sandra. She placed her hand on her buttocks and gave them a squeeze at the same time.
“Oh, mm,” she responded and turned to see Nibs wink at her.
“I’ll think about it hun.”

Nibs looked playfully down, as she knew Sandra was playing, but Nibs wanted to get the yes out of her.
“It ain’t going to work hun,” said Sandra with a smile.
“Ok then,” she responded, and continued to prepare a cup of Chai for herself.
“You two are two real lovers ain’t you,” said Darla when Nibs and Sandra returned carrying the coffee’s. Darla sat back down still holding Daraus and carrying a book.
“Daraus come here,” she said. Daraus jumped down from Darla’s lap and took two bounding jumps and landed in her arms.
“Right, what I can tell you it has an Albino wolf’s eyes and the Timber wolf’s cub fur. That’s about as far as I can tell you.”
“Mm, interesting,” Nibs said. “Well anyway, when I’ve finished this I’m going to get the butchering and cleaning process started.”
“Yeah true, especially with the festival setup starting tomorrow,” said Darla. “One bonus the vans are ready to go, they all now have camping gear and general outdoor supplies loaded, all that’s got to go on is our specialist gear, armour and weapons.”
“That’s an easy job for tomorrow morning,” said Abs.

Upon finishing her chai, she got up and disappeared in to the Armoury. She headed for a small section near the farthest corner, she had seen what looked like some general survival equipment and included was a butchering and skinning kit. She grabbed a complete kit and also a couple of sharp knives. She then went to where she had put her kit and took her machete and started back up the ramp. When she walked out she smiled at everyone and turned towards the front door. She walked up the stair and through it. When she had reached the ground she headed for the garage and found one of the largest tarps, she laid it on the ground in front of the house. She took Sandra’s kill laid it on the trap. she swung the machete and removed the head, this was quickly followed by her removing the hoofs of the Ulit. She placed the machete on the ground and took the larger of the two knives dragging it down the centre of the chest and stomach wall. The blade easily sliced through the skin and muscle. Very quickly she had a cut running from the base of the neck to the animals penis.
She looked up and saw Sandra had appeared on the veranda and was stood watching her work. She then stopped and walked into the garage and took a large bucket and a pair of gloves. She walked back and slip her hand in and pulled the guts, lungs and heart out and dropped them in to the bucket. She reached in for a second time and pulled the blood vessels from the neck and limb muscles. The last yank pulled the colon and the bladder tube away.
She then looked up and saw Abs and Darla were stood waiting for the carcus so they could start skinning it.

*****

Abs and Darla walked out and headed down the stairs, whilst Darla waited for Nibs to finish processing the first animal Abs walked into the garage and collected a second and third tarp and laid one of them on the ground for Darla and a second for a third set of people to work on.
After laying out the third tarp she went back to help Darla and as Nibs passed the now gutted animal to them she remembered, ‘The hide from yesterdays dinner.’ She headed back into the house and down to the Armoury, where they had put their stuff. She took out the skin she had skinned from yesterdays dinner and headed back to the front of the house with it.
She walked past Darla and Misty as they removed the skin from the second animal. She walked into the garage and took five pegs and a length of cord. She came out and she forced the five pegs in and attached the skin to four of the pegs by its four limbs and to the fifth by its neck. She then walked back into the garage and collected a set of over trousers and slipped them over her trousers. As she was about to walk out she saw Tina and Sandra standing outside waiting for her.
“You two here to help or watch?” she asked as she walked out of the garage.
“Help if you can use us,” replied Sandra.
“Yeah I can, follow me and,” she looked at the pair and continued, “you may want to put on some over trousers, because scrapping the fat from the inside of the skin is not pleasant and is rather smelly.”
“Ok,” said the pair and they heading into the garage.
Abs walked to where the bag was and took out two fat scrapers out, she ran her thumb across the edge and felt what she wanted to feel, a very sharp blade. She looked down the edge and saw that it was incredibly fine, and the edge on both sides was polished. She turned and saw both the girls standing waiting each wearing a pair of over trousers. She walked towards them and said, “What we are going to do is scrape the last of the muscles and fat from the inside of the skin.”
She knelt down and placed the scraper at a very shallow angle and took a film of muscle and fat from the skin. “This will take a while as no fat or muscle can remain as it will start to decompose and will stink to high heaven.”
As the three walked towards where Abs had pegged out the first skin Sandra asked, “What are the uses for the skins?”
“Uses are many,” replied Nibs as she walked over after finishing the gutting process on all four carcases. “Skins on some drums are made from animal skins. Some cultures use skins for clothing, ceremonial situations. The uses a skin can be put too are numerous.”
Abs looked at where Nibs had been working and saw Paul was in the process of gutting the last animal.
“I came over to suggest that we,” Nibs indicated the pair of them, “We should look at butchering the carcausses.”
“That would be a good idea. How about a large fire to celebrate a very successful week I think,” she said as she walked with Nibs to the last tarp.
Bee, Rachel, Angelique, Angel and Damieel returned after they had finished what ever had been happening. Abs stopped and turned to the five and said, “We are going to light a fire and therefore we need wood lots of it.”
“Ok,” replied Bee and Angelique and they both now had smiles on their faces. The five just disappeared into the forest surrounding the house.
After the five had gone Abs turned and drew her hunting knife. She picked up one of the animals and ringed the hind quarters with the tip. She then placed the hand carrying the knife against the side and with the left hand she gripped the leg near the hip area. She then pulled the leg away from the body. She then finished the cut and then using a considerably more pressure she sliced through the muscle and tendons she quickly reached the joint and here she pulled it away.
“Shall I,” said Paul from above her.
She looked up and saw Paul stood there carrying the machete. “Yeah thanks,” she said and removed her hand.
Paul bent down and after placing the edge of the blade where he wanted the cut to go. He swung up and brought the blade down hard against the joint, which came apart fully when Paul turned the blade so widening the gap. “I think Nibs prefers her method, but the machete works at going through joints so well why not use it.”
“For this work, Paul the smaller boning knife is a butcher’s preferred weapon, with a razor sharp knife I can strip the meat away and then keep the joint intact rather than possibly shattered. The very action of a swing bring inheritant possible errors in. Paul didn’t you notice I switched blades when I came to actually opening the guts up.”

Paul walked over to where Nibs was butchering a carcaus. Nibs had moved from the hind quarters to the fore leg area, where she made an initial deep cut and drew it around the top of the shoulder and back to the opposite side. She then pulled the limb away and finished the cut. She then stroked the blade through a second time and was at the joint and a quick work of the blade around the joint it came away.
“You use the heavy blades when you want ribs or that style of meat made up.”
“Oh,” he replied as he realized that the variety of knives an old fashioned butcher had had was for different jobs in the preparation of meat.
After a short while of watching Nibs and Abs butcher the animals, he saw the five girls collecting wood had gathered quite a pile and he walked to where it was and gathered up an arm full of twigs and small branches. He made a pile and using his boot knife he made short cuts that caused a small bit of the branch to roll away, a short while later he had five and using his lighter he lit them. He used the smallest twigs to make sure the kindling stayed lit and when these were burning well he used the slightly bigger twigs and progressively larger branches until the fire was well lit and was hot enough to dry out some of the other logs.

While the fire was getting started Abs was watching Paul with Nibs. She said, “I never realized how good it feels to actually be teaching the skills my dad taught me to other people, especially those willing and wanting to learn.”
Gretz walked towards the pair asking when she was close enough, you planning on continuing the scrapping at the festival?”
“Yeah, we’ll have to due to the possibility of decomposition and the smell attracting scavengers and carrion eaters.”
“You thought about how you are going to go about it?”
“No, other than use the same system of laying it out and scrapping it that way,” she replied after spending a couple of seconds thinking about it.
“Why not use the side of the vans. All you are going to need is a sturdy frame and you can tie the skin to it and scrap that way.”
“That is a good idea Gretz,” she replied as Nibs walked to where Sandra had stood up.

Nibs turned around and saw Abs and Gretz both heading for the garage to build the rig they would need when at the fair. She moved behind her and grabbed her around the waist and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Sandra turned and kissed her back. She then pulled away and headed into the house with Tina to get cleaned up.
She followed her so she could start the dinner.

*****

Around 07:00AN most of the friends were outside, only Nibs and Sandra were inside but the windows of the kitchen area were open and the limited music selection from her Digital Player could be heard playing from the windows.
Then they heard the sound an approaching motorbike, she wondered, ‘who could that be?’
Her question was soon answered when Gary appeared around the last bend and slowed. He parked up with the other bikes and the three vans, saying. “Sorry guys for not telling you I was coming back this evening, the coach has dropped me from the team for the next game only, he wants me back for the final, especially after last nights performance, 13 of our 25 points from my ball handling skills.”
“Sweet, Gary,” she called from the kitchen, “I’ll be out in a minute.” A short time later Sandra and her appeared from the front door carrying a large roasting tray with a good sized portion of meat on, she took it to the fire then covered it with a large metal lid. She placed it on the hot embers at the side of the fire and using a stick she scrapped some of the embers so they were surrounding the tray. Sandra appeared carrying a spade which she took and picked up more and dropped them onto the top of the roasting tray and lid. She used the spade and pushed it closer to the centre of the fire so it would stay hot and continue to cook the joint.
Darla disappeared into the house and quickly returned with a traditional coffee making jug which she placed at the edge of the fire on one of the hot stones.
“Tell us the low down about that’s happening at school?” asked Tina.
“Ok, I will, give me a chance to chill that’s a hard ride.”
“Ok,” responded Tina.

After Gary had had a drink and a smoke he continued, “Yeah, The Aces want pay-back big time, rumours have it that Zoe and Amy are planning something for both you and Abs, Sandra. And Simoine wants his shades back, Nibs.”
“He can have them if he can take them from me,” responded Nibs.
“I thought that would be your answer to that.”
All of the Vixens laughed at the comment. Misty then said, “When you guys go head to head, invite us as this bunch sound like the need a good street kicking.”
“They do
“Yeah, bring it on Aces, We’ve kicked them a few times in a war zones, lets do it close and personal,” said Darla smiling from what he could see.
“From what I’ve heard, Simon is laughing at the complaints, saying they brought the pain on themselves for being bullies, and that people who bully sometimes get their comeuppance. But he will make sure any thing the Aces plan is as above board as he can make sure it is.”
“That’s good to hear,” said Abs.
“You know we are all planning on coming to the big game itself,” said Paul.
“No, I was hopping you would do that,” he replied smiling at the fact that when the last game was over he could tell Detrict what he thought of him, which was pleasant. He smiled as he thought of what he knew Detrict would want to do to him and if it came down to a fight that the twat wouldn’t stand a chance against him. ‘You’ve never met Gangrel Street up close and personal before have you Detrict, oh this is going to be so much fun.’
“Let Simon know that if the Aces want to come get a piece of us then all they have to do is ask formally and nicely,” said Sandra.
“Yeah and we will be happy to accommodate them,” both Paul and Nibs said.
The rest of the evening was spent sitting around the fire enjoying each other’s company.

Chapter 21 — Welcome to the Festival Scene

On Moroth morning Darla woke along with all the friends at about 06:00BN, and soon joined in the hustle and bustle of people getting dressed, having drinks, and just generally making sure the house was ready to be left again maybe, for quite a while.
The twins spread the dust sheets over the furniture whilst the rest of the group was making sure that the house was clean and tidy.
Around 08:00BN eight everyone bar Gary, Bee, Rachel and Daraus, whom had already left in the vans, gathered and had a last smoke before departing for the Festival. Darla was the last person to walk out, she turned and closed the door, she then pressed her thumb on the scanner which released the swipe card from the reader which she then removed and the system locked the door. She then smiled and walked down the steps and towards her bike. Everyone started their motor-bikes or motor-trikes and drove down the dirt track away from the house.

*****

All the bikes pulled into the garage located on the main road just north of the Forest Scope. After filling the tanks and paying for the fuel they all headed out heading for Suraban. As the group approached the junction for IC5 Nibs slowed and placed her helmet on her head and made sure the chin strap was tight, the rest of the group did the same and then they all turned onto IC5 and accelerated down the onramp. The group was soon passing the slower moving cars and vans.

*****

As the motor-bikes and motor-trikes approached the outskirts of Suraban they saw signs indicating that the IC1 Bridge over the Stevran was closed due to vital maintenance.
“Ok, which route then?” Nibs asked.
“IC3 then CW23 then CW8,” replied Gary.
“Where are you Gary?” asked Sandra as Sandra indicated to pull right and cross into the middle lane from the outside.
Misty was already in the middle lane and passed Sandra as she pulled in.
She closely followed Sandra and indicated again to pull into the inside lane.
“Just passing the truck stop now,” replied Gary
“Ok,” said Sandra. “Chat to you in a short while then.”
“Yeah chat to you in a bit,” responded Gary.
A short while later Darla who was at the head of the group, indicated right and pulled onto the slip road that would take them from IC5 to IC3. As Darla entered the corner and released the throttle the bike began to slow. Darla banked with the corner the bike slowed even more. As Darla passed the apex of the corner slipping towards the inside the bike accelerated out of the corner straightening up. As the left indicator flashed Darla pulled left onto the inside lane of IC3.
She was closely following Darla and just behind her was the rest of the group. As they joined the IC3 Darla pulled over and dropped back down the group to close to the rear.
As Darla pulled over she became the leaded and she accelerated to about 120mph and soon covered the 8.7 miles to the junction of the CW23. Just before the junction she pulled over into the nearside lane and when the junction started she moved over and lightly applied the front and rear brakes slowing the bike to 70mph. As she crossed the apex of the corner her speed was close to 50mph and she then opened up the throttle and began to straighten up. The interchange road from the opposite side of the IC joined and two more bikers joined the road heading in the same direction. She pulled over and slowed slightly and let the rest of the group pass her. Abs who was just behind her in the convoy took the lead as they joined the CW23. The group overtook a 4 trailer road train, two of the containers belonged to Rotork the other two were blank and had no logo or indication of who owned them.
Each side of the CW was walled and all that you could see over were the tops were trees. As CW23 crested a rise they got the first sight of West Hills District. At the same time they also caught their first glance of the Blue Ridge hills, which are a set of low hills but they had a distinctive blue ridge to then, due to the top of the hills being made from a blue quartz mineral. As the group sped into West Hills District they passed the first of many Upper class and Exec enclaves.
All they could see over the walls were lines of trees, but they knew from the tele programs that the houses hidden behind them belonged to some of the most powerful people in the city. These people had either made their money from working in the corporations or via less legal means. Even with the multi-million deck bank balances they had, some were still very active in corporate affairs. Most of them did very little actual work, most of their time was spent in private intrigue and espionage against other members of the enclaves rather than the corporate or governmental variety.
“The Toffs’ district,” said Abs over the communication system.
“Not exactly Abs, North and North Ridge Districts are Toff districts, not this area of West Hills, slightly upper class yes, but not Toffs.”
“Do I have this right? Does Richard C live in this district,” asked Abs as she saw the bike slow to allow a car pull into the middle lane to overtake a slower moving van.
“That’s what the Street Ghost rumour mill has it as,” she answered. “One very true ghost fact is that if you specialise in espionage or in similar lines of Street Ghost work, you make sure you have at least one apartment in the surrounding communities, more often a couple at least. All with fully equipped safe rooms with escape routes, planned, practiced and secure.” She continued as she joined the four person line that ran behind Abs. “I’ve heard some interesting stories on BlackNet about the stuff and happenings here in Intrigue City.”
“Intrigue City?” asked Paul his voice sounding as if he was very interested in knowing about the area.
“Yeah, it’s the name that the Street Ghost community has given this area and the sounding support communities,” she answered. “Most of the areas Street Ghosts have named are centres for work in the city. Combat Mall in the north Industrial Districts of North Cove, Western Beeches, North Hills, and South Docks. It’s ten square blocks of combat and battle related equipment stores, R&D centres, Battle Training grounds, and the only way to get into the Newbran Combat district, 21 square miles of free fire zone. There are stories of entire Ghost teams disappearing in the Newbran Combat district.”
“Jesium,” said Paul sounding somewhat shocked.
“Oh and don’t use that word in there. It’s rumoured that the last person to do so was visited by a wraith who goes by the name of Jesium,” she replied
“You’ve got to be kidding Nibs,” said Abs.
“No she ain’t,” said Misty.

*****

When the group came off the CW8 they drove through the streets towards the large park they knew would be holding the festival. They saw some signs for car parking and followed one and entered the main car park bar the one linked to the Athletics stadium. The park itself was a large measuring easily 50 hectares. Criss-crossing it were foot paths and cycle-tracks, hedge rows and trees lined some of the paths. Small clumps of trees dotted the park along with small mounds and small ponds, these were ringed with plants that would conceal animal life. On the northern side was a large athletics stadium and associated car-parking. A skate-park and a couple of children’s play areas were also located in the park. The skate-board park was near a smaller car-park.
The group slowed and stopped near the railings. They all climbed off and she stretched after the ride. She walked with the rest of the group onto the actual park land where they all sat down to wait for the vans to arrive.
A little distance away they could see a small pile of things, it looked like someone was also pulling their hair out waiting for something to arrive.

Tina sat looking at the gent in the middle, her improved vision saw it was Tim, her brother and he looked like he was smoking something. When the vans arrived they parked up along side the motor-bikes and motor-trikes. Gary, Bee and Rachel climbed out along with Daraus who just jumped out and bounded over to where the group was sitting. He went to the small gap between Nibs and Sandra and sat down.
Abs and her got up and they walked to the van Gary had been driving. Abs slid the side door open allowing her into the van. She bent down and opened one of the under work top cupboards retrieving a couple of cookers and the tea and coffee making equipment.
Tina overheard Nibs say“That guy seriously needs to chill out. I swear he’s going to burst a blood vessel soon.”
“More than bloody likely, as I think he’s my older brother,” she said when she returned with the cookers, and drink making equipment. Abs carried a large water carrier and the container of mugs. When the pair had sat down Abs filled the two kettles and a few seconds later they were on the cookers being heated.
A low loader pulled into the main car-park and was followed by a second one and then the nose of a third appeared in the entrance way. Each was stacked with fencing panels and the feet needed to stand them up.
Tim picked up his bike and cycled over to the gate into the main park, where he unlocked the gate and gave the driver of the lead lorry a sheet of paper with what looked like a plan drawn on it. The driver climbed down and was joined by the other drivers and a mate who climbed down from the cab or the third truck.
When Tim had finished dealing with the driver, she could see the relief on her brother’s face. She called to him using her old male voice, “Hey mate, come chill with us for a bit, the lorry drivers know what they are doing, so leave them to it.”
Tim turned and thought for a second and walked with his bike over to the group. As Tim approached she confirmed her earlier suspessions about him smoking as between his fingers was Cambar mix between his fingers. “Hi, my name is Tim Griffiths.”
“Do you want to try something a little stronger,” said Rachel and passed him one of her Cambar mixes she smoked. She knew Rachel only ever put a few strands on tobacco in hers.
“Thanks,” said Tim and sat down in a gap the both Rachel and Grezt had made in the circle. “Ah, I see you have tea and coffee making facilities?”
“Yes we do, would you like a drink?” she inquired.
“Yes I would thanks.”
“Oops our manners. Sorry,” she said again using her male voice rather than her normal female one. “Allow me to introduce Paul, Abs, Nibs, Sandra, Misty, Bee, Rachel, Angelique, Grezt, Gary, Darla, the twins Angel and Damieel and lastly Daraus. Oh and myself Tina.”
She could see his face was one of ‘I know that voice’. Tim opened his mouth as if to say something then he stopped and thought for a second and asked, “That’s the voice of my missing brother. How the hell can you know that and mimic it?”
“Thanks bro,” she said looking rather annoyed at his comments. “Look at me,” she continued, “your eyes don’t deceive you, it is me, John. You have a good memory for what my voice sounded like.”
“Are you surprised the week before you left the rows you and mum had. What the feck?”
“I’ve been living full time as Tina since I moved out.”
Tim just stared at her. Then after a couple of seconds he said, “Ok, we will have to catch up,” then he asked, “What have you got to drink?”
“Chai, tea, coffee, cannabis tea,” said Nibs, as Tim took a draw, then coughed and spluttered a couple of times.
Everyone present smiled at his reaction.
“Cannabis tea please,” replied Tim.
“No problem,” said Misty as she dropped a scoop of normal tea and a scoop of ground cannabis into a small teapot and added hot water. After a few minutes the brew was readied and poured into a cup. Misty then passed Tim the cup who took it, raised it to everyone and took a sip.
“Strange taste, but nice,” said Tim after tasting it.
“I know festivals and I also know that the person to ask about helping out over one is either the site manager or someone connected with the committee,” she said looking rather inquiringly at Tim. “And I’m guessing that you are the site manager?”
“Yes I am, and what can you offer the festival?” asked Tim looking at each member of the group as if he was studying them.
“Fourteen fit people, globally linked by a communication system that can be patched into nearly all networks, security for the nights, stewards and general help people. All we ask is for a small area to reside whilst the festival is happening?” she asked. “We would commute to the site but we live in South Central district.”
“What type of security could you offer?” asked Tim.
“We’re all Street Ghosts,” replied Misty.
“That changes a few things then,” said Tim with a smile. “No problem at all, can’t see why not as we do need a trained security to patrol the site over the weekend. I’ll confirm it with the chair, but I can’t see any problems, you have all got Street Ghost ids? As one of our number was a Street Ghost once and is still listed as inactive.”
“Yeah we do,” said Paul.
At this Tim got up and passed the Cambar cigarette, after taking a second take, to Grezt who passed it back to Rachel. Tim walked to where his stuff was, collected it together and walked back to where the group was sitting.
Upon Tim’s return with his stuff, Gary said, “Well anyway, enough with the chilling, shall we secure the site.” Gary stood up and dropped his jacket where he had been sitting as the sun had appeared and the clouds were beginning to dissipate.
“True,” said Tim in response to Gary’s suggestion. “First job is to secure the crew and site office areas and they are both around us now.”
“What is the situation with the car-parks?” asked Misty as she also joined Gary in standing. The rest of the group also stood up and dropped the jackets they had been wearing.
“We control both car parks and we always close them to the general public as it gets hectic as hell over the weekend. The District Council opens up the Athletics stadium car park, and operates a minibus service from there to here for the disabled and infirm, et cetera. The plan is to keep all vehicles that will be here the whole weekend in the small car park and only use the main for deliveries and as a trader entrance, other than crew-related vehicles.”
“Good as we will be needing access to the vans and bikes, as the vans are our mobile command centre and if we need to get places we need the bikes,” said Nibs as she got up and was joined by Sandra. They both dropped their jackets on the ground and covered Daraus, who then wriggled out from under the jackets.
She saw a small red van had pulled into the main car-park and driven towards the open gate. It drove onto the park and headed for where the group were standing around. She saw and recognized the driver as Celia and to her Celia’s face was one a great happiness. Sat in the passenger’s seat was a small girl, who Tina recognize but she remembered the young girl as a baby cum toddler.
The friends walked to where the first stack of fencing was and Paul dragged the first piece of Herris off the pile and along with Gary they carried it back to the crew area and laid it on the ground.

Nibs and Sandra walked to where Tim was chatting with the new arrival. Nibs asked, “You got a plan of the site saying where the fencing goes?”
“Yeah I have,” replied Tim, “Celia, meet Nibs and Sandra, I think?”
“Yes, hello Celia, the plan please,” said Sandra.
Tim walked to where he had dropped his stuff and took out one of the plans. He then handed it to her and said, “Give the crew area enough room to house your tents and the vans.”
“Ok, we’ll leave the vans on the car-park side rather than bring then onto the field.”
“Right so how are you going to do this then?” asked Tim.
“Park the vans end to end with the blue one on the end,” she said.
“Why the blue one on the end?” asked Tim as he walked towards the fencing pile and saw six pairs working on carrying fence panels from the nearest piles to the crew and site office areas.
“The blue one is the main command centre and has been outfitted with a ISW mount in the door. Its been equipped with a belt feed to 10,000 rounds of APEX ammunition,” replied Sandra. “We of the Gangrels have a saying prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.”
“Weeouch!” exclaimed Tim. “What’s the ISW?”
“A MA70ISW,” she said.
“MA70!” exclaimed Tim, and stared at the pair. “That’s a military grade weapon.”
“We know,” said Sandra.
“Darla’s mum and dad had an armoury stocked with military weapons and equipment from a place known as the Academy. Which on the BlackNet Forum message boards is an R&D centre for the Street Ghosts,” she said as both her and Sandra looked at the plans and worked out floor area for the eight tents and area around them.
“I take it you know what the hell you are doing then?”
“Yes, nearly all Gangrels undergo thirteen weeks basic training at Command in South Docks. During our time there we are taught to be safe and sensible around all weapons from simple knifes to the HSWs that are seen on the back of some pick-ups,” said Sandra as she carried a couple of feet to the gate and dropped one there. Sandra then started to walk down the hedge and a short distance later she dropped the second one. Sandra then returned to the pile of feet and took two more. As Tim and her grabbed a couple of feet each, they followed Sandra who continued, “Even through mine and Paul’s mum and dad were already members and had done basic training, we both completed it with a training cadre. Nibs hasn’t but she has considerable knowledge of the Street Ghost scene.”
“How much do you know of the Street Ghost scene Tim?” She looked at the plan and dropped a second one as a marker of a junction off the outer fencing.
“Hang on, wouldn’t it be easier to have the vans inside and a route out to the main area,” suggested Tim, “and a little bit. John was a Street Ghost once. That was until he had an accident which has messed up his leg. When you meet him you’ll understand I think.”
“Did you know that only a Full Street Ghost can sponsor people to become Street Ghosts?”
“Yes I did know that, why?”
“I sponsored all the Vixens, I’ve been classified as a Full Street Ghost for the last six months. And I spent almost eighteen months learning the scene from a member when I lived in Ne-U-Bar.” She looked at the vans and the new idea and the hedge, ‘The hedge is going to make it kind of annoying to get into the vans.’ “I agree with you Tim. Hun lets move them so they are inside the perimeter.”
Sandra stopped and dropped the two feet she was carrying and asked, “Same order of vans though?”
“Yes,” she replied and started towards the red van. Sandra soon caught her up. “I think we need to paint them though.”
“Yeah we do,” replied Sandra. Sandra then opened the driver’s side door of the white van.
She opened the red van’s door and found the keys still in the ignition. She smiled and climbed in, she turned the keys and the engine started. She closed the door and selected reverse so she could slowly back it out and right so the nose was pointing at the gate. Tim walked to the gate and opened it as she selected first and slowly accelerated. As she passed the white van Sandra reversed out and followed her. She turned onto the field and took a wide circle round and parked up along side the hedge row where it joined the one that completely ringed the park. Beyond which was a sharp mound that was a deteritant to those who liked to ruin places, with vehicles. She reversed it so the back had enough room to open, but not much more. Gary had jumped into the blue van and had driven that one onto the park. After Sandra had parked with a similar amount of room behind hers. Gary positioned the blue van at the front.
As she locking the driver’s side door and taking the keys from the ignition she saw Paul carrying two feet walk down past the drivers side. Looking in the rear view mirror she saw him drop one foot at corner made by the hedge row surrounding the car-park and the one that completely ringed the main park. Paul called to the three drivers, “Any chance you can move forward a couple of feet as we need to drop a the fence panel behind here and along the hedge row on the road.”
Each van then moved forward by a couple of feet with Gary moving first then Sandra and lastly she moved her van. Abs and Tina slotted the first fence panel in place whilst Gretz and Bee carried the second one down beside the vans. Nibs moved over and got out of the main sliding door.
Gary joined Paul in carrying feet and clips whilst the rest of the groups carried fence panels.
A tall guy, with grey wirely hair arrived and asked, “Do you want me to do anything?” On his back was a acoustic gui-dram.
As Sandra and her walked towards the now considerably reduced pile, Tim turned to face him. They took the next panel and her improved hearing heard Tim and Celia talking around the initial base, “No, these guys have volunteered to help set up, steward, provide security and break the festival and all they ask for is a small area for them to stay.” She went back to concentrating on what Sandra was doing with the other end of the fence panel.

*****

After a few hours of fence panel shifting and erecting, the crew area, Site Office and main Stewards area were totally secured. In front of the crew area was the back stage area for Stage 1 and beside the stage was the first of the two beer tents that operated on site. As Sandra and her walked in from putting up the last panel to secure the Generator for Stage 1, the Beer Tent, Crew area and Site and Steward Office they watched Darla and Misty playing house, so to speak. They were using the red van as it was designed to do used as an area to live from. In two piles outside the kitchen area, which had been tarped off so people walking by on the street couldn’t look in were the tents and everyone’s personal kit. The side door of the blue van was open and both the stations were ready and powered up by the internal power, the aerial was also up and transmitting.
Celia was erecting a couple of small tents into which she guessed a lot of the things around them were going. A short distance away was the fire pit, Gretz had constructed whist the five had been hunting. In it was a small fire that was heating a old fashioned kettle, which was hanging from a hook that was fixed to four poles that came from the corners. The kettle was close to boiling at this point. Misty walked out from the kitchen area smiling at the pair was they walked in. Sat around the fire already was Angel, Damieel, and Paul. Gary was coming out of the white van. Abs was stood with Celia helping her unload her van and erect the tents and gazzibos.

Tina arrived into the crew area from the toilets over the other side of the car-park and said, “I had forgotten how much fun it was being at the festival during set up.”
Three young ones and Daraus ran past and into the crew area.
Tim walked up and said, “It’s cleared you guys can stay, Celia has no problem and the chair said, it helps in keeping certain people from camping as crew.”
“That’s good to hear,” Tina said. “Who is the chair this year?”
“Do you remember Big Malla?”
“Yes.” Then as something dawned on her, she said, “She’s not?”
Tim nodded. “She’ll be here this afternoon.”
“It will be good to see her again.”
Both Sandra and her looked at Tina asking the same question, ‘who’s this?’
“Big Malla, is a large dark skinned woman from Chivvera. She use to look after the younger ones, my last year here was Willoo’s first. Celia had her nine months after one fair and the following one was my family’s good bye, we moved to South Harbour District, two months afterwards, we never made any more. Tim is four years older than me and three days after I moved out Tim moved back to the area and I guess volunteered again.”
“You said hi to Celia yet?” asked Tim to her
“Not yet, I’ve been kind of busy.” She turned and walked to where Celia had stood up.

Nibs, Sandra and Tim walked to the fire area and sat down. She looked beneath the fire pit registered that the grass had been removed. She looked around for it and found it had been placed under the white van. and saw the grass beneath and surrounding the dish had been removed. She looked around for the turfs and saw them under the white van. She lent in and said quietly to Sandra, “Good idea, we need to remember that when having an open fire.”
“Yeah,” replied Sandra as the pair sat down and Darla walked out carrying a tray with loads of cups on.

Tina walked towards where Abs had just turned around and gotten something from the open side door of the van. “Celia, hi, I’m not sure if you would remember me from seven years ago?”
“Tim said that some one we use to know was back. Welcome back.” Celia looked her up and down in an approving manner. “What name do you go by now?”
“Tina and let me introduce my partner Anna Detric, Abs to everyone.”
Celia looked at the pair and shook her head at the sight, “Those last couple of years before you moved I knew something was wrong, but I would never have guessed it was you being Trans.” Celia turned to face her and called, “Willoo, here now.”
The three youngsters that had been playing around the six man team working the right hand side of the trader gate ran over, Daraus trotting at Willoo’s heel.
“I want you to meet someone who has come back to the festival after seven years, so you see people do come back and she’s brought most of the guys in black as friends and helpers.”
Willoo looked at Tina and said, “Hellooo friend.”
“Whos pet?” asked Celia to Willoo.
“That’s Daraus, he’s one of the Vixens,” she said.
“Ok, what species is he? I would say from the colouring and amount of fur, he’s not pure bread dog.”
The group walked to where the teas were being sorted and sat down around the fire pit.
She felt someone tap her on the shoulder, she turned and saw Sandra was offering her a Cambar cigarette. She took it and removed her lighter from her pouch and lit the end.
Abs answered Celia’s question about what species Daraus was, “We aren’t sure. He has the eyes of an albino wolf, but the colour of a Timber Wolf cub. We found him in the Low Back Forest, no sight of it’s mother and he’s not been long of this world by his size.”
“That I would agree with, but albino eyes with Timber Wolf cub fur.” Celia paused for a bit and continued, “That’s not a combination I’ve heard of before, ask Melanine when she gets her which should be some time today, she’s an expert in things out of the ordinary.”
She saw the three younger one’s eyes light up at the mention of Melanine arriving. “That’s a name I’ve not heard before?” she asked Celia.
“No, she volunteered the following year to your last one. Her, her husband, Adam, Adrian and Cathy, have helped set up and she and her partner Griffit organize the Chill-Out Zone. Adrian has for the last couple of years looked after all the young ones during the set up, when the fair was open and site break.”
“You said husband Adam and then partner Griffit?” she asked her looking generally interested.
“Yes, Adam was one of six bystanders that were gunned down in a local pub when one of the local crime bosses took offence at something one of the people drinking had done. No one has every been arrested for it and I think the case is currently a cold case. The local Echo Tech Security have been regularly re-looking at the files, but still have not found anything new to tell them which group he had pissed off.”
“That’s not good,” said Abs as Darla passed her a cup of coffee.
“No,” said Celia and Misty passed a cup to her.
“Adrian is fun to be around,” said the female of the other two.
“That’s Dorris and the gent is Marick. Yeah. Adrian looks after the children whilst we are putting the festival together and then looks after them and helps in the kids area when the festival is open. He loves them with an unbridled passion. You must have had some adventures over the years and how is Dominic?”
She smiled when she remembered her younger brother Dominic. “To be honest I have no idea. I’ve not spoken to mum, dad or Dominic since I moved out, three years ago.”
“What!” exclaimed Celia looking very shocked and then her face went to one of not being very pleased with her. “You’ve not seen your mum in three years, how come?” The tone Celia used, Tina knew she was being told off, she deserved it. She knew that much.
“The last couple of weeks before I moved out, all me and mum use to do was row and argue over the stupidest of things, and to be honest I’ve not needed to. The Vixens and Gangrels have given me more of a family, I know mum never accepted me as Tina, so why force those who do not accept to accept.”
Celia sat there thinking about what she had said and said, “Yeah, your right, but it pains me that the situation exists in the first place.”
“At some point I will contact them, I know something will happen that I will need to.”
A horn sounded from the main car-park as a sat-rit style car pulled up. She looked over and saw a woman get out of the passenger’s seat and she immediately noticed her eyes were red, and she also had large bags under her eyes. She nudged Abs who was also looking at the woman.
Celia looked over and said, “Mel.” Then as Mel stepped over the bar Celia’s face went for being happy to see her to one of being very concerned at her state. “What the hell is up?” she asked as her friend came and sat beside her.
“Adrian and I had a massive row and he walked out, he’s not answering my calls, and a report from a friend he was seen leaving the Tran Youth Centre with a friend and couple of people known to be associated with Trivvoth.”

Across the fire pit both Nibs and Sandra looked very concerned at hearing what Mel was telling Celia.
“Adrian is a nice kid, that argument was serious to have him leave home and been seen with one of the problems this and the nearby districts have. Trivvioth is the boss of a relatively powerful organized crime family. He’s suppose to support one of the local gangs, I think it’s the Blue Diamonds and I can tell you they are not like by the locals at all,” said Tim looking very concerned at the news
She looked at him and asked, “Any ideas how come?”
“No, we try and stay out of it, but sometimes the problems of the local areas spills over onto the festival,” replied Tim and he then took a mouthful of coffee.
She looked at him and then felt Sandra tap her on the shoulder. She turned her head to look at Sandra, and she had a worried look in her eyes. The face she was pulling was, ‘I know, talk to you later’.
Daraus padded over and lay beside her right heel. She over heard Celia say to Mel, “Can you have a look at the pup beside. I’m sorry I’ve not been introduced?”
“Nibola Calton, everyone calls me Nibs, Sandra Patterson my partner and this is Daraus, a wolf of some kind, but that’s all we can work out.”
“A wolf, I would say you have a Timber Wolf pup from the colour of the fur,” said Mel
“Yes, I would agree but he also has the eyes of an Albino Wolf, blazing red,” said Darla.
“The Albino is always white from the start, not a light grey. Can I take a look?”
“Yeah,” she said smiling as Mel’s expression had lifted slightly.
Mel got up and walked around the fire to where Daraus was laying picking him up by the scruff of his neck. Mel then opened the right eye and looked at it. She could see how dark the eye was. Up-until this point she had really looked at Daraus’ eyes. She placed him back down and returned to her seat thinking. After she had sat down, she said, “I would say from the eyes and the colour of the fur around the eye socket you have something that I have only heard about from myths and legends.”
“What do you think he is then?” asked Darla as she sat beside Tim.
“An Angel Wolf.”
She noticed how Darla looked at Mel as if to say, ‘You must be kidding’.
“No I’m not. I’ve seen the eyes of Albino wolves and they are considerably brighter red than those. They I would say are a mauve more than a red which from the myths is the colour people say the eyes of the Angel wolves are. I’ll check when I get home, I’ve got to go to the local Security Station and give them a statement about Adrian’s disappearance. I’ll be back later this afternoon and Griffit will be here this evening.”
Sandra and her got up and was joined by Angel and Damieel as well as Paul and Gary.
When the group had exited the crew area Daraus bounded over and Gary said, “This could be serious.”
“I know,” she replied. As the group walked she knew her face was one of ‘I’m thinking fuck off’. They arrived at the pile of fencing, feet and connectors. She looked at the plan seeing that the fencing ran all the way along the hedgerow and had a gate and Emergency gate at the entrance way into the park. She also looked for the next pile of fence panels and saw them near the middle of the next stretch of hedge row. “Ok then, this pile from the Generator pen to as far as we can get them. The plan indicates and Emergency gate and people gate when the footpath comes through the hedge row.”
“Ok,” replied Paul as Gary and him picked up a pair of feet each heading towards the generator pen. Paul dropped one of his feet at roughly the right distance for a fence panel.
Angel slid the top panel off and dragged it to where it would join the fencing of the generator pen. She was closely followed by Damieel and then Sandra.
A young woman, no older than maybe 22 walked to where she was dragging a fence panel off the stack. She asked, “Hi I’m Leia. You need any help?”
“Yeah, grab some of the connectors and finger tighten then on the fence panels,” she requested
“No probs,” replied Leia as Tim walked over carrying a plan and a can of something.
“Any of you want to give me a hand marking out where the marquees and power lines are going?”
“Yeah I will,” replied Leia.
“Oh, hi Leia. I see you’ve met the new crew and very likely the security for this year’s festival.”
Leia looked at Tim when she had stood up. “What!”
She stopped and smiled at her, “So, we are security now?”
“Yeah, just had a quick chat with Darla and she says that’s what you guys do. You assist other gangs and providing security is one of the jobs you’ve been called to do.”
Gary walked back and took two more feet saying, “Yeah I know I have, I’m not sure about the Vixens but I only joined eight months ago.”
Tim nodded as she took the fence panel she was pulling to be the next panel in the chain. Sandra and her lifted it so it was vertical and Sandra dropped her end into the foot. She dragged the closest foot over and slid the fence panel into the hole on the foot. When that was done Sandra headed back for the pile and took the next panel. Angel carried the panel to where she was standing, waiting to drop the panel end nearest her into the second hole of the foot.
A new gent passed her and was carrying the bag of connectors and he started to join the fence panels together.

*****

After the group, of seven friends the six Vixens and a new guy to them, had finished three entire piles of panels they returned to the crew area. The new guy was called Reiner and had been helping at the festival for four years.
Back at the crew area where a few new faces, one was a large lady who very definitely came from the continent of Olliath. Tina, Abs, Gretz, Rachel and Angelique walked back in just behind her and her group. Tina made a bee line for the lady from Olliath and when she was close enough, the pair, after she saw the woman’s eyes open in shock they embraced as friends do.
Willoo started to jump up and down as a white Esszan type motor-car pulled up. She looked over and saw climb out of the driver’s seat a woman. Tim got up and called, “Celia, KaVon and John are here.”
“Excellent,” came Celia’s reply from the area of the crew area that was Celia’s zone. Tim walked to the gate and opened it. The car drove on and as it approached the entrance to the crew area Angelique opened the gate. It drove in and parked up beside a new motor-caravan and Celia’s Van. Out from the passenger door came a large stockily built gent.
Tim walked back into the area and said, “Hi John.”
“Hi man.” She looked at the way he walked and realised he was walking on crutches, when he travelled past the back of the car she looked at the legs. The right leg was fixed with a couple blue metal halos and rods that went into his leg and a set also held the halo’s apart.
She turned to see Tim sit back down asking, “Is he the inactive ghost?”
Tim nodded and smiled.
“I can see why he’s on the inactive list.”
John sat on one of the seats and took out of his pocket a tin, similar to the one she stored her Cambar in. “Celia, catch,” said John and then from the other pocket came a blue bag and it was then in the air heading for where Celia was standing. Celia caught it and walked to the fire to joined John and KaVon in sitting down. From the back of the Esszan came two young girls one around the age of Willoo and the other younger by a few years. From the same pocket as the tin, came a bag in which was a green material similar to the way Cambar looked.
She offered her half finished Cambar cigarette to John, who accepted it sticking it in his mouth and then lighting the tip. He took a draw and his face screwed up a bit as the pure Cambar smoke burnt his throat.
“What you got in here?” asked John as he passed it back.
“Pure, I take it you mix?”
“Yeah.”
As Celia looked like she was about to roll a Cambar mix she asked, “How much do I owe you John?”
“Forty, thanks.”
Celia took her purse from the right hand pouch of a pair of cloth pouches. From the purse came a twenty Deck note which got passed to John.
She heard Sandra quietly snort and she looked at her. Her face was one of being angry at something. Sandra then realised she was looking at her and smiled. Sandra got up and walked to where the tents had been dropped bending down to pick one up. Sandra then moved a short distance away empting the contents on the floor so she could start to put it up.
She then heard John’s voice say, “What are we doing about security especially with the situation on the streets at the moment?”
“Meet the security,” said Tim. “The Giths and the five new women.”
John looked at her and asked, “What level of training have you lot got?”
“We all hold full Street Ghost Licences and as Tim put it eight of the Giths have done Gangrel basic training and I spent 18months learning direct from the scene,” she replied.
“Without knowing what Gangrel basic training consists of. No worries. I pretty much run the security and the stewards here.”
She nodded as Darla handed her, her mug with a steaming drink in.
“Thanks Darla.”
Melanine and a second woman, she guessed was Griffit as they were walking hand in hand, entered the crew area and they both came and sat beside her. “From the books I have, I am confirming that Daraus is an Angel Wolf.”
She looked at her in shock. She had heard one myth about the white furred wolf, who’s eyes burned with a deep red. “If Daraus is, then why me and Sandra, their must be people who deserve him more than we do.”
“The one thing I know from the myths is that they select very carefully and they know if you and those around are of a good heart.”
Griffit looked around the fire at the various people and to her she looked really happy. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I over heard you and Celia talking earlier and something Tim said a while back. What has been going on in the local area?”
Melanine sat back and said, “The argument me and Adrian had was over me dating Griffit. I’m bi, but whilst Adrian’s dad was alive I held that side of me in check, he died a couple of years ago and I let go, I’ve been with Griffit for eleven months now and we are friends first and foremost, and sexual partners second.”
She noticed Melanine squeeze Griffit’s hand, the small movement of the hand squeezing most people missed, she had been trained to notice, and to understand how they would react in situations. To her mind as long as they knew the other was safe, then they would be strong and helpful.
“What is going on in the local area. Is that one of the local street gangs is running out of control, they are extorting money from businesses, saying if they don’t pay then the boys are going to visit. The boys are a mob of twenty local youths, high and looking to wreck someplace. I know a lot of the local traders have been complaining to the authorities about it. I have no idea what has happened since, I heard that a couple of weeks ago.”
“Ok,” she replied and looked at her partner trying to work out why the snort and face. After a couple of seconds she took out her PDU and powered it up, she checked the power bar, which was almost full. She connected it to the Net. She was going to two places, one was the BlackNet Forum for Suraban, the other was to post an advert for the festival on the Young Trans site. The message to the BlackNet Forum site was going to ask for information about the situation in the area. When the two messages were posted she shut her PDU down.
Melanine got up and walked to where Celia was standing thinking about something.
Griffit asked when Melanine was gone, “What were you doing there?”
“Posting a message to BlackNet and also to a Young Trans site I belong to, I’ve only been out a couple of weeks and I’m loving it.”
“Ok. May I say that you do look very good like that, but the shadow could do with some dealing with.”
“I know,” she replied smiling, “but that comes in a while when I’ve been able to earn the money I will need to complete the treatments.”
“How far are you planning on going?”
“Don’t know, at the moment I’m exploring life, having a loving partner, and all things Gith.” She took a mouthful of Chai. This brought her up, from the initial taste it wasn’t chai she got from the cafés she used.
“I can see from the way you just pulled up, you’ve just had some of Big Malla’s spiced Chai?” asked Griffit as she took a mouthful aswell.
“Yeah, I know my Chai, but this one had a spiced taste all of it’s own.”

*****

Tina, Abs, Gretz, Rachel and Angelique walked in through the entrance to the crew area. She saw Big Malla standing chatting to Darla. In Darla’s hands was a tub of something. Tina went straight towards Big Malla and when she was close enough she said, using as close to young John’s voice as she could remember, “Hi Big Malla.”
Big Malla turned and looked her in the eyes and she said, “I remember those eyes, John Griffiths or who ever that person became, come here and give me a bloody hug. It is so good to see you. What the hell brings you back?”
“We saw an advert for it in a café we use in the Harliquanis Mall, South Peninsula district,” she replied, “and I go by the name Tina now.”
“Yes, my young lady, what is this I hear from Celia about you not speaking to you’re mum.” Big Malla looked at her in a very disapproving way. She also sat down on an empty seat and had a young girl run up and almost jump into her lap. “Hang on Demitre, let me get settled first.” After a few seconds Big Malla said, “Now I’m ready.” Demitre almost climbed and was lifted into Big Malla’s lap.
“Yeah, I’ve already had the lecture from Celia. I will I promise, but it has to be in my own time.”
“Hey I know. Something like this drives most families apart in some form or another, but one thing I do know your mum and dad will always love you in some small way and a simple letter telling them that you are ok and that they are thought about releases so much tension it’s unbelievable. Very few people know that I had a daughter that rebelled against me when she was 14 and disappeared. We had had some slanging matches and the previous couple of months. Then out of the blue I receive a letter through the old fashioned post, it had been forwarded on from my previous address. I contacted them and said thanks and invited them here. The letter was from my daughter, it said she was sorry for the things she had said, it also told me she was working and had been living with a partner for five years. The relief I felt knowing she was ok and not dead was massive.”
“Yeah I bet,” she replied and was handed a mug by Misty, who also handed Malla her cup.
“You left when, seven years ago now, and Tim came back three years ago now. So what have you been up to in those three odd years?”
“Loads, I now run with the Bitch Vixens, a Gangrel Street Gang unit, the entire unit is here helping. I am also living with my life partner.”
Over her shoulder came Abs’s head and she planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “Hi, who must be Malla.”
“Yes I am, and you must be Tina’s life partner?”
“That’s me, I’m known as Abs, it’s short for Anna Detric.”

Nibs got up after finishing her chai and walked to where Sandra was playing house mum, with there kit. “What’s up hun?” she asked after she had bent down.
“What John and Celia just did, the exchange of money for Cambar. The supplies the Gangrels have we could destroy the need for dealers and payment. It’s one of my pet hates.”
“Arh, how does everyone else feel about the subject?”
“I know Paul and Tina support me, Abs is sitting on the fence, Gary, Darla don’t know.”
She sat down just out side the door, Sandra came out of the door and joined her. “So I say go and get a large amount and make this festival, for the crew, a free Cambar festival.”
Sandra sat there thinking about the idea, “Yeah why not. I know SD Unit Nine have a couple of large growing rooms and a couple more sites supply the other units, and if need be I can always put a request in to command.”
She smiled. “I think some of us could do with a refill. I know I could.”
“That’s settled then get the rest of the fence panels up and I’ll go and sort out some Cambar”

*****

A couple of hours later 70% of the fencing was up and the two groups were feeling the hard work, Tina, Abs, Sandra and her less so than the rest. To Angel and Damieel is was as if they had spent the afternoon lightly working out the way they moved the panels around. She shook her head at seeing them carry and shift the panels effortlessly.
Sandra had left an half an hour earlier on the mission to gather a large quantity of Cambar for the crew and also to have a chat with a couple of local units about the situation in the area.
When the group had arrived back in the crew area they say Malla, Misty and Darla sat around the fire pit pealing something and dropping them into a large bowl. The three of them were laughing at something. A large long tent had gone up along the fence of Stage 1’s back stage area. Celia’s area looked tidy and a couple more tents had sprung up in the mouth of one was Leia and laying inside, head in the doorway was a gent. Nibs estimated him to be about Leia’s age. The front of the other tent was zipped closed.
She walked to the front of her tent and grabbed her cup from the entrance she was heading for the kitchen. On a long, strong table was a large urn, written on the side were the words ‘Big Malla’s Spiced Chai Urn’, a sign on the top said, ‘Help your self’. She did just that, she opened the tap and poured a mug full and after closing the tap she walked out to the where the fire was and sat beside Malla. She said after taking a sip of the hot Spiced Chai, “Madam, may I say I like your Spiced Chai. It’s got a twang the other Chais don’t have.”
“Please it’s either Big Malla or just Malla, and thank you. I make it myself from spices and herbs I grow at home. There are so many new faces this year what with the friends Tina brought and may I ask, you are?”
“Nibola Calton, I’m know by nearly everyone as Nibs.”
“Nibs it is then.”
Darla stood up picking up the bowl and she tipped it into a large saucepan that was on a large grill over the fire. Daraus came padding in with four other dogs two small terrier type and two larger lean, you could see the power in the pair’s bodies. Behind then came a young woman no older than her. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a vest style top. She had to her ear a mobile and was talking to someone about art or something similar.
When the woman had arrived she sat down beside her taking out a small bag of tobacco and a small plastic bag. From the small plastic bag she took a quanity of Cambar and the woman started to make a Cambar mix.
She took out her tin and said, “Rather than use yours, use mine, I’ve got more coming sometime in the next couple of hours.”
“Thanks mate. Your new aren’t you. I’m Hinita and the two small dogs are mine. The one with the brown nose is Himms the other is Maelstrum. The other two belong to two of the guys talking to Tim.” Hinita then looked around and saw a lot of new faces. “Ok. When did the festival gain so many new people?”
“Yeah, I’m known as Nibs, and yes you have Tina Griffiths to thank for the sudden increase in helpers.”
Tim walked back in looking really happy and surprised. Tim walked to where she was sitting and said to her after he had knelt down, “We’ve never got the fence to the position it is now until mid Torbar. I won’t ask, but feck me you lot work fast.”
Malla turned around and asked, “How much is done then Tim?”
“We’ve just got the chill out area to fence and then the internals and secure compounds to sort.”
“That is good, assuming the marquees come tomorrow then we should have them up by Ulleam and then the last couple of days finishing off,” said Malla.
“That’s the hope, I hope the fencing company deliver the rest of the fences tomorrow, we are sixty panels down and they haven’t delivered the low fencing we need for the arena,” said Tim.
“Ok. Ring them tomorrow lunch time if they don’t arrive in the morning.”
She looked at Darla and asked, “What’s for dinner and what is the status of the meat we brought back?”
“Ulit shoulder and vegetables. The meat is at a local restaurant freezing, Melanine and Griffit took the lot and dropped it into a friend’s chest freezer.”
“Ulit Shoulder. How come?” asked Hinita
“A few of us over the weekend went hunting and brought back five kills. We butchered, and skinned them before we left where we were. Abs I know is going to spend some time cleaning the skins whilst we’re here.”
Hinita looked and thought about something and then asked, “How much do you want for a skin?”
“Don’t know, your best bet is to talk to Abs about it.”
Hinita then looked down seeing the various items on her lap she started to make a Cambar mix from supply in Nibs’ tin. Sandra walked back in smiling and carrying a rucksack that looked rather full. As she walked past her Sandra stopped and only when she was looking up at her partner did Sandra place a kiss on her lips. Sandra then walked to the tent and took off the small rucksack. Sandra placed it inside the inner tent and took a bag from it carrying it to where she was sitting. She took from her pouch a clear bag and passed it to her saying, “Yours hun.”
“Thanks,” she replied smiling.
Hinita looked at the bag and said, “How much is in that bag?”
“Almost two ounces, it’s what our tins take,” replied Sandra. “Arh, I see you smoke, well have a present from the local Gangrels.” Sandra took a bag from the large one and gave it to Hinita saying, “Just don’t sell it.”
Hinita looked at the bag and started to say something then Sandra cut her off, “The Gangrels get Cambar free, and we grow enough to wipe out the need for dealers and the semi illegal trade in it, and ours is a lot stronger than you get on the streets.” Sandra then looked at John and Celia and said, “Here for the pair of you, just under two ounces each.”
“Your kidding!” exclaimed John whilst he was looking very wide eyed at the bag in his lap.
“No, at some point over the next couple of weeks give me a list of all the core crew smokers and I’ll give it to Wester Park Sliders. They have agreed to supply the core crew with free Cambar. They along with SD Unit Nine will be providing support forces should we need it over the next couple of weeks.”
“That’s a good point I need to talk to you about the security arrangements for the weekend,” said John.
“Have that chat after dinner I think,” she replied.

*****

Sat in the open door of the blue van was Nibs. She had just slid her pistol home and was about to start teaching Sandra about the Command and Control, and the surveillance options they now had.
John hobbled over and lent against the door and asked, “How much do you guys know about the current situation surrounding the Blue Diamonds?”
“Enough to know if they come calling over the weekend, they will have the very sharp thin edge of the stick with us and the other local units. When I left I visited a couple of local units and asked them about the current situation, which is that Central has declared the entire gang Personna non Grata. Which mean’s be seen in anything related to the Blue Diamonds and expect to be removed from the gene-pool,” said Sandra.
“I asked you,” and John was looking at her, “earlier about the level of training people had. You said something about Gangrel Basic Training, what does that involve?” asked John whilst he was looking at Sandra.
“Basic Training involves normally a minimum of ten man units learning how be a unit, being safe around fire arms from the pistols we all carry through to the HSWs. We also learn how to protect our-selves in both ranged and up close and personal both with our fists and other combat weapons.”
“Ok, how about security procedures?”
Sandra walked to the door crouching down, and replied, “The Bitch Vixens are mainly a close assault unit, but we’ve like all the other units have a basic understanding of security procedures.”
“That’s good, it adverts my own issues about handling issues of the entrance gates,” said John and he took a draw from the Cambar mix he was carrying. “What about the general level of equipment?”
“We all work on a global communications network that is routed through the command and control centre in the van,” she replied. “We are also equipped with state of the art equipment taken from the armoury beneath the forest retreat of Darla’s parents. We all have a complete set, including all the technology, of Black Light armour, MA series weapons and APEX ammunition, we also have access to standard ammunition.”
“The box here,” said Sandra whilst she tapped the cupboard beside the entrance, “contains a MA70ISW with a belt feed to 10000 rounds of 10mm binary APEX ammunition. We prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and the worst next weekend will be the Blue Diamonds coming down mob handed.”
“Black Light you say?” asked John.
“Yeah,” she replied and accepted the Cambar cigarette Sandra passed her. We found 25 complete sets at the retreat and brought them all back. The plan is that all people on security duty wear a set and you use here as the base for the security.”
John looked into the van and saw the monitors and computer stations. “Can I take it all the cupboards are weapons and such type equipment?”
“Most are, the cupboards under the bench contain surveillance and communications equipment.”
John turned and looked across the crew area and the area just outside and looked as if was thinking about something.
Outside the crew area were a couple of the local traveller vehicles, they from what she had been told by Tim and Dan helped in decorating the site and they organized the art gallery. Hinita had her Rudeashian drum out and was playing it with a couple of other drummers. She remembered back to the twelve months she had spent with Cubadar. ‘It would be really good to meet him again. I know he will have a lot of new stories and beats.’
“Hun,” said, Sandra as John hobbled off in the direction of his family’s tent.
“Sorry, miles away, just thinking about times spent with other friends.”
“Ok, you were going to teach me about the van?”
“Yes I was, wasn’t I.”

Tina and Tim sat around the fire, Abs was reading one of the local papers in their tent.
“So you going to tell me about what you have been up to then?”
“Yes I am. You know about the rows and such me and mum had.”
Tim nodded his head in reply.
“The moment I closed the door the last time, a weight lifted and Abs will tell you I was so much more happy. A couple of weeks later after Sandra and Paul’s mum and dad’s funeral, me and Abs moved in to the Bitch Vixens Home Base in South Central.” She took a draw on the Cambar cigarette and went to offer it to her brother.
“No thanks, sis,” said Tim, “I smoke, but I can’t take a pure one, it rips my throat to pieces. Thanks anyway.”
She smiled at her brother and asked, “You got your present from Sandra and the rest of the Vixens?”
“What the bag of Cambar?” asked Tim as he took out his tobacco pouch, his long cigarette papers and small bag of Cambar.”
“Yes.”
Tim nodded, ‘yes’. “I couldn’t believe it when she dropped it into my lap. How come anyway, you all have large tins?”
“Yeah, it’s one of the perks of being a Gangrel we get Cambar free.”
Tim shook his head, and started to roll a Cambar mix. “I couldn’t help but notice that all of you are carrying pistols, how come, I thought it was not permitted under some rules you guys live by.”
“No you can carry a pistol as long as it’s only loaded with blanks. Ours aren’t we all carry live ammunition.”
Tim looked at her in shock, “What, you are carrying live ammunition for that, cannon.” He was looking at the Colt X33 44 magnum under her arm pit
She looked at him and smiled, “Yes. Even though it is unofficial, the Gangrels act as Central’s police force. I don’t know of a single street gang that can match a War Zone Gangrel force.”
“How come some of the street gangs, from what I know are pretty good.”
She shook her head, “To untrained eyes yes they may seem good, lots of victories and such. Yes?”
Tim nodded his head to her question.
“90% of all Gangrels when they join spend thirteen weeks living at command in South Docks learning how to be a Gangrel. As part of the training we are taught to work as a team, we get taught how to act around all weapons, be they fire arms or knives. A large part is getting fit and when you are they hit you with Gangrel Street, our own combat form, it was designed to be effective and nasty. The first rule you get told is there are no rules to street fighting. It’s very true, if a kick to the groin works at stopping people, then a kick to the groin happens. Nibs took down a six foot four inch 250lbs defensive footbaal player in two moves. She landed a kick to the groin and then brought her knee up and it connected with his face. Nibs is a trained street fighter as well, so the bully was lucky as that combination has been known to kill people.”
“I bet,” said Tim looking in the direction of Nibs. He then muttered, “Remind me never to get on the wrong side of the Gangrels.”
“Ok. How’s mum, dad and Dominic?”
“Mum and dad are ok, I don’t know about Dominic, I never really talk to him unless he picks the phone up when I ring and that is rare.”
Angel walked out of the kitchen area and walked to the fire carrying a tray of cups.
Then a fast beat picked up from the drummers out side and she started to sway in time to the beat. Tim just sat beside her. She was thinking about so many things, but she felt good as she had seriously thought that when she walked out she would never see Tim again, not seeing Dominic was also not a good thing to happen, but that couldn’t be avoided though.
After a few minutes of just sitting there, Tim said, “I have to admit though you do look good sat there, ask you a personal question sis?”
“Yeah, I have no secrets, secrets lead to mis-trust and other problems.”
“Your tits, are they real, and how far do you intend to go?”
She sat there and looked at her older brother. “They are real. When I had finished Basic Training, I was seen by one of the doctors the Gangrels have access to and he wrote the prescription for me and has said that he was happy to write a referral to any medical doctor qualified to treat trans people. I’ve been on them ever since.”
Tim shook his head and said, “I have to admit you do look very good sis, you look fit, strong and confident. Not like the way I remember John, he was weak, timid and lacked confidence, but I can see why, Celia has chatted to me about being trans and how it makes people feel. The festival had a trans woman volunteer for a couple of years between us leaving and me coming back. She left the year before I came back to help. No one has heard from her since.”
“Ok. When Darla told me and Abs and I went shopping, I dreamt John was being picked on and a girl dressed as a Gith laid into them and scattered the attackers. When I looked up I saw Tina looking back at me.”
Tim shook his head slightly smiling as Angel passed both him and her a hot drink.
“Damn, it’s got a bit nippy,” she said and called to Abs, “Hun can u pass me my jacket?”
Abs got up and carried her jacket to her and continued on out of the crew area and started to watch a couple of people who had started to twirl things. She put it on and said, “How about you, you’ve probably had some adventures yourself?”
The next couple of hours was spent chatting and telling each other their adventures and fun.
“I’ll say this the Gangrels sound like a great bunch of people,” said Tim.
“We are, and the festival crew they also sound like a good group, just like I remembered them and the feelings are the same as I had when mum and dad helped.”
“I know, those feeling’s don’t just go away,” said Tim and he wrapped his arm around his sister and gave her a hug of welcome home.

Nibs and Sandra sat in the door war of the Command and Control van watching Tina and Tim. “It’s good to see Tina feeling the way she does now, she was very aphrensive about what awaited her when she did return, she thought her mum and dad had come back and had begun to volunteer again,” said Sandra
“Well it’s nice to see so many people happy,” she replied smiling. “Tomorrow is going to be fun finish the fencing and I think we help put the marquees up.”
“That will be interesting,” she said, “I’ve seen various marquees up. I wonder what style will be here.”

Chapter 22 —

Early the following day Nibs, Sandra and Daraus were sat around the fire pit having had the last security shift of the night. The sun had been up for a couple of hours when Tina and Abs’ tent door opened and Tina stepped out.
“Good morning you two,” said Tina.
“Good morning Tina,” said Sandra.
She nodded her hello and pointed to the still steaming kettle.
Tina’s eyes lit up as she grabbed her mug from the entrance to the tent and saw the coffee and other items sat on a small table beside the fire place.
“We did a bit of a skip raid during our shift, and found a couple of slabs that will serve as somewhere to put the kettles and the table for the coffee, and other drink making stuff.”
“Nice idea,” said Tina she grabbed a seat beside her. “You two enjoying it here?”
“Yeah,” she replied. “Ever since you guys asked me to join I’ve been loving it, I said to Griffit yesterday, I’m enjoying life, having a partner and all things Gith and Alternative.”
“Same here. You’re lot happier than you were last week,” said Sandra after taking a mouthful of coffee.
Tina bent down and sorted out herself her first coffee of the day. “I know, seeing Tim was a surprise, but it’s so good that the original crew hasn’t changed that much in seven years.”
An hour later a couple of trucks pulled up in the main car-park in front of the gate, the two drivers and two mates climbed out. They walked towards the crew area as she stood up and started towards the gate to let them in. She stopped when she saw then walking towards the crew area and sat back down taking a sip of her coffee. She then felt the weight of the kettle and headed for the kitchen area to re-fill them.
She heard the lead guy say, “Hi, you got a drink on in there?”
“Yeah in a second,” she replied as she turned the tap off, of the now almost empty water carrier. She walked back out carrying them and four cups she took from the table hanging one of the kettles over the fire pit.
“I don’t remember you, where’s Tim?”
“Still sleeping,” said Tina, “Hang on.” After a couple of seconds, “Your Jeff aren’t you?”
“Yeah, how do you know that?” asked Jeff looking very perplexed.
“I’m Tim’s sister/brother from seven years ago, I was known as John Griffiths.”
Jeff looked at her and said after recovering his mouth from the floor, “That’s some change.”
“Yeah I know,” said Tina as she got up and asked, “You lot want a drink?”
“Yeah please, thanks,” replied Jeff.
An hour later Tim’s tent door opened and a very bleary eyed Tim appeared and said, “Good morning campers. God your up early sis.”
“I know I don’t need much sleep.”
Tim then looked at Sandra and her and asked, “Any thing to report?”
“No, easy night. Did a bit of skip raiding and got a small table for the coffee and stuff and a couple of slabs for the kettles and pans to sit on.”
Tim nodded asking, “Is the water hot?”
“Stick it on the fire and it will be,” replied Sandra.
“Hi Tim,” said Jeff as he walked back in from the toilets.
“Oh, you are here.” Tim stood up and moved the seven feet to a free chair. He lent forward and hung the fullest kettle on the hook.
“Who’s got the keys for the gate Tim?” asked Jeff after Tim had taken his first mouthful of coffee.
“Nibs has them,” replied Tim.
She smiled at Jeff who looked rather annoyed, “Why didn’t you say you had them?”
“You never asked,” she replied. She then passed them to Jeff who stood and dragged the other driver with him. A couple of minutes later the two trucks’ engines started, slowly they drove onto the site and parked up just outside the crew area. The pair walked back into the crew area and gave Tim the keys.
“Thanks,” replied Tim.
“What is the situation about crew for putting up and taking down the marquees?” asked Jeff
“Meet your crew,” replied Tim and pointed at the three, “with others. They had 70% of the fence up by 7 last night.”
“70%!” exclaimed Jeff, “That is good. If your that good, then we should have them up by this evening.”
“Yeah, show us one and we’ll do the rest, if you want to supervise the complicated ones like the stage 1 and 2 and the Gallery.”
After thirty minutes the first signs of Celia and Malla getting up happened with Willoo appearing from her’s and Celia’s tent and the rear door to Malla’s van opening. When Willoo had appeared she headed for the fire, pit rubbing her eyes, she said, “Hello friends.” Daraus padded over to Willoo and she bent down and gave Daraus a stroke, this got Daraus to give her a sloppy kiss in reply.
“Good morning people, and I think it will be a fine day as well,” said Malla.
“Good morning Big Malla,” said Tina who was smiling, that hadn’t been off her face since she got up.

*****

A couple of hours later the two trucks had deposited their contents of pegs, cables, bundles of various coloured canvases and pole sections in seven locations around the site. Nibs and the rest of the Vixens and Raiders, minus Misty and Darla as they helped in the crew area and manned the C&C, along with a few of the other crew were gathered around one of the single pole marquees. It took the group an hour and a half to put the actual marquee up.
When it was fully up and all the sides were on Gary, Paul and a few of the crew went off with the driver and the two mates to erect the twin pole marquees. It left three single pole marquees to be erected.
As the group of twelve friends and Jeff walked to where the first of the piles were, she suggested, “Lets put two up and then the first to finish starts to put the third up.”
Tina called back as she led Abs, Angel and Damieel and Angelique towards the second pile, “Ok Nibs.”
She looked at her and stuck her tongue out as she walked off.
Gretz along with Rachel had already started to sort out the pole.
“Sledge hammer, I knew I had forgotten to pick something up,” she said angrily turning towards the crew area and the tools in the white van.
When she walked into the crew area she saw Melaine and Griffit both on their knees painting signs for when the festival was open. Two more new faces were sat around the fire drinking a drink. She slid the side door open and reached in, taking the two sledge hammers from the tool area. She turned around and saw Tim head towards the gate as a truck carrying some toilets had arrived.
She carried the two sledge hammers back to the group and handed one to Bee who swung it and it impacted the top of a setadar spike. Sandra was holding it until it was in the ground. She continued to walk to where Jeff and the second group were getting things ready. Angel smiled as she approached and headed to take the sledge hammer from her.
When she had returned Sandra was holding the third spike which would act as the base of the pole Rachel and Gretz were dragging the various quarter sections out so they were in place around the pole.
Jeff walked to the head of the pole and started to attach the four steel cables that would support the pole when it was up. “Nibs,” spoke Jeff as he looked up, “can you run the four cables out and then take four spikes and place them at quarter points.”
She nodded her reply and walked the cable that ran down the actual pole itself. When she had made sure the cable was not tangled Bee and Sandra walked to where she was standing. “Where’s the next spike going Jeff?” asked Sandra as Jeff walked towards the group.
“Pretty close to where you are standing. Place a spike at quarters the pole.” He then turned and walked towards the second erection team.
A couple of hours later the all but one of the marquees were up and the first batch of toilets had arrived and been sited in the back stage areas of the four performance stages and the Gallery. Two had also been placed in the crew area. One of the pair had been sealed so it could be moved to the steward area near the main gate. The toilets the public would use were arriving on Frodar.
When Sandra and her walked back in they saw John was sat in the command and control vehicle and stood outside were a pair of new women. The left one of the pair had mousey coloured hair, she was wearing a pair of dark blue cords and a black light fleece jacket. The other was wearing a pair of jeans, a bikini top and she had red hair that reached her shoulders. She could see Misty sitting in the passengers seat explaining something to the three.
Darla walked back in from somewhere in the main field and was followed by a couple more new people. “Drinks you two?”
She shook her head to clear it and replied, “Thanks Darla, Chai please.”
The pair walked to where Willoo and Katerina were sitting around the fire, Daraus was laying between the two chairs.
She looked at the sight and suggested to Sandra, after they had sat down, “Shall we let the pair of them be in charge of Daraus whilst the festival is not open to the public. It would keep him busy and hopefully out of mischief and would give us the time to get the festival properly set up.”
“Yeah, I don’t see why not,” replied Sandra, “Celia, how do you think Willoo and Katerina are going to take being responsible for Daraus whilst the festival is not open to the public?”
“Don’t know, they should be supervised, but Katerina and Willoo are both intelligent and have been around animals for all their lives. Let them have him today and ask them again tomorrow and each day.”
She nodded as did Sandra at the good advice Celia had just given them.
She saw the two women move away from the van. When they had she saw the red haired woman was carrying a Delt 357 in a side holster. The mousey coloured haired one was also carrying what looked like a Coltanar Police Service Automatic. John climbed out and was followed by Misty.
The red haired one asked, “With the new technology, what would happen if something was to occur?”
“That’s easy, you hand all tactical control over to the security forces and they deal with the situation. Hi I’m Sandra and this is my partner Nibola also known as Nibs.”
“Carol Hill, Street Ghost and I work as a bouncer at a local night club.”
“Ruth Timms a team member when we get offered Street Ghost work.”
“And for the last few years the festival’s security force. Meet two members of the new and improved security.”
“Hi, I guess we’re going to be working together then over the weekend.”
“It kind of looks that way,” she replied as Malla handed her and Sandra a cup of hot spiced Chai.
She took a mouthful and smiled at the beautiful taste of the drink. “What are your thoughts for the security over the weekend, John?” she asked.
“At least one person in command and control. I would like to have two, but I think the numbers are only going to allow one in there. Then split the entire force into two and have each work as a combination of static security on the gates and patrols around the rest of the site,” replied John, then Darla handed him a thermal mug. “Thanks Darla.”
“No problem John,” said Darla as she handed out the rest of the cups on the tray she was carrying.

*****

The afternoon was spent relaxing in the crew area Tina and Abs were out and about meeting the local units. The rest of the Vixens were sat in tent mouths or around the fire. Celia walked in after returning with Melanine from a local place which stored paint for people after they had finished with it. The centre also acted as a place where people could go and get leftover paint.
She felt someone tap her on the shoulder, and then a voice asking, “You two busy?”
“No,” replied Sandra.
She turned to face the voice and saw it was Melanine. “No,” she replied and looked around to see a pile of recycled wood and a good twenty paint cans of various colour. “Right then, what do we need?”
“That lot,” replied Griffit as she sat back pointing to a list on the fence.
She looked at the list and saw it had about twenty items on. “How are the signs being placed?”
“The ones on the gates are being fixed by strip ties and the ones for inside are either being fixed with strip ties or hammered onto posts and then they are hammered into the ground,” replied Celia.
“Where’s the posts then?” she asked as she knelt down and picked up a paint brush and dipped the tip into the red paint.
“We make them as we need them,” replied Melanine as she and Sandra headed off back to the car and the paint in the boot.
She looked at the list and decided to start on the sign for the Skate Board stage.
Most of the afternoon was spent creating the signs that were needed.

*****

*****

Frodar 5th Auar 09:00BN
Laying on the bedding mat Nibs was looking out across the crew area. Both John and KaVon were just about up, they liked the late nights and hated the early mornings, she could see that be the state of their eyes. Katerina and Demmia were both sat on smallish chairs eating their breakfasts.
Inside the inner tent was a small pile of clothes and the rest of the personal gear the pair used. Their pistols were locked in the command and control van.
Sleeping beside her was Sandra and at the foot of the pair was Daraus who padded up between them looking at the pair when he was at the doorway. She swore she saw a face where the muzzle should have been and it smiled at her. Daraus then headed out into the crew area.
Damieel’s head appeared in the door way asking in a loud voice, “Do you two want coffee?”
“Thanks Damieel. You’ve just woken sleeping beauty here.” She smiled at her. “Please.”
“Hey, I heard that,” came from the sleeping form next to her.
“Oh, you are awake then,” she said re-lighting the Cambar cigarette she was smoking.
Sandra rolled over on to her back and looked up at the roof of the inner tent.
She looked at her partner who was happy, smiling and looked very relaxed. She passed Sandra the Cambar cigarette and lighter then Damieel appeared again in the door. She was carrying two cups each was steaming.
Sandra rolled over and shifted slightly so she wasn’t exposing herself to the festival crowd. She then let out a plume of smoke and smiled ‘thanks’ at Damieel. Sandra rolled over onto her front reaching out to take her cup from Damieel she then sipped it as it felt hot from holding the cup by its handle. John was sat cooking on a couple of gas cookers the frying pan he was using came off and he took out a couple of strips of some meat. It went into a roll which Tim picked up and he then headed for the pairs tent.
He knelt down and took a bite from the roll, asking when he had finished his mouthful, “No problems last night?”
“None we heard off, the Gallery was up late, but it was quiet music and singing,” she replied.
“Ok, we should have the District inspector on site at about 3.30 4ish, which team is on?”
She sat and thought about it, and replied, “I’m not sure I think it’s team two.”
“Right,” said Tim, “Any chance when I go round with the person someone from security comes with me.”
“I would have thought someone would be free to,” she replied and then stared at him.
After a couple of seconds he left the pair to get up. She dragged the front of the tent down, sitting up when it was. She pulled the sleeping bag from her legs and said, “I need a shave today with out fail, I’ve let it go two days, no more.” She grabbed her pants and slipped them over her legs and they were joined by her trousers. “I also need to get some washing done, this I’ve had on a couple of days as well and I ain’t got a clean one.”
“Yeah your not the only one who needs to do some washing, so do I. I wonder how many of the others are also in the same situation.”
A few minutes later Sandra rolled the front up and stepped out and into a pair of sandals Celia had given her a couple of days earlier.
As she stepped out she said, “I think today I’m going bare foot, my feet were toughened once, I think they need to get back there.”
John called to the pair, as Nibs bent down and zipped the front of the tent up, “Breakfast guys,” she looked at where john was cooking and saw a couple of rolls similar to the one Tim had just had.
“Thanks John,” said Sandra as she walked towards him and took the two rolls.
She walked to where Sandra was standing eating a mouthful of roll, she took the second roll Sandra was holding and asked KaVon, “Do you know if anyone has a 3 metre length of cord, I want Daraus on a lead this weekend.”
“Ask Celia or Melanine. Yeah that’s a good point where is Melanine and Griffit. I’ve not seen them this morning.”
“Don’t know, we were up chatting until about 1, then me and Sandra took a patrol and they had gone when we got back,” she replied after finishing her mouthful. “What’s the meat?”
“I think it’s from the meat you guys brought. She brought us some yesterday and said some more should be coming today,” replied KaVon
The pair nodded thanks around a second mouthful and walked towards the Command and Control Van.
Ruth was stepping out as they approached and said, “You two want your pistols?”
“Yeah, thanks Ruth,” replied Sandra as she licked her fingers after finishing the roll.
Ruth turned stepping back into the van and could be heard opening the cupboard beside the ammo store. She then reappeared and handed the pair their pistols and ammunition blocks. And got the order wrong.
“The 44 is Sandra’s,” she said when she saw Ruth had passed her Sandra’s pistol.
“Oops, sorry,” said Ruth with a slight chuckle in her voice, she then crossed her arms and got the pistol’s right. “I’m surprised you use that cannon,” asked Ruth looking at Sandra.
“I’ve found that when someone is looking down the barrel of a weapon more than capable of blowing the back of a head off they are very complient when I want them to do things.”
“That I can understand,” said Ruth as they three walked out of the Crew Area.
“Do you know what happened to Melanine and Griffit.”
“Yeah, they got a call from some security person and they left,” replied Ruth as she stopped and checked the door of the toilet.
Sandra and her continued walking towards the traders zone between Stage 1 and the Theatre area. As they walked they passed Tim who looked like he was fighting with one of the small marquees owned by people connected to the festival.
She Tim look around and started to run towards them shouting, “Nibs. Sandra. Hang on mates.”
Heading from the Chill Out Zone was Angel and Willoo, Daraus was walking at Willoo’s heel
They both stopped and waited for Tim to catch up. Out of breath Tim said, “Would you mind heading for the chill out zone and finish the set up there, Melanine and Griffit ain’t in and are likely not to be in today.”
“What’s happened, they vanished last night. Ruth said they had had a phone call and just left.”
Angel smiled at the pair as they passed.
Sandra turned and said, “Daraus heel.”
Daraus walked away from Willoo’s heel and padded to where the pair were standing and sat beside Sandra’s heel.
“From what Griffit told me when she rang, Adrian’s been seen with the leader of the Blue Diamonds and was seen being the eyes as he collected protection money, it’s even on security camera footage.”
“Feck me. They likely to be in at all over the weekend?” she asked.
“Don’t know,” replied Tim. “I’ll sort something out, but could you two go and help setup the Chill Out Zone?”
“No problem,” responded Sandra and the pair turned towards the Zone.
“I’ll send a copy of the area plan to you in the next few minutes,” called Tim as they walked away.
As they walked away she said nodding and smiling at a member one of the stalls who was setting up, “I wonder about what Tim has just said. I think Adrian is being led rather than going willingly, what with what Melanine was saying last night.”
After a couple of seconds Sandra said, “I agree, but I also think he may be rebelling as well. To have a dad and then loose him violently and then to have your mum start seeing and sleeping with women can be quite a shock to the system. I’ve known Gangrels go off the rails due to less.”
“Bloody hell!” she exclaimed. “What happened?”
“One guy knew his dad was in jail for murdering a Corporate Security ‘goon’, who we find out during the trail had been running a small protection racket in the local businesses. Mum doesn’t divorce dad, but starts seeing both men and women. The guy went off the rails and had a nervous breakdown. He almost killed himself with his pistol a few weeks later. Mystique from the Dark Mysts Combat Support Unit talked him into giving her his pistol and then became his best friend. Mystique drove him from Central District to Gangrel Command three times a week to see one of the counsellors the Gangrels have. I think it’s time we let you into the whole secret. Only the A rated units know the full picture.”
She looked at her and went to say something.
“We would have told you when you were introduced to the gang, it’s the traditional time for telling members we told Tina when she was introduced.”
“Ok, I’ll let you off not telling me, you got any other secrets?”
“No. Officially the Gangrels also include 17 full Mercenary Commands and 177 Youth Feeder groups, these groups feed trained personal directly to the mercenary commands. We also have an under 14s section called the Young Gangrels. Across the broad the rules each group lives under are the same, we care for the little people. Seek members from those disadvantage by society.”
She smiled at Hinita who had just walked out of the Gallery somewhat the worse for the lack of sleep. “Morning.”
“Good morning,” responded Hinita rather sleepily as she walked towards the crew area. Behind the Gallery was Hinita’s truck and home.
Sandra continued when she realized she was listening, “The Gangrel Street Gang has over 1100 members spread through out Suraban and that doesn’t include the support personal and the guys at command. The reason the Street Gang is not as big at the other groups is the environment here in Suraban. The very north and some of the western side a lot of the people who would join the street gang join the youth feeders. The street gang does have units in these areas, but we have more in the south. Most of the mercenary commands have their bases in the north of the city around the Newbran Combat District. Most of the commands have a few youth feeders feeding directly into the ranks, most of the youth feeder units feed directly to a central pool and the commands select from there.”
“What about training and all the support services that would be needed?”
“Gangrel Basic Training applies to all, all Gangrels should undertake basic training. Only a rare few are deemed not to need it, your one of those,” replied Sandra as they reached the Chill Out Zone.
She looked around and saw one zone had already fully set up and was semi open for business. A second was setting up. The area’s generator was in place and the two areas for the toilets that would be used by the public were ready if empty and at the other end was one of the entry gates.
As she finished looking around she saw out of the corner of her eye she saw a large multi-coloured van driving slowly across the field, in front was walking Dan who was wearing a high visibility vest. When he had arrived he said, “Tim sent me with this for you two and he arrived as I was coming across.”
“Thanks Dan,” she replied and saw Sandra was already chatting to the driver of the van. She walked over and said, “Hi.”
“Hi, I was just telling your colleague I’m this area,” said the gent, with a very heavy Spinnayan accent. He pointed to the area which said, ‘Cats seeks Dog’. “My name is Hiemlirk. I was wondering where is Melanine or Griffit?”
“From the reports we’ve heard, Mel’s son was seen to be involved in an outlawed gang and the local security called her last night and we’ve not seen either of them since,” she replied.
“Ok. Has my area been marked out?” enquired Hiemlirk.
“From the fact one has set up I think we can assume it has,” replied Sandra.
“And your in the far corner. Only one more to arrive and that looks like a stall rather than an actual area,”
Heimlirk climbed out and stretched saying when he had finished, “That is a long drive.”
“Where were you before you came here?” she asked in perfect Spinnayan.
Heimlirk looked at her very surprised. “That’s perfect Spinnayan. I left Port Freeton yesterday morning. It’s over a thousand miles from there to here.”
“I know,” she replied, “I lived in Spinya for a half a year and I have a talent for picking up languages.”
He walked to where the area was after a few seconds of looking at it he headed back for his van.

*****

As Sandra and her walked back into the crew area they saw Melanine was crying against Celia’s shoulder and Griffit was stood behind her with her hands on Melaine’s shoulders comforting her. Sandra looked at her and caught her attention and indicated ‘Can I have a chat with you’ to her. Griffit moved away and walked towards the pair.
“What’s up with Melanine?” she asked
“The local security force says that if Adrian is picked up with any known Blue Diamond then he is going to be treated like a gang member,” replied Griffit.
“Feck me!” quietly exclaimed Sandra. “All I hope is that if he is spotted then it’s by a Gangrel unit and not City Security. Hun can I borrow your PDU. I’ll email the local units and give them a heads up on the situation with Adrian. If they come into contact with him they will offer him a place as a probe, but he will be treated as a full Gangrel, everyone is. Don’t tell Melanine I don’t want to raise her hopes and then it not happen.”
“You would do that for Melanine?” asked Griffit sounding very surprised at her offer.
“Yes Griffit. The Gangrels recruit from those people disadvantaged by society, from hearing Melanine talk, Adrian has been disadvantaged by society. We understand that it is not easy to come to terms with the death of a family member especially a loved father, and then, nothing against you Griffit, to find out your mum is bi-sexual and she is dating women can send most people off the rails. The Gangrels care for all especially the little person, those not able to defend themselves or get in over their heads. It sounds like Adrian has gotten in over his head.”
She took out her PDU and handed it to Sandra after booting it up. “I’m going to go and have a shave.”

“Ok.” Sandra opened NetBrowser and went to her Gangrel email address and from the central servers she selected the various units in the area and sent them an email explaining the situation concerning Adrian and asking that they keep an eye out for him. After sending it she shut it down and saw Nibs was looking in a mirror fixed to the fencing and in front of her was a bowl.
“That can not be fun for her,” said Griffit. “Will you find out if the do find him.”
“Probably not,” she replied. “It’s better that people outside the unit don’t know. The message will be read and dealt with by the people who need to read it.”
Griffit sat there and said, “I wish I had had the Gangrels in Ulin. They hate people like me, lesbians, I’ve known them to torture, rape and degrade the lesbians and gays. I won’t go back ever, well not until we get better treatment than we do now. Bastards. I watched them as the took away one of my best friends just because she had been outted by her ex-boyfriend.”
“That’s not right at all.” She was very angry inside, ‘Why do people do that hate people like Griffit, I bet they would hate people like Nibs and Tina. No, that is wrong.’

*****

Nibs, Sandra, Daraus and Tim were all waiting at the main gate for the District Inspector to arrive.
He walked up and smiled at the three people waiting for him. “Good afternoon Tim, ladies.”
“Afternoon,” responded Tim. “Shall we.”
“Yes, lets.” The group led by Tim started to walk towards the main Beer Tent and Stage 1. Stood outside the generator enclosure was Brac, the head electrician, who smiled as they walked past. Tim constantly chatting to him, answering questions and all the other jobs the Site Manager has to do when the District Inspector is on site.
About half way round Tim and Gavin stopped and Gavin asked Nibs and Sandra, “Tim says that you two are two members of the new security the festival has brought in. I don’t seem to have any details.”
“That would be because we were only employed as security when the festival found out that the fourteen members of the security team all hold Full Street Ghost licences. Also nine members, including us two, are members of the Gangrel Street Gang and are listed on the Central Databases as Security trained.”
“Well with that, I’m happy. You must know of the situation on the streets around here?”
“We do, and we are ready should they try anything. All the stewards have been briefed about the security procedures in place for this festival,” she said. “From what we have been able to find out they either don’t know the fair has a new security team or they think they will be able to brush what ever security is present aside. Which if they try, they will find out that it’s them getting the rough end of the stick.”
The rest of the tour went without incident and when the group arrived back at the main gate, Gavin said, “I have no problem in allowing you to open and good luck over the weekend.”
“Thank you,” replied Tim.
“Command and Control, Nibs. We are cleared to open.”
“Yeah,” came back over the earpiece from all the guys in the crew area who could hear her comments about opening.
The three walked back to the crew area and found the steward and security briefing had just started and so they joined the back of it.

*****

After the first shift had just finished, Sandra and her had walked in from completing their last patrol they saw Abs, Ruth and Carol were all sat around the fire with a hot drink. John was sat in the command and control vehicle as he had volunteered to cover the over five hours the festival was open this evening.
She collapsed into one of the seats and was, she knew everyone could see, very happy indeed. “This is great, I will have to thank Tina for suggesting coming.”
“It is great, isn’t it,” said Ruth.
Then over the speakers in C&C came Darla’s voice saying, “Control, Gate two. We have a group of youths trying to blag their way onto the site, and from what I can see some of them are packing at least side arms.”
All of the people sat around the fire sat up with what Darla had just said.
John then said, “Thank you gate two, message received and understood. Patrol teams, Control. Head for Gate two.”
“Control, Paul. On route to Gate two now. ETA 2 minutes.”
“Control, Gate two. Fire Arms Visible.”
“Move,” commanded John and all the people around the fire headed for the van, Abs jumped up into the open side door and sat in the driver’s seat. Carole followed Abs into the passenger’s seat where Nibs noticed she dropped her pistol and checked the breach and magazine.
She shook her head as she, Sandra and Ruth climbed into the back John had shifted seats to the rear one so allowing access to the main weapons store. She opened the cupboard door and she began to remove the weapons stored.
As she was doing that, John said, “Car-park gate get the crew area van exit open.”
The next sound was Abs starting the engine and driving up the short driveway before exiting into the main area.
The entire festival was now absolutely dark and quiet, as the security briefing had said that the second trouble happens kill the sound and the lights, only the generators are to remain running. She realized the noise other than the generators and van’s engine was the revellers understanding that something was going down or about to go down.
As Abs exited the road, John said, “EMU gate 4, C&C, get that gate open.”
She passed Sandra Abs’s sniper rifle which she took and placed behind where Abs was driving. The next weapon was a HK22 SMG which she used to tap Carol on the shoulder. She then took out a second HK22 and when Sandra had turned back she passed it to her. Tina appeared in the door and took the next weapon in her hands which was an MA60. The next weapon was a second MA60 which she passed to Sandra. She then unclipped her bow as Tina jumped out and disappeared and she also took a handful of normal arrows.

*****

When Sandra had climbed in behind Nibs she opened the cupboard holding the MA70 and clipped back the door. Nibs then handed her Abs’s sniper rifle which she placed behind her and she also grabbed a HUU and passed it to Abs who was about to start the engine. Abs took it and slipped it over her head and then went back to driving the van out.
As she turned back Nibs handed her a HK22 which she used to tap Carol on the shoulder. When Carol had turned around she saw her face which was one of shock as she took the HK. Carol carried out the standard safety procedure with the weapon. When she had turned back she saw Nibs was holding a second HK which she took and passed to Ruth who was looking out the windscreen in the middle. Sandra then took an MA60 as Tina jumped into the open door and hung on as Abs drove out of the open EMU gate. Sandra passed Tina the MA60 and that was closely followed by her HUU unit which she took and disappeared from the door. Ruth followed Tina out of the open side door.
She turned back and took the second MA60 Nibs was holding, she saw Nibs unclip her bow as she turned and grabbed her HUU and along with Carol they both disappeared out of the side door. As she jumped out she moved right and knelt down. She placed the HUU over her head and configured it for the smart link. The screen inside the HUU displayed the High frequency infra red view of the area. It showed the group of twenty, twenty five people some seven looked like they were carrying and were acting very aggressively towards the gate staff and Darla.
She looked along the fence line and saw stewards leading the people away from the area and others were also bringing in extra flood lamps, which she knew combined with the lamps on the van would make their lives difficult when they moved to secure the area.
John’s voice came over the communication system, “All people report.”
“Sandra here, ready you getting my cam John?”
“Yes I am,” replied John.
She then looked at the van and saw John sat in the door operating the MA70, and she could see Abs resting her sniper rifle on the bonnet of the van. She saw Nibs had moved close to the fence and was standing bow drawn back, arrow notched. She thought ‘I hope that’s not one of her special arrows.’
A few seconds later she heard John’s voice command, “Now,” and the flood lights came on and illuminated the area with light. The compensators took care of the initial glare and allowed her to view what was happening. She could see most of the group bar the seven were suddenly looking very scared and most had their hands shielding their eyes from the light and they were looking around into the now pitch blackness. She knew that only people trained in understanding the street would know how to react to the differences in light.
One person caught her eye, he, like the rest was shielding his eyes, but he didn’t look as scared as the rest. It was as if he had been given some training and through that gained the discipline not to look scared but controlled. She saw Tina and Carol move closer to the group. Just inside the fence line was Gary, Paul and Darla. Darla was carrying her HK27 and was looking around at the situation beyond the fence.
John’s voice came again this time over a megaphone, “Everyone on the floor, palms up, legs crossed at the ankles,” he paused slightly to let the instructions sink in and continued, “NOW.”
The speed which the scared group went face down impressed even her, she then realized that this was not a part of the general plan for the group and this was the first time they had dealt with this type of situation and she knew they were very scared. Unknown force with unknown firepower all they could see was a figure in the side door of the van and he looked like he was operating some form of weapon. She saw Tina and Carole move and at the same time she saw Darla, Paul and Gary move out from the festival.
She maintained her position along with Ruth, Nibs and Abs. She saw Tina swing the butt of her MA60 and it removed the legs of one of the guys who had remained defiantly standing his weapon was soon on the pile near the fence line as Tina bent down and said something very forceful into the guy’s ears. One guy went to punch Darla which she blocked and brought her knee up and the power behind the impact forced the guy to flinch and this allowed Darla to apply a wrist lock and forced him against the fence and like Tina said something to him. More than likely concerning how stupid he was being.

Tina heard Darla’s message immediately leaving the Skateboard stage and running for where the Van would be leaving the crew area. She saw it leave altering her path to intercept it. She jumped on and grabbed the handle just above the door. She took the MA60 Sandra passed her along with her HUU. After the van had left the festival and had turned heading around in a large arc towards the site of the incident. She jumped down and went to ground. She placed her HUU over her head and dropped it into place.
Upon switching it on she was able to see the whole scene for the first time, the high frequency infrared lamp providing enough light for the infrared camera to use and work. The scene was of a large group of people most of the older ones were standing in a group to one side, she guessed they had moved to there when the shit hit the fan. She could see inside the fence line was Darla who was now holding her HK27 and beside her was Paul and Gary, both of them had their pistols out. She looked over the field and saw Sandra and Carol jump out. The pair spread out from the departure point. Sandra knelt and lifted the MA60 to her shoulder. Nibs was the last person out before Abs turned the van around and headed back to the middle of the area where she turned and made sure John was in a position to command the scene. She saw Abs climb out and grab her Sniper rifle using the bonnet of the Van as a rest site.
She heard John’s voice over the communication system order, “All people report.”
“John, Tina. Set and ready.”
After a couple few more seconds whilst the stewards dealt with the final preparation inside the festival she heard John command, “Now” and the ten flood lamps inside the festival went on and the four above the door of the van were switched on. The light compensators in the HUU made sure she was not blinded. She saw the instant the lights went on they all of the group brought their arms and hands to shield their eyes from the very bright lights. ‘The light is doing nothing for their night vision,’ she thought.
She stood and moved using a stouped run and again went to ground a good bit closer to the group. She saw Carol also move and glanced at where Sandra was and she was still kneeling with the MA60 in the ready position.
When John commanded the group to their faces she only moved when most of them had gone face down. Upon reaching the scene she brought the shoulder stock of her MA60 round and impacted it with the back of one guy’s legs this caused him to collapse and she placed her face very close to his head and said, “I bloody well hope you lot ain’t Blue Diamonds, cause if you are, you’re in a lot of shit.” Before she stood up she grabbed the guy’s pistol and threw it towards the gate. She looked at where it hand landed and saw one of the stewards pick it up and place it with the other pistols and knives. She stood and saw one guy had his face against the fence holding him there was Darla who was having a few words with him.
Suddenly in amongst them were more guys all of them wearing night camouflage and carrying similar assault weapons. Then Nibs’ voice came over the communication system, “Local Gangrels are now on site. Hand control to them only when they have active control of the situation. Darla lock the gate when you get back inside, we’ll keep that gate closed until tomorrow.”
She then heard Darla’s voice replying, “Confirmed will do when not holding this guy.” She saw one of the new Gangrels take the guy from Darla and he was heaved into the middle of the others with pistols. The guy she was standing over looked up and the look in his eyes told a tale all of its own to her, he feared what was coming, he knew what was going to happen very soon. She looked at him with a bit of pity, but the law was the law, Street Gangs that went out of control were investigated and if they were found to have broken the rules then Central would pass a judgement, only in the most extreme case would they pass Persona non grata judgement. He knew that when he was taken away he was effectively dead as the Gangrels were renouned for not being very sympathetic in situations like this.
She felt someone tap her on the shoulder, looking around she saw a second guy had arrived. The pair had taken control of the guy. She moved back and took up a covering position.
She saw Darla, Paul and Gary retreat back inside the gate and she saw Darla lock the gate closed. She stood and headed for where the van was parked. She stepped up into the open side door and saw John sat at the back smiling at something, more than likely the effectiveness of the new security.

*****

As Abs was driving the van, very slowly under steward escort, back to the crew area Nibs and Sandra both smiled at everyone and then stepped off and headed for the Gallery. Earlier in the evening during their security shift, they had seen Hinita sat with a few other people and they all had Rudeashean drums close by.
As they started to walk towards the Gallery Willoo, Katerina and Doris ran with up a happy Daraus on his length of cord lead. She bent down and made a fuss of Daraus and Daraus gave her a kiss in return. “Willoo can I have the lead, we’re off duty and I want to enjoy the company of my partners.”
“Yeah no problem, can we look after him tomorrow?” asked Katerina.
“Of course you can,” she replied and Willoo handed her the end of the lead. As they walked off Daraus walked at her heel. The three ran off in the direction of Stage 2.
“Hun,” said Sandra.
“Yes darling,” she replied.
“I’m not sure but I think Adrian was in the group we’ve just stopped.”
“What makes you say that?”
The three stopped at one of the traders stalls in the East Trader Zone. She picked up a necklace and asked Sandra, “What do you think?”
“For you or me, I like the cross you wear.”
She smiled and remember how she had gotten it, ‘I want to visit those two, find Tammeria and the others at some point.’ “No I thought for you. I think its suits you.”
Sandra took it and looked at in the mirror and smiled at her partner’s choice it, did suit her.
She smiled at the stall owner who walked over to the pair and asked, “You two with the security crew?”
“Yeah,” she replied and then asked, “How much for the necklace?”
“On the stall, with what you lot did this evening you deserve it. That gang has been the cause of a lot of problems for the local area.”
She noticed the venom the trader used when he was talking about the gang. “Thanks.” She released the catch and placed it around Sandra’s neck and closed the catch. She looked at her partner in the mirror.
“Thank you hun,” said Sandra and gave her a light kiss on the lips.
They both smiled and left continuing towards the gallery. As they passed one of the food vendors on site, Sandra suggested, “Food, I’m hungry.”
“Same here,” she said as her stomach made grumbling sound.
They both stopped and joined the back of the queue. When they got to the front the Skate-park Stage had just start to play and the voice from the singer was high pitched screems rather than actual words or lyrics. Sandra’s arm slipped through hers and the pair passed the marquee. Stood near the back was the stage’s steward, they nodded at him.
He looked back and made the sign of ‘Arh’ to the music and singing. They approached the Gallery and saw Hinita and her two dogs sat on the ground. Sat on a Rudeashean Drum was a tall gent, he was very quietly playing a beat. She looked at him play and realized, ‘I need to play again.’
Hinita stood when she saw the three and walked towards them saying when she was close enough, “What the hell happened earlier?”
“We had an incedent at Gate Two, the power and sound being killed were as a precaution. It’s back though,” she replied.
“Yeah I know. I saw how you looked at James, do you play Nibs?”
“I did a couple of years ago.” She smiled at her saying, “Any sessions tomorrow I could join in on?”
“Yeah James is planning a couple of workshops tomorrow afternoon evening.”
“I’ll be here,” she said. The four then walked into the actual Gallery and browsed the exhibits.

*****

A while later after all the revealers had been cleared from the site, Sandra and her were walking back to the crew area when Sandra stopped and looked out-side the fencing. Sandra said, “Hun look at the person sat there.” She pointed at him.
She looked over and saw the gent sitting there. “I wonder if that’s Adrian, from what you said earlier today I think he could be.”
“I’m surprised he’s sat there and not someplace warm.”
“Some people need space after what happened tonight. We can’t know what was going through his mind during the take down. I can guess but that’s from someone trained in combat.”
The three started to walk again and she said, “I hope he’s going to be alright out there.”
“I would have thought so. I hope he’s got someplace to go as I don’t think he’s going to be coming in here.”
She looked her as if to ask ‘why?’
“Melanine and Griffit.” her face was ‘You should know hun’.
“Oh, yeah I forgot this has been such a great night I forgot that this isn’t run by the Gangrels. You’ll be surprised at how many big events we don’t get to this is my first true festival.”

The three walked back into the crew area and they smiled at everyone who was sat around the fire.
Malla walked in just behind the pair saying as she passed them, “People of the festival we made this evening even with the problems, over three thousand decks which means tomorrow and Sumdar’s taking are profit for next year.”
Everyone around the fire chorused, “Yeah.” Everyone looked very happy at the news.

Chapter 23 — Festival Savraday

Nibs lay in the tent, beside her was Sandra, who like her, had loved the Frodar evening.
“If today is anything like yesterday, then it will be very good,” she said.
“Yeah,” responded Sandra.
She sat up as the front of the tent rustled. “Who is it?”
“Joanna, I’ve got your washing in a bag, I’ll leave it outside the tent.”
“Ok Jo, thanks,” called Sandra.
She grabbed one of the crew tops and slipped it over her head, afterwards she opened the door and brought the bag in. She closed the front and sorted the clean clothes into two piles. She took one of her three clean bras and pants sets and put them on, these were joined by the clean trousers and a clean crew top.
Sandra soon joined her in getting dressed and the pair exited the tent with Daraus on his lead. Damieel handed them both a coffee as they walked towards the fire pit.
Tina was sat looking very contented at things and how the last few weeks had worked out. “Hi you two, have a good evening last night?”
“Great thanks.”
“I wonder what today will bring?” responded Sandra.
“Yeah true,” responded Malla from the kitchen area.
After she had sat down, she asked, “What is the time?”
“07:35,” replied Malla, “I’ve not been to bed yet and I won’t go to bed until effectively Moroth when I’m home and had a bath. I’ll be back Torbar to help break the festival.” She walked out and sat around the still going fire. “I have to admit, this is the first year I’ve been to when we’ve not had to relight the fire at least once. You lot keep some strange hours though. I noticed Sandra sleeping yesterday and you doze as well Nibs.”
“It’s something mum and dad taught both me and Paul when we were little.”
She saw Paul and Gary walk back in from a patrol of the site and Paul placed his hands on Sandra’s shoulders and looked loving at his sister.

Having completed their latest circuit of the site Paul and Gary both walked back into the Crew area and saw Tina, Nibs, and Sandra had all woken.
Joanna then left the toilet and headed for the Crew area.
Paul walked so he was behind his twin sister and looked down at her. She looked up at him and smiled. ‘The only way this could be better is having mum and dad alive,’ he thought. He then looked at his sister’s partner and she was also smiling looking into the fire.
He moved and took the seat beside Sandra and smiled as Damieel walked out of the kitchen carrying a tray with some cups on.
Joanna also sat down and said, “This has been the best festival ever. I’ve never stewarded a festival which has the vibe this one does.”
“What is the vibe?” asked Malla as she walked out from the kitchen carrying a couple of cups. She passed one to Nibs, who nodded ‘thanks’.
“It’s difficult to describe, but I’m feeling as if I am safe and a lot of the punters are enjoying it more this year as well.”
“I’ve had comments in the information tent about the new security system in place. A few people have asked who found the people in black, they are curtious, helpful and very professional. All I do is smile and say, ‘I know, we have to thank one of the past members for the help’.” Malla then took a sip from her cup and asked, “Up until this week I’ve never heard the name Gangrel Street gang, and yet some one said you guys have 1100 plus members, how come?”
Gary was the first to reply, “The simplest reason is that we don’t advertise as other gangs do other than we are all members of the Gith culture. Most of our members come from either families of previous members or the brother or sisters of current members, we also take members from those disadvantaged by society.”
Joanna looked at Gary with a face that asked ‘what’. She asked, “Disadvantaged by society?”

“Yes Joanna,” Sandra replied. “My partner Nibs arrived at the school most of the Vixens attended ten months ago and became the other major street gang at the school favourite target. Rules of the school meant we were unable to intervene as they were also bullying a few other members of the student population, but none to the level of Nibs’ suffering. At that point we only knew her male side. She may have walked out with top marks but that’s due to intelligence and strength of character, but by being bullied she is disadvantaged by the school culture.” She took a mouthful and continued, “As is our way I asked everyone what they thought about us inviting Nibs to join us. Everyone had no problem and so I broke into his place and looked at the person Nibs is, it’s now that I find out she’s is Trans and it’s then I understand the depression she seems to be suffering from.”
She felt the hand of her partner squeeze her hand in an affectionate manner.
“Come the end of exams party to which we invited both Nibs and Tom, one of the other favourite targets, and it’s then we ask her to join the Bitch Vixens, she accepts and here we are now.”
After she had finished Paul said, “When we get home we are planning on asking another member disadvantage by her school, from across the street to us. She lost her mum a couple of years ago, dad is temp worker and some days Bill, her brother, stays off school to look after Damien and any of the other two young ones who is ill. We know she is being bullied as she only joined the school a couple of years ago, and before she was attending Rotork Academy, but due to her mum’s disappearance she had to transfer. She was the PA to the President of the then Rotork and now president of Naban. We’ve met her old school friends from the Rotork Academy, a bunch of stuck up toffs a few weren’t but that was to do with where their families and the culture they grew up in. I know she’s been suffering from depression which I think has gotten to the point where she’s thought about sucide. That would devastate the family.” Paul took mouthful of his drink.
“That is something we as Gangrels do our best to avoid and attempt to stop, before it hits the suffers,” she said. “I like Amy a lot and I know it would devastate me if something bad was to happen. I would start a hunt and go after the reason for it, and in this case it’s a one Abilgail Miller and her friends. A Gangrel on the war path is best avoided.”

*****

After Nibs and Sandra’s first shift of the day, the pair left the crew area after the shift changed and were caught up by Abs and Tina.
Tina asked, “Where you two going?”
“To play some Rudeashean drums,” she replied smiling at the pair.
“You going to join us?” asked Sandra.
“Yeah, why not,” replied Abs.
A few minutes later they arrived at the Gallery and found James and the others just getting ready.
Hinita walked around the back of the small group setting up and asked, looking very happy that Nibs and Sandra had been able to make it. “You going to join us today?”
“Yes I am,” she replied and walked to where a pile of drums were stood. She picked one up and played the three main beat types. She made the face which said, ‘this is well strung’.
She joined the others whilst a few people twirled Poi and other items across the main festival goer’s route-way. One of the small group was twirling a 5ft staff.
After no more than five minutes a few more people had joined the group drumming and James started the workshop. She listened to what James was telling those who had never played before. He started the first beat and after a few minutes the group were playing the base beat and James played the over beats and passed it to Hinita who after a short while passed to her.
Everything Cubaddar had taught her and all the feelings she had felt when she played, returned. She played the over beat for a good thirty seconds then passed it back to James. After a short while he brought the beat to a finish and started a second beat which she knew and matched James beat for beat, response for counter response.
After he had brought that beat to a close he asked, “You know of any beats?”
“Yeah, except I don’t know how easy they will be for everyone as I was taught them by native Rudeashean.”
“Who cares, start slow and we’ll try and pick them up.”
“Ok,” she replied and smiled as she played the first base note and then played the main beat slowly for a good six runs and then when she could see everyone had it she started to get faster. James and Wayne took over playing the backing beat and let her fly.

*****

Inside the Gallery a tall dark skinned gent heard the work shop start and after a couple of beats had finished he heard a traditional beat of the eastern tribe, his tribe. This person knew the beat well, he walked out and saw the drummers playing and behind then were a group of people twirling Poi and other items in time with the beats.
He walked to the end of the semi-circle grabbing himself a chair as he went. Just as he sat down he unslung his drum, taking it from its bag. As the female opposite him hit a response and counter-response section of the beat, James and the others played the counter response they had been taught, except he played the traditional counter-response, the one other tribes and families used to signal they had heard the message.
He looked at each person seeing the experienced ones, he came to rest on the last person in the line, she was the leader of the circle for this beat and passed the lead to him for a while. He played and the intensity of the playing rose to a whole new level. After a good minute he passed it back to her and she brought it to a halt. After it was finished all of the group and others standing around listening clapped the beat and the two leaders.
One of the experienced players said, “That was incredible. You know any good beats that you want to teach us mate?”
“Yeah I have a few,” he said and started to slowly play a beat.

*****

Nibs looked at the new arrival and heard the beat start. She instantly knew the beat as one of the Rudeashean beats she had learnt during her and Cubbadar’s visits to his home tribe. As he played she saw in him the style of the player, a style she had seen only Cubbadar use. She smiled inwardly as one of her friends from her travels was sat opposite her, playing with her without knowing who was opposite him.
After the beat was finished she stood up and walked around the back of the group. She placed the drum where the spares had been and knelt down beside him and asked him in fluent Rudeashean, “Did you know a gent who went by the name Nick Calton?”
“I did know a gent by that name a very fine player and student.”
“Bloody hell, it is, Cubbe, I’m the new and improved Nick or as I am called now, Nibs.”
His eyes opened in surprise and stopped playing the next beat which James had started. “Where the hell is your drum.” He didn’t look very happy at the fact.
“I gave it to Jarrina when I left, I hope she still has it?”
“She does and she still plays her heart out on it. She never said where she got it from.”
She smiled as she remembered Jarrina, she came to the group without a drum and some sessions she wasn’t able to play as all the spares had been taken by other players, but when she did play she was good.
“She wouldn’t have known it was me unless she could recognize the patterns on it, I left it the day of departure at 05:00BN.”
Cubbadar smiled at the present Nick had given a fellow drummer, the drum he had made him, “Why leave it behind?”
“Come and meet some very special people, I know one will very definitely want to meet you.”
Cubbadar stood up and one of the people watching asked him, after some else had picked up the last spare drum, “Can I?” and she indicated she wanted to play.
“Yeah,” replied Cubbadar and handed his drum to her. she sat in the seat he had vacated.
As the pair moved off, she replied, “When I left I never thought I would have the chance to play again and I haven’t until now been in a position to play. Why carry something that you are never going to use again?”
“Yeah, true. You would have had weight issues with moving, and you didn’t move to Suraban from Rudeash?”
She looked over to where Sandra was sitting and saw Daraus laying beside her, he looked asleep. “No, I went to South Aticca and from there to Ne-U-Bar. Then to here and the hell that was the high school I was sent to, but through that I meet my life partners Sandra and Daraus.” She then looked around for Tina and Abs who were a short distance away practicing and learning how to twirl Poi.
When the pair had arrived at where Sandra was sitting she said, “Hun, I want you to meet someone from my past, the guy who taught me how to play Rudeashean Drums and loads of other useful things.” Cubbadar and she sat down and as the sun was strong and quite warm she took out the shades. She said, “Cubbadar meet my partners Sandra and Daraus.”
“Good afternoon miss,” responded Cubbadar. “You’ve lost none of your playing skills.”
“That is a compliment coming from you Cubbadar. How is the rest of the circle?”
Cubbadar said in reply after thinking about it, “The circle is still going strong, my sister says she still thinks of you as one of the nicest foreigners she has known. I also bring a message from the Language 101 teacher you destroyed from the stories I’ve heard. She apologises to you and the class the following week, she took a few days off to recover.”
She remembered some of the swear terms she had used and smiled. “Would you mind taking a message back and you need to take my phone number and email, and I need yours.”
“Damn true,” said Cubbadar as Abs and Tina walked over each carrying a pair of poi.
“Cubbadar meet Tina and Abs, two of the many new friends I have here in Suraban.”
“Hi, Cubbadar. Very interesting name,” asked Abs as she and Tina sat down.
“It’s a traditional Tribal name. I have standard name as well, but I like Cubbadar.”
After fifteen minutes of catching up, Cubbadar, Sandra and her all got up and went back to the circle. Where they started to play.

*****

06:00AN
Nibs and Sandra were stood watching a local rock band play to the audience in the Stage 1 Marquee. The lead gui-dram player was making it sing notes she had only heard from some of her un-heard music collection. She looked around the listeners and saw a female stood near one of the main marquee support poles. She took a closer look at the person and saw tell-tale things that marked people as Trans.
“Stay here hun, I need to check something.” She moved away and walked towards the woman, who was almost dancing to the music. She stood beside her and looked at the person and recognized from her pictures on Trans-Youth as Chloe-Yinst. “Chloe-Yinst?” she asked inquiringly.
Chloe turned and looked at her and went to say something, she then looked away and looked back saying, “Nicki?”
“Yes, I was once called that, I now go by the name Nibola Calton or Nibs to my friends. Come and join me and my partners.” She grabbed her hand and led Chloe to where Sandra was standing smiling at the two.
“Good evening young lady,” said Sandra when they had arrived.
“Hun meet Chloe from Trans-Youth. Chloe meet Sandra and Daraus.”
“Hi,” responded Chloe. “How come? On your profile you said you were trapped by family.”
“That’s my old one, I updated it just under three weeks ago, and I put up a couple of new pictures, one of the new me, and a second of Sandra and me. Hun we need to get a new one of all three of us.” She indicated she meant Daraus as well.
“I’ve been kind of busy, looking after mum and my younger brother. They are thankfully away for a few days which has given me the break I needed. Seeing your post about here gave me the incentive to come.”
“And it’s good that you did, the more trans people who come out the better it is for everyone,” said Sandra.
Tina, Abs and Cubbadar walked into the tent carrying a couple of trays of burgers and drinks.
“I think outside and enjoy the sun,” suggested Abs.
“Yeah, why not,” she said.
The group walked out and found a spot where they could see the stage. “Guys meet Chloe a friend from Trans-Youth. Chloe meet Tina a fellow trans woman, Abs her partner and Cubbadar a friend of mine from Rudeash.”
“The pleasure is all mine, miss,” responded Cubbadar.
This made Chloe blush a deep crimson and look away in embarrassment.
“Don’t be embarrassed hun,” said Tina, “Cubbadar put into words what I know I was thinking and I’m certain Abs was thinking similar.”
“May I say from a genetic woman’s perspective you look good in that dress, it suits you,” said Abs.
“Not even my trans friends say things like that,” responded Chloe and she blushed again.
“Hun, I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for these people. You being here is excellent before I went full time I thought I would never meet the people I chat to. Since coming out, I’ve met Tracy, Robert and Fiona a few weeks ago, at Dark Zone Youth Centre.”
“Yeah I know those guys, they said they would try and make this evening and tomorrow,” replied Chloe smiling and looking very happy.
“Food,” said Abs and handed covered warm boxes to Sandra and her. Cubbadar then passed around the drinks
“It will be good to see them again,” said Tina.
“Yeah that’s true,” she said and she then took a mouthful as a gent walked out of the tent looking for someone and walked towards the group.
“Chloe, you said you wouldn’t move.” Haben-pride sat down beside Chloe and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Sorry, I met a friend from the Young Trans site. Nibs meet Haben-pride.”
She looked at him and smiled, “We’ve already met.”
“How?” enquired Chloe expecting an answer.
“Remember I volunteer as a steward and crew for the festival,” replied Haben-pride.
“Yeah I’ve busy until today.”
“Meet four members of the festival security team.”
Chloe stared in shock at Haben-pride and slowly turned and stared at Nibs. “I never took you for being security personal.”
All four girls smiled at Chloe. “You need to read mine and Tina’s profiles, we all are members of the Gangrel Street Gang. I joined when I went full time and haven’t looked back since.”
“I definitely would have never taken you for even thinking about street gangs or anything to do with the street culture Nibs. You never struck me as being that way inclined.”
“The time when you and me chatted Chloe, a lot of it was the depression talking. I’m a full Street Ghost and have been for almost seven months, I know people like Damien Ruthouse and Tiamus.”
Now it was Haben-pride turn to stare at Nibs. “How?” he asked. “Those two are names at the top of their game. I’m listed as an associate and I will remain one until I am ready to become a full. John has already said he is willing to be my sponsor.”
She then told Haben-pride and Chloe how she met Damien and Tiamus.
At the end of the tale she said, “We have a security shift to get ready for.”
“True and I have a stewarding shift to get ready for.” Everyone got up and looked at Chloe sat on the grass. Haben-pride said to her, “You coming hun?”
Chloe looked up at everyone and said, “Oh sorry.” She then stood up and grabbed Haben-pride’s hand and the group walked back around Stage 1 to the Crew area and their shifts.

*****

After the steward and security briefing for the last shift finished Haben-pride, Chloe, Vartoughi-rose Sandra and Nibs all walked out as a roving team. Vartoughi-rose was six foot three inches tall and towered over the rest of the group. She came from Hipotite and her Basic was not brilliant, but she knew Deebinian pretty well. Chloe and Haben-pride were hand in hand as was Sandra and her. Stage 1 was undergoing a band change and so was playing random music tracks from a DD player.
Tim was standing in the entrance to Beer Tent 1 in his left hand was a plastic glass of what ever beer the bar was selling and a burger was in the other. He smiled and nodded at the group as they walked past. Sandra and she both nodded a reply, their faces were ones of joy and happiness.
She said, “I don’t know what could be better, I’m here with my partners and a friend from the one place that has kept me sane over the past ten months the last three weeks I’m not including and have the possibility of meeting more.”
“Not much,” said Chloe. “I’m trying to work out what has changed in you, you were always a good ear in the room, a person a lot of us turned to for someone to shout and rant at. The advice you gave, gave a lot of us a boost especially in my case and a kick up the arse in Tracy’s case.”
She looked questionally at Chloe.
“What you don’t know?”
“No, this is the first I’ve heard of me giving Tracy a kick.”
“Yeah, not actually in the chat room, when you met her at Dark Zone. If she gets here tonight I think you’re see what I mean.”
Nibs broke away from Sandra and walked towards the Gallery. James sitting out side tensioning a drum. “James.”
James looked up and replied, “Yes Nibs.”
“Your choice, pick me two drums and set them aside I’ll pay for them tomorrow after I’ve been to a cash point.”
“Ok.” James smiled. “Bring me 20decks for each, and play with me Wayne and a couple of others when the fire show is on.”
“Done, I’ll make sure Cubbadar is also there.”
James smiled at her statement.
“I’ll pick them up later, I want them for tonight in the crew area.”
“Yeah, I’m going to be there as well.”
She left James and caught the group up as they passed the Skate board stage and the Huntress cover band that was playing.
As they approached Gate 4 Ruth who was that Gate’s security saw them and smiled. She walked over to them and said quietly to her, “I know I saw Adrian earlier today, and I swear he left with a couple of people dressed in similar fashions.”
“Thanks,” she replied. “Sandra and I saw him last night after the festival closed sat on one of the mounds and we know he slept there last night.”
“Well I hope he’s ok now.”
She smiled at her saying, “If he did then I think he will be safe and brought back to the straight and narrow.”
The group moved on from the gate and entered Traders Zone 2. In the large arena that separated Trader Zone 1 from Zone 2 was a judging workshop. They saw Tina and Abs watching, they both had wrapped the pair of poi around their waists and tucking the ends into the trousers. Most of the stalls were open and they seemed to be doing a good trade as most had quite a few people in them.
“Remind me hun, I want one of the skirts from here as a memory reminder.”
“I thought you had an eidetic memory.”
“For conversations, involving me hun. I remember everything else in the same way as everyone else.”
Sandra’s face looked as if she was going to say something but she said nothing. As they walked through the Zone they came upon the second Beer tent and the entry to the Chill Out Zone. People were streaming through the massive archway coming in from Gate 3, the second main gate. Walking down the path that had been made by the people walked Fiona, Robert, Alli and a couple of new faces.
She tapped Chloe on the shoulder and pointed to them. She bounced up and down really happy they had made it and she walked towards them.
One of the two security men working the beer tent walked over and said, “Nice take down last night.”
“Thanks, not to excessive I hope.”
“No the boss says thanks as well, he’s been having trouble from the gang and I think the take down removed the head of the gang,”
Nibs smiled at the news, and thought ‘I need to contact Peter about what happened to the guys they took away.’
Chloe walked back with the group of five and then she realized one of the two new faces was Tracy, she was now very Gith as was Alli in appearance. Fiona was wearing her usual style of clothing mini skirts, revealing top and a pair of low heeled court shoes her hair was in a pair of bunches and her make up was not to heavy, but you knew she was after something else. Robert was wearing a pair of jeans, a baggy t-shirt, and a pair of walking boots. Alli and Tracy were Giths, plain and simple, they both were wearing dark green long flowing skirts, and a top that hinted at what was below. The last girl was in general everyday wear of a pair of feminine light weights and a top, her shoes were a pair of flats.
“Nibs,” said Alli happy to see her friend. “This is a surprise I thought you lived over South Central?”
“Yeah I do, but Tina comes from this area and her mum and dad use to volunteer here. We saw an advert that reminded her about it. Friends allow me to introduce my life partners Sandra and Daraus.”
Sandra walked over and said, “Hi friends.”
“Hun, meet Tracy, her partner Alli, Robert and Fiona and a new person?”
“Yes, meet Jackie, this is her first time out,” said Alli.
“Hun, if you want to stay and chat, I can wander this area and meet you back here, Abs and Tina aren’t too far away as her come Dan and Leia.”
She looked at the route Tina and Abs were walking and saw Leia and Dan both heading towards the chill out zone. From behind then appeared Abs and then she saw Tina leaving one of the trader stalls. “Oh, yes, I can see them now. Ok, chat to you in a bit then.”
Tracy opened her eyes in happiness at the news that Tina was also near by.
“Yes, very nice Tracy,” she said looking Tracy up and down.
“Thank you,” replied Tracy. “Meeting you and Tina that evening and then chatting to Tybias, Simon and Sarah told me where I should be and I now live as a member of the local Gith community.”
She smiled at the news as clockwise security patrol walked up. Tina saw the group, “Hello, I never expected to see you lot here.”
“Snap,” responded Tracy.
“No Chloe lives in the area and told the room one evening about it. Alli and Robert saw some adverts and here we are.”
“Friends, meet Abs my partner.”
“Hi Abs,” said Fiona.
She saw Jackie at the back trying not be noticed and she said, “Don’t try and hide Jackie, Tina, Abs, meet Jackie this is her first time out.”
“That is good to hear,” responded Tina as she looked at Jackie stood just behind Robert, who moved aside to reveal Jackie who was blushing a crimson.
“Young lady, may I say you look lovely in that,” said Abs.
“Thank you,” came Jackie’s quiet reply.
“Just because I have good hearing doesn’t mean people can talk quietly around me,” responded Abs smiling. “Don’t be frightened, Tina and, I’m not sure with you Nibs, suffered the same nerves the first time out. Does your mum and dad know about you?”
“No, I had to change at Roberts before coming here,” replied Jackie as Sandra, Haben-pride and Vartoughi-rose returned to the arch-way.
Haben-pride walked around the group and grabbed Chloe around the waist and smiled at her friends. He then gave her a kiss on the cheek.
“Very nice,” responded Fiona to the kiss.
“Lucky you Chloe,” said Tracy.
“Thanks guys,” said Chloe. She then gave Haden-pride a kiss in reply.
“We will see you around, but I think we have some patrolling to do,” she said and the group departed the area.

As the group departed Sandra whispered in Jackie’s ear, “You look beautiful, if you get any trouble from the people here, find the nearest person wearing a high-viz and get them to contact Sandra or Nibs.”
She saw Jackie smile as she left arm in arm with Nibs.

*****

11:30AN
Stood out side the Stage 1 marquee were Nibs, Sandra and Daraus, Haden-Pride, Vartoughi-rose, Frank, Elle and Jenni were moving the festival goers out of the marquee. Celia had already buzzed the pair with her fluffy duster. This made Nibs quietly chuckle as it just seen natural that this person with a fluffy duster would just come up to you and give you a dusting almost.
Stood to the side of the marquee was a couple of gents a little worse the wear for alcohol consumption and Frank asked them move towards the exit. Nibs focused in on the conversation between the three.
“Would you please move towards the exit, there’s going to be no more music tonight mates time to go home.”
“There’s always going to be more music if we say so,” responded one, then saying, “Come on where’s the next band.”
“There’s no more bands mate, you have to leave the site,” said Frank and one tried to move around him towards the stage, where the Kim and Liam was finishing removing the last bands equipment.
Nibs moved in one motion towards Frank and was soon standing beside him blocking one of the pair whilst the other was blocked by Frank. “Would the gents please like to move towards the exit, it’s time for you two to go home and go to sleep I think. We have more music and events happening tomorrow.”
The gent who was in front of her swung his fist at her head. She saw the attack and moved her head out of the way. “Sir with the amount of alcohol you have consumed this evening and I’m had none all weekend, it wouldn’t be much of a fight and you would ‘be’ heading for the exit.”
The pair then slowly started to move towards the main gate, a short while later they bumped into some friends and got their second wind. The group headed for the main gate. She then pulled back and had Sandra and Daraus join her. Haden-pride also pulled back as there were quite a few stewards now moving the last remnants towards the exits. Stood at the main gate was Gary and Paul when the last of the people had left they closed and secured the gate.
They joined Nibs, Sandra, Daraus and Haden as they walked back towards the crew area.
“Today has been brilliant,” said Gary, “I’ve never enjoyed myself so much.”
“I know, man the music alone was more than I expected. I wish I had known about festivals a few years ago,” said Paul.
They walked back in and found Chloe, with Malla and a few other crew and stewards sat around the fire dish, enjoying the after day chill.

12:00AN
Chloe said to her, “Thank you for being you.”
“Anytime hun,” she replied. “After we got back the first time I went and found them watching James at the Gallery. I know Hinita was chatting to Jackie.”
“That’s good to hear,” she said and took a sip from the cup of Chai she was holding. The heat from the cup and the fire was warming her nicely.
“One thing I do know, they are all coming back tomorrow.”
She smiled at the news and the fact she was sitting here with friends both new and old in the form of Cubbadar. “Hun, where’s Cubbadar?”
“I think I saw him in the Gallery chatting to James and Wayne.”
Cubbadar along with James and Hinita walked back in, both Ruth and Dan had Gui-drams beside them. Cubbadar sat beside Chloe and asked, “How have you found today miss?”
“I have loved this evening. I’ve meet so many nice people, Haden-pride had said the festival was an excellent place to make new friends. He said they accept all as people not societal norms. Then to meet Nibs a friend and I may say confidant in my case was too good to be true. The traders say the female of things rather than the male which I may say is the way I see myself some days, but that’s due to my skills with make-up.”
“Now that is something I think people here and I would say Fiona would be more than willing to help you correct.”
Sandra walked back from the toilet and sat beside her.
She asked Sandra, “How much make-up have we got here hun?”
“A bit, why?”
“Tomorrow is ‘Ladies Day’ and Chloe has admitted she’s not that good at make-up.”
“Yes I see,” replied Sandra. “I think the canvas that is Chloe will look her best tomorrow, you staying on site tonight hun?”
“No,” replied Chloe.
“Get here as early as you can as a few of us are going to be wearing the same traditional Gangrel make-up.”

Chapter 24

Sumdar 08:00BN
Sat around the fire was Nibs, Malla, Celia and Ruth. Sandra, Daraus and Tina had taken the 07:30 patrol. They had probably stopped to chat as some of the cafés and eateries had arrived in the main car-park and had carried supplies across the field. The pair walked back into the crew area carrying a couple of large bags of rolls.
“A present from the Bower Café,” said Tina.
“That’s good of them,” Nibs said and she lent forward and stirred the fire back into life. She stood up and walked to the pile of wood beside the kitchen. The pile was not that big and could do with restocking. She bent down and picked up a couple of timber blocks and a couple of planks. She returned to her seat placing the planks over the few flames and the blocks beside the fire pit. “We need to restock the wood pile today.”
“Do that when Dan gets up,” said Malla.
Into the Crew area walked a happy Chloe and Haden-pride followed her in. “Good morning campers and friends.”
“Good morning Chloe,” she replied and Daraus walked in from playing with Himms and Maelstrum as they came in ahead of Hinita and Brain, both of them had slept in the Gallery as security for the exhibits.
“Good morning,” said Hinita as she sat down. “Creator do I hate the early mornings.”
“It was quite nice this morning seeing the sun come up,” said Sandra.
“I don’t mind seeing the sun up, but I then go to bed,” replied Hinita.
“Arh, ok,” said Sandra then she picked up the full kettle and hung it on the hook over the fire.

*****

10:15BN
Celia and Nibs returned to the main car-park after collecting Celia van’s worth of wood from a local building site, Dan was a steel fabricator at. After Celia had parked up close to the gate in, she climbed out and opened the side door. She grabbed a couple of the large pallets and after she had opened the harris fencing she carried them to the crew area and dropped them against then outside fence.
She turned around and saw Sandra was working on Chloe’s make-up for Ladies Day. As she had walked in she had seen a couple of the crew wearing long dresses that if they had tits looked good on them.
Cubbadar walked in wearing his traditional tribal clothes and over his shoulder was his drum. “Good morning Nibs,” said Cubbadar and then, “Good morning Malla, Sandra, Chloe.”
“Morning Cubbadar,” said Malla as she walked out of the kitchen. “Oh, your back, that was quick.”
“Yeah the wood was already piled and prepared.”
“Dan’s work is good for that,” said Celia as she carried an armful of off cut shoring and similar.
Paul and Gary both walked in and Gary headed for his tent and grabbed his head band.
“I’ll say this,” said Paul, “some of the outfits and dresses are fun and very imaginative.”
“From what I have seen I know,” she said as she headed out of the crew area. She was hoping the stall where she wanted to buy her reminder dress from was open.
A few minutes later she saw the front up and the owner was placing racks and clothes rails outside. “Good morning,” she said as she approached and saw the skirt she wanted. Just behind it was the exact opposite of the one she wanted.
The owner’s wife came out from a caravan at the back of the stall and walked to where she was standing looking at the two skirts. “Can I help?”
“Yes. No, I’ll take both thanks.”
The owner walked back in and said, “Give us thirty for the pair and I’ll throw in a couple of tops for an extra ten.”
“Done. Now to choose the right tops.”
“That is easy,” said the wife and she led her to a rack where similar tops to the skirts were hung up. “Here you go, the prefect two, and if this sun holds we are going to be in for a good afternoon and evening.”
“I hope so, it looks like the stalls and crew are getting into the mood for ‘Ladies Day’.” She took out forty decks and handed it to her and left carrying the two skirts and two tops.
As she walked back she saw James and Cubbadar sat outside the Gallery chatting and enjoying the sun. She headed for the pair and said, “Morning James.” She took out her wallet taking forty decks out and handing that to James.
James took the money and smiled asking, “You going to join the workshops this afternoon?”
“I will if I can. We are planning on entering Daraus in the dog show and team two have the security shift this afternoon.”
“Arh, ok, we hope to see then,” said James.
As she turned and walked away James asked Cubbadar, “Are you in a position to have a visitor after the summer is over. I’m planning on touring both Afrradal and Olliath to learn some new beats.”
She returned to the crew area and saw Chloe was sat around the fire pit in a long, very pretty skirt and top that you could see cleavage, but it was subtle. She took a good look the her chest and realised they were forms and not natural. The make-up Chloe was wearing was subtle and without knowing she was trans it would be difficult to tell. Sandra had done an excellent job of doing her make-up. She saw Sandra backing out of the tent. “Hun I have a surprise for you.”
Sandra’s eyes lit up and she stood waiting for her surprise.
She took out of the bag the skirt and top combination. She looked at it and said. “That’s yours isn’t it?”
“No, they had the exact opposite skirt behind the one I wanted, which is also in the bag with a similar top.”
“Thank you hunny,” said Sandra looking very happy. “We’ve done Chloe’s make-up for the day, your next hun.”
“Right then shall we.” She followed Sandra after taking her small make-up bag from the inner tent. “You did a good on Chloe’s make-up. If you didn’t know she was trans I would have said she was a real girl.”
“Thank Tina for the base, I hate doing that bit. I excel at the finishing touches, I’m doing simple Gangrel make-up today for the two of us. Abs and Tina I think are doing the same.”
After thirty minutes sitting in the chair in front of three small mirrors she was finished. Sandra and her then disappeared and changed into the festival skirts and tops. She came out first and walked to the seat beside Chloe. “That is a nice skirt and top,” she said.
“Thanks Nibs,” replied Chloe looking very happy, “Big Malla has already committed on it too and you look very festival in that.”
“Thank you, I feel in a festival mood,” she said.
Sandra soon exited the tent and did the front up, she joined her and Chloe around the fire.
Big Malla came out of the kitchen area carrying a tray on which were four mugs all of them steaming with freshly made hot Chai. She passed each a cup and the sat down as well.
“Where’s Daraus?” she asked Sandra.
“Tina, Abs, Willoo, and Katterina took him for a walk, hopefully he will be good for the dog show.”
“We can but hope,” she said and took a sip from the cup. She smiled when the sweet spices and flavours of Big Malla’s Chai slipped down her throat. “Malla I need your receipt, I love this Chai.”
Malla smiled in reply saying, “Ok, on one condition you lot come next year and each year after that or provide us with as good a security setup.”
“The best answer we can give is we’ll try. I never got the figures for yesterday’s takings?”
“Ask Vee, I’ve not even been told them either, but from her face as she left to go home with the evening’s takings, was very much one of happiness.”
“And that happiness is cause we took yesterday over 15,000 decks, that has paid for next year.”
Malla smiled a big smile, “At last we are self sufficient and today’s money is profit to be ploughed into the local community.”
Vee walked to the fire pit and sat down, happily smiling at the news. “The money aside, this year has had a different vibe to the festival. Everyone is having a lot more fun.”
“Don’t know, I’ve had comments from the festival goers and they have said they feel safer this year than they have over the past few years. To be honest it’s you guys that have had that effect, some have asked you who guys are and if they can employ you to security their events.”
Sandra put her cup on the ground and said, “Damn I wish we had known, we could have put together a display of things, and probably brought in a couple of people to be a front end for us.” After a few seconds of thinking Sandra said, “Can you remember who asked you?”
“No,” replied Malla.
“Ok. Tell you what, I’ll give you commands number and get the people to ring then, it’s the best people to enquire off.”

*****

12:00BN
Team two and the steward shift that would be working with them were in the steward area being briefed by John and Nibs. At the end of the briefing John said, “Have fun out there and remember the security teams and people are there as a detraint to those who like to thief or blag.”
Sat in the stewards were Alli and Robert, as both were old enough to volunteer. Sat beside Alli was Tracy and Chloe was with Haden, Jackie and Fiona were stood at the back with Tina and Abs. Jackie was in a long straight velvet material dress, Tracy had lent it to her along with the top she was wearing as the outfit she had on yesterday evening was her only one, other than odd assortment of other clothes.
Jackie suddenly said, “Tina, I think mum and dad would be ok with me being Jackie, but I think they need to see more adult members rather than Tracy or Fiona.”
“No problem hun, either me or Nibs would be more than happy to.”
“Thanks, when Tracy and Alli persuaded me to come out they will tell you I was scared as hell about it, but Robert said he would be my chaperone.”
Tina smiled saying, “And now you’re here?”
“I love it, I’m still a little scared of talking to people, but I think that will go when I get more practice.”
“Tina, do you know who did Chloe’s make-up it’s excellent,” asked Jackie.
“Yes, me and Sandra,” she replied. She looked at the make-up Jackie had on now and she asked, “May I ask who did yours this morning?”
“Most of it I did, Tracy finished it off for me.”
Sandra and Nibs both walked over after the briefing was over smiling Alli and Robert were on roving patrol with Tina and Abs, Haden and Keeley would be with Nibs and Sandra. Vartoughi-rose hadn’t been able to get the time off her job at the local hypermarket to help on the day shifts.
“We have thirty minutes before the gates open, I think a last patrol before we open, you know you two will be the only security on patrol whilst the Dog Show is on.”
“Yes Nibs we do,” she said, “Sandra, when we get back from the first patrol have a go at Jackie’s make-up.”
Sandra looked at the make-up Jackie had on and nodded. “Yes, I think we can do something here.”
The group turned and walked out of the Steward’s Area and into the main area of the festival.
Sandra asked, “Which way?”
“If you don’t mind I think we’ll go that way,” said Abs. She was pointing towards the Gallery.
“No problem at all,” replied Nibs and then her group headed off in the direction of the Theatre.
Tina’s group turned and started to walk towards the Gallery.
“I have a question Tina, Abs. How would I go about joining the Gangrels?” asked Jackie
“The best way for those not disadvantage by society would be to find the nearest one to you and go and ask,” she replied.
As the group walked the traders were putting the finishing touches to their stalls the beer tent had been open for about thirty minutes. Even the staff behind the bar looked like they were getting into the spirit on things. The head bouncer was standing at the entrance and nodded hello at the group as they passed.
As the group moved away from the Beer Tent Alli said, “That bouncer is an arrogant son of a … I swear when he’s working the door he personally touch searches the older female teenagers through the door of the Club I and a lot of the local Gith community use, it’s also used by others.”
“In what way?” asked Abs looking concerned at what Alli was saying.
“I don’t know, but I swear he gets turned on as from about 13:00 onwards he always chatting to the girls he seemed to take special attention of, once I saw he almost have one guy thrown out because he was chatting to one pretty blond girl. I left very near the end of the night and she was sat at the far end of the bar, not even thinking of leaving. I found out outside she was the 15 side of 16, she looked 18, 19 in her short mini and all the rest of the slut look, no offence to Fiona, but that is the only way to describe her.”
“Sounds like someone the local Gangrels should be looking at. Do you think he knew her age?” asked Abs as James, Hinita, and Cubbadar were all sat outside the Gallery. Brain walked out and joined them in sitting outside, the sun was beating down, hot but not too hot, there was also a light breeze blowing which kept the heat and sun stroke victims down, as the previous day the first aiders had been run off their feet with people who had had to much sun.
“This has been the best weekend I’ve had. Meeting you guys, the traders, a couple have apologised to me when they have made a mistake. I think Robert or Alli have pulled them up on it.”
“That is good to here,” responded Abs, “We were very lucky in being Giths, and to society Giths are strange and so we were able to get away with it. I think it was three months.”
“No six months before I got rid of the facial hair, they Gangrels do care for their members. I’m under a Gender re-assignment specialist, but at the moment I’m leaving things as they are and when and if I do decide to have the op, it’s a four week wait and I’m under the knife.”
“That’s nice to hear,” said Fiona as the Skate Board stage was gearing up.
Stood in the entrance way was For-un who smiled at the group as they approached.
When they had approached she asked, “No problems last night?”
“No, just waiting on the first band to arrive and the Skaterz Display Team are ready to start the workshop and displays. So we’re pretty much set for the day.”
Jackie looked upset as they moved away. “What’s up hun?” she asked.
“I wish I had my trousers here, I use to blade and I know the Skaterz Display Team have a very good Blade Team. I think two of the world’s best Extreme Sportz Bladers come from the Skaterz Blade Team.”
“You every done it in competions?” asked Alli sounding interested.
Jackie replied, “No I was never that good, it was more a method of getting me around and keeping me fit.”
Kim walked over from EMU Gate 8 and smiled at them. “You wouldn’t mind waiting here whilst I do something?”
“No, it’s what we ate suppose to do,” said Alli.
Kim disappeared towards the toilet block.

*****

Nibs, Sandra, Haden, Keeley, Chloe and Fiona walked through the Traders Zone they approached the small craft zone.
The zone was small as only three craftsman had come to this years festival. One of the three was a leather worker who was sat out under his work awing working a strip of leather. The second was a traditional joiner and sat outside was a few of the items she had made. The third was a tailor a couple of manikins had her wears on.
She said, “I’ll catch you up I need to pick something up.”
“Ok, hun,” replied Sandra.
She walked to where the leather crafter was working, she smiled at him as he looked up and saw her approach. He stood up and turned towards a table alongside his live in van.
She stood on the edge of the awing and awaited his approach.
“Arh Miss, there you are,” said the gent, he picked up what she had come to collect and pay for.
She took out her wallet and took out the 50decks they had agreed on, on Frodar evening. She looked around the work area and saw the work he was working on and the tool that sat beside it. ‘That’s how they do it,’ she thought as the blunt ended piece of wood and damp leather, ‘Then edge the design.’
The gent walk over carrying her two short staves fitted to a pair of holders that would hang down beside her legs and be looped over the utility belt she wore.
She asked, “The edging tool you are using, where would I get one from?”
“Any good leather suppliers.”

*****

12:35BN
Sandra, Nibs, Haden, Keeley, Chloe and Fiona all walked back in just ahead of Tina’s group. Sandra waited for the other group and as they approached she had a good look at Jackie’s face and thought, ‘I think simple and bring out her eyes, they have a real piercing quality to them.’ As they walked in she guided Jackie to the seat set up in front of three mirrors.
Tina followed and said to the pair, “Back in a sec. Jackie, clean off all the make you have on now and begin to work a good amount of moisturizer in.”
“Ok,” replied Jackie as she sat down and Sandra passed the cleansing pads to her.
“I leave the initial stages of the work to Tina. That part I find hard, and she has an eye for where you will need covering,” she said as Tina, Fiona and Tracy walked back.
Fiona and Tracy both sat and watched the transformation.
Tina looked over the various make-up items and selected a light concealer and started to apply it after the moisturizer had been worked in.

Twenty minutes later Jackie sat around the fire with a new look to her face and the knowledge of how to do it herself. She turned and looked at Tracy getting sorted and she hoped learning from true experts.

After Nibs and Abs had arrived back at the crew area, Tracy was sat with Jackie smiling, laughing and chatting about something. She walked to the front of her tent and grabbed her cup. She turned and headed for the kitchen opening the urn of Chai. She saw it was about half full so she poured herself a drink. As she walked out Sandra indicated by making a T sign with her hands that she wanted a drink. She walked to the front of the tent taking Sandra’s mug and filling it with Chai. She took it to Sandra and saw Fiona’s new look. “Now that’s different.” As the very subdued but revealing of beauty make up brought out features that the look she had used covered before.
“Yeah, when Fiona removed the make-up she had on I saw a beauty in the face that is I would say only enhanced by what we have done,” said Sandra.
“Very much so hun, here, your chai,” she said.
“I think I need to look seriously at my wardrobe,” said Fiona, “I so feel like a classy woman, rather than the slut I thought I was,”
She turned around and returned to the fit pit joining the rest of the group. Tina walked over as it was all now up to Sandra’s skill in the finishing touches.
“Tina, how many belt holsters do we have in the van, the shoulder holster rig is beginning to chafe a bit?”
“I think we have ten, generic fabric ones and five leg holsters.”
She got up and started towards the vans. She stopped, turned and asked, “Which one?”
“White, lower left rear, I think. That’s where they are I remember seeing them as I went rummaging for the fat-blade,” said Abs
She walked to the white van and slide the side door open. She climbed in, turned heading down towards the back. She stopped and stouped opening the cupboard where the holsters were. She found the fabric holsters and magazine pouch. She took a set and closed the door, returning to her seat. She slipped her Delt 357 out and slotted it home into the belt holster. She fitted it just behind the left leg short stave holder.
“Hey, they look new Nibs?” asked Tina.
“Yeah, the leather-worker in the Craft Area made them for me yesterday, I’ve just picked them up,” she said.
“We’ve also got rid of a complete hide, he’s going to be around later to take a look at that we have,” said Abs.
“That’s a point, has Hinita seen you Abs about some skins for the drums?”
“No she’s not yet, I’ll catch her next patrol.”
Fiona stood up and joined the friends around the Fire Pit.
She said when Fiona had sat down, “Ladies and gents shall we go and spend the afternoon and evening enjoying the festival.”
“Yeah,” said some of the friends and they stood up whilst she put more wood onto the fire.

*****

02:15AN
Tina, Abs, Alli, Tracy, Robert, Fiona and Jackie were slowly walking the security route whilst Nibs and Sandra got ready for the dog show.
The group slowly walked up passed the Skate Board Stage and the Bladers Team were performing a display in the skate board park. Stood behind the fencing were a small crowd, at one end was a husband, wife and younger child. Jackie saw them and went very pale indeed and had to stop.
She turned looking quite concerned and saw Jackie’s face and asked, “What’s up?”
“My mum, dad, and brother is stood watching the Bladers.”
“Arh,” she responded. “Well it makes things a bit more interesting then. I don’t know what you look like in male mood but I doubt they will be able to recognize you, and if they do then we cross the bridge about them having a chat with us. I do think Nibs and Sandra would be better for it as she has known you a lot longer than I have.”
The group walked over to the railing and Tina and Abs stood between Jackie and her parents.
Jackie’s dad said to one of the guys leaning against the inside of the railings, “I wish Adam was here, he would love to watched you guys go.”
“Why, is he a bit of a blader then?”
“Yeah, he has a pair and uses them, but I don’t think he’s ever gone near a skateboard park.”
“Tell him, we run afternoon and evening sessions here at the weekends through out the summer and we are also organising a trip to the World Extreme Games Championships when it happens in Echo County.”
“Ok, thanks,” said Jackie’s dad.
Tina and Abs both turned and ushered the rest of the group away.
“Remember what your dad said, he saw you watching them,” said Abs.
“See he didn’t recognize you,” she said.

*****

02:00BN
Nibs and Sandra walked to where Stephanine was registering dogs and their owners for the Dog show.
Stephanine saw them join the back of the queue and when they arrived at her she said, “All-ready registered. I did that earlier.”
“Thanks, Abs and Tina are patrolling we’re on communications though,” Nibs said. Stephanine turned to one of her helpers and handed him the clipboard she was carrying and walked with the pair to an empty area where they all sat down.
“Thank you for coming,” said Stephanine. “I honestly don’t know what we would have done without you on Frodar.”
“Thanks. Thank Tina and her family more than the rest of us,” she said. “She suggested coming.”
After waiting for thirty minutes for the start of the Dog Show whilst the final entrants and the the obstacle course was set up inside the arena.

Daraus walked at Sandra’s heel into the arena the obstacles were setup ready for him. He looked around at the people watching and the human inside him thought, ‘Lets try and win this for my friends.’
Sandra led him to the see-saw and stood at the middle and said, “Come on Daraus. Come to me.”
He padded to her, sat down and looked up at her. Sandra bent down and picked him up. Sandra walked back to the start of the obstacle. Sandra said, “Up the slope Daraus. You know exactly what I want.”
‘Yeah of course I do Sandra, I’m having some fun and making a lot of people laugh.’
This time when Sandra had returned to the middle he walked to the exact middle and made the whole balance go horizontal with the floor. He just sat there looking up at her. Sandra moved towards the opposite end to the one he started on and he jumped down and followed her, to the laughter of the crowd, including Nibs.
Sandra looked at him and looked as if what had given up on the balance and they walked to the next obstacle which was a small jump except the area beneath the bar was open. He walked right underneath it and smiled at Sandra as if he had been a good boy.
“Daraus follow me.” Sandra walked round to the other side and stepped over the bar. He followed and again he walked right under the bar. “Not under, over, jump over the bar Daraus.”
The rest of the course was the same, he did the opposite to what Sandra wanted him to do.
At the end of the course he got 4.5 from one judge, 4.6 from a second and a 5 from the third judge, which gave a respectable score of 14.1.

After they had finished it and left the arena Nibs bent down and made a big fuss of Daraus which got the resultant lick in reply.

After all the other entrants had completed Daraus got third place behind a couple of incredibly funny dogs and owners, but he only lost first place by 0.3 so the partners weren’t too unhappy by that. Then the next competition was ‘Find your owner’, they hadn’t entered Daraus in that one, but seeing the dogs trying to find the owner was hilarious and had Sandra in stitches laughing. The last event was the Festival king and queen. Nibs just walked Daraus around the six judges; who after a bit of consultation wrote the scores down. At the end of the competition the scores were announced and Daraus was voted the king of the Festival just ahead of a brown-coloured long-haired lapdog. The queen was a short haired mountain rescue bitch.

*****

After the Security shift had finished Nibs, Sandra and Daraus were walking towards the theatre as it had a open comedy stage during the changeovers. Tina caught them up and asked, “Nibs, Sandra, would it be possible for you to have a chat with Jackie’s parents, they are here now in the acoustic tent.”
“Where’s Jackie?” she asked.
“She’s in the tent with Alli, Tracy and Fiona. Last I saw was Haden and Chloe were heading that way, Dan and Ruth are about to do a fifteen minute set.”
Sandra looked at her and the group changed direction heading for the Acoustic tent and the café located inside.
When they had arrived the previous three piece were just coming off as Sandra, Tina and her walked in they saw Dan and Ruth nod, and she returned the greeting. Jackie was sat opposite the café area. Tracy and Fiona, who was sat with a gent not much older than she was, except he was a Gith. The three walked towards them.
She knelt done beside Jackie and asked, “Which three are your mum, dad and brother?”
“That group.” She pointed to the group sat over in the lounge section.
“Shall we then?” she asked Jackie.
Alli and Tracy both said, “Good luck hun.”
Fiona then said, “If they don’t you always have us.”
The pair of them walked towards the family group Jackie knelt down and said to the three, “Dad do you remember standing watching the Bladers perform you said ‘I wish Adam was here, he would love to have watched you guys go’?”
“Yes,” replied Jackie’s dad, “I do remember.”
“Well Adam did as me.”
Jackie’s mum looked at her and said after a few seconds, “Is that really you Adam under there?”
“Yes it is mum,” replied Jackie. “I’ve wanted to tell you about the real me, but I’ve never had the friends or the confidence to do so. I asked that one of my friends and confidents from the young Trans net site I use to.”
“Provide you with moral support. Please have a seat, I’m David, this is Maurice and our son Oliver.”
The pleasure is all mine, I’m Nibola Calton, also known as Nibs.” She sat down along with Jackie. “You probably have hundreds of questions.”
“Yes and the first is yourself, how do you define?” asked David.
“I define as a full time trans woman and have been for the last three weeks, before then I was a three major high school student and the target of the schools bullies. Lets just say ‘bullies should look out for the reply punch’.”
As she chatted she was also watching the happenings on stage. Dan sat down and plugged in his Gui-Dram and made sure the cable was tucked away and not likely to come out by accident.
“That I know all too well, I’m a city security officer, I work as a plain clothes detective working from the security office on the borders of West Hills and Blue Ridge. I would say by the fact you are carrying a pistol you must be security and I would say more than likely a Street Ghost as well. May I ask how old are you Nibs, that is ok to call you that?”
“Yes it is David, I’m 17 now and 18 in a week and half. I am a full Street Ghost and also a member of the Gangrels Street Gang, as are most of the members of the security forces here. Jackie’s not here on her own either, sat over by the entrance are more of her friends from the chat room.”
Dan started to play and soon Ruth joined him, they both sang aswell.
David looked at the group and saw them all sat over there. “Go and bring them over here you, I’ve never met the people you call friends.”
Jackie got up and disappeared towards them.
“My work has brought me in contact with some interesting and varied peoples, most Trans I see they have an attitude problem.”
“I’ve not been out that long and haven’t really started to explore the alternative world yet.”
Jackie returned with the entire group and they sat down after David said, “Maurian, Oliver move this way and let them sit down.”
“Is someone going to introduce us please and what is everyone, to me you all look like real girls?” asked Maurian.
Jackie introduced each and each described them selves in terms on status as Trans or real.
She looked at Oliver who was sat beside her, he was looking around in wonderment, “Oliver how old are you?”
“12 ma’am.” He blushed a bit.
“Hay don’t blush, just think of Jackie as your new sister.”
After a while of chatting and listening to the excellent music coming from Dan and Ruth, both Carol and Leia joined the large group.
Maurian asked Jackie, “Why didn’t you tell us, we are family?”
“The simplest reason mum is so many of my friends from the Trans chat room who have, have ended up on the streets with no one to help them or support them. I thought that would be my fate mum,” replied Jackie
“What, you must be kidding, they get thrown out on to the streets for being trans?” asked Maurian looking very shocked at the information.
“It’s very true,” she said, “On more than one occasion I’ve been the crying board in the room. A lot of the girls looked up to me before I went full time. Now, I think I’m a goddess to some.”
“It’s all down to the Tele and how they portray the perfect family of dad, mum, the boys are boys and girls are girls. A boy can’t be a girl.”
“And a girl can’t be a boy. Hi I’m Robert.” He walked up looking very relieved.
“And how do you define, trans or real?” asked Maurian, “I’ve asked everyone else in the ground.”
Robert sat down between Chloe and Leia replying, “I self define as a Trans Man, I was born a woman and when I can raise the funds I will become as close to a man as I can.”
“Thanks, it make life easier if I know from where you come and how you define, as all of the Trans women look stunning, in that make-up. Who did it? Nothing against any of you, but that is the work of a trained make-up artist.”
“Never knew I was one of those,” replied Tina looking very pleased with herself. “My self and Sandra did all of them and taught them how to do for them selves.”
“To come back to the situation, so how do they survive, eat, sleep and such?”
“Most to be honest are eaten by the meat factory that is Street Life. Depending on the back grounds most who come from corporate enclave backgrounds, don’t survive very long, the street life deals a heavy blow to those arrogant and who act above their station. Of those from the street, most survive of sorts, they are very careful with who they make friends with and they pretty much live on the fringes of the Alternative and Gith scenes. The lucky few are caught by the Gangrels and are given a place they can call home. We accept people as people, be they Gay, Lesibian, Bi-sexual, Trans, Intersexed, Straight, or whatever, you are you. We judge you on your actions from the point of meeting or if we’ve been watching you from the start of that watching. Tina was picked up by Abs and she is now the person you see their, a professional woman, who specialises in electronics, and communication systems. Her preferred weapon is Z2 Assault Sniper Rifle and she as Spotter for Abs,” replied Sandra. “Now Nibs has introduced us to the world of the Young Trans more will be helped.”
One of the male staff members walked over and asked, “Can I take a drinks order?”
David replied, “Yeah I could do with a drink?”
“I’ll get the tab,” she said. “My treat for my friends.”
Everyone then gave their drinks order to the male staff member. He headed back to the café section and started to fill the order.
“I know the work the Gangrels do for those people downtrodden by society,” said David.
The staff member returned carrying a large tray and passed out the drinks. She gave the staff member more than enough to cover the bill and said, “Keep the change.”
“Thanks,” responded the staff member and he returned to the counter.
After a while of chatting Maurice said, “I think I might look at offering my help to the trans community.”
Oliver and two of his school friends walked back into the marquee and over to where the group were sitting.
She said to Jackie when the three had sat down, “You happy. See it weren’t that bad was it?”
“No, thanks Nibs. Not only are you a confidant, but you are … I can’t describe what you are.”
“I agree with my daughter Nibs, you have a presence that builds self confidence and changes people’s attitudes,” said David.
After Jackie’s reply, one of Oliver’s friends looked around the group and muttered something and left the table. Oliver followed him out of the tent.
Sandra lent over and whispered in her ear, “Lets just say what came from his mouth was not very nice as it concerned the Trans community.”
She looked at Sandra and Oliver’s other friend who said, “And what you heard from Ben is not my opinion. I’ve never really like him, he has a foul mouth and that is due to his mother’s language. I just wish I was older I think I could really fancy some of you.”
Jackie and Fiona both blushed at the comment. She guessed that they were ready but to hear comments like that from someone most of them don’t really know was nice.
Oliver walked back and upset and angry at something. When Oliver had sat down he said to Jackie, “That twat is no longer my friend and I told him he could. Not a nice person that boy and the mother’s as bad.”
After a couple more hours of chatting the festival closed and all of the people left, but email’s, phone numbers had been exchanged and the Gangrels knew where to find most of them, online.”
The break went without incident and on Frodar some emotional farewells were had.
“We will always be around, we have your phone numbers and emails and you have ours,” she said.
“True,” responded John. “It has been excellent to work alongside such professional people.”
“Very much so.”

*****

When the two group reached Home Base Sandra said to Misty’s group, “We are having a party at Club Millana on Ulleam next week, you lot are invited. We’re going for a meal first I think and then onto the Club.”
“What’s happening at the Club?” asked Misty.
“A friend of mine, Richard Chancer is having a Street Fight with Surabon,” replied Nibs.
“We’ll be there,” replied Misty.

Chapter 9

“Thanks hun.” She smiled and joined the three girls as they walked towards the lift and stairs lobby and then onto the ground floor to meet Darla and the twins. The lift lobby was a good forty feet long by twenty feet wide. Along the furthest wall from the double doors which lead to the car-park were four lift doors. In a small section off to the side behind the doors were the stairs that ran from the third floor to Sub-basement 2. All four girls simultaneously headed for the stairs down and when they had cleared the last flight of stairs, Abs opened the door onto the main car park which ran in front of the main entrance. The friends started to walk around the outside of the shopping centre, which was constructed of bricks, steel, and toughened glass. The crowds moved on an ebb and flow that moved with an unknown controlling mind, around the four they seemed to pass through the crowds effortlessly. The four girls rounded the corner and approached the main entrance Darla saw them as they saw her, they then waved at her. Darla returned the wave and started towards them.
Darla greeted the group and she asked, “Where’s Angel and Damieel?” Where they actually meet was in front of a set of doors to Digital Gaming.
“Off running errands for me.”
“Excuse me please,” said a voice of a woman as she approached the group.
“Oops, sorry,” everyone said and moved to the side closest to the main entrance. Where they had a small chuckle.
“They will be joining us latter though?” she asked.
“Yes they should.”
“Onward with the shopping trip then.”
“Yeah on with the shopping,” said all the girls together.
The front of the mall was all glass, both the first and second floors started slightly away from the actual front. As the group walked through the main doors they saw that the first floor ped-way ran down in front of the first floor shop fronts, the middle area was clear to the roof, except for the bridges at regular intervals joining the two sides. Running from the ground to the first floor was an up and a down escalator, a pair of concrete backed slopes joined the first floor to the second. On the south side of the ground floor ped-way was a branch of Fraks Burgers, a popular burger bar with the CHMs, and Surra Home Stores. On the north side was Mark Dytas Clothing and the Mall’s Security Control.
As the group walked through the main doors Darla turned and said, “Welcome Nibola, to The Harliquanis Shopping Mall.”
The Shopping centre was bright, with strip lights hanging from the ceiling and the base of the first floor, the middle of the wide expanse was open to the ground which had water features, seats and a couple of open air cafés and small stalls selling clothes, calendars, candles and other assorted items. All the levels were full of shoppers and some teenagers, most of whom should have been at school, and if the education system cared would have called it bunking.
Mothers were dragging toddlers or pushing pushchairs with babies or toddlers, some crying others sleeping. One mother was sitting on one of the bench seats feeding a baby while a slightly older toddler sat close to her on a leash tied to his wrist.
“Why, thank you Darla,” she replied again smiling happy smiles. She was also feeling very light headed, but she thought that was due to being true to her self.
“Prepare for 90% CHM shopping, but the best 10% Alternative shopping in the entire city,” responded Darla.
“That’s in here,” added Sandra.
“And 100% the best alternative scene outside on the back streets,” said Abs.
“And the second home of the Gangrel Street gang,” added Tina.
Just inside the main doors Darla directed the group to the escalators to take them to the second floor and the café located there, “I think a drink to celebrate the outfitting of Nibs, on me,” said Darla.
“Thanks Darla,” everyone said in response to Darla’s offer.
The group travelled the two escalators to the second floor and Demology Café.
The five friends walked into the café and right up to the serving area. One of the two bar men standing behind the bar recognised the group and smiled. “Welcome back, ladies of the night.” She saw him look at each of the group with his eyes, his eyes settled on her. “A new lady of the night?” he asked inquiringly.
Darla answered “Yes allow me to introduce Nibola Calton.”
“Welcome Nibola,” He was wearing a happy look.
“Please call me Nibs.”
He smiled at that. “Can I take it your normal orders ladies?”
“Yes,” responded Darla, “Nibs?”
After a quick read of the drinks menu she said, “Spiced Chai Latte, please.”
“Certainly, I shall bring them over to you.”
“Thank you,” replied Darla.
The group turned and walked towards one of the booths that lined the wall, opposite the bar. Across the front of the café was a single piece of glass with the door cut into the right hand side of it and outside on the second floor sat a few seats and tables surrounded by a low metal barrier. The actual café was quite modern-looking with a few walled booths lining the wall each one had a table and two comfortable bench seats. Pictures of either famous sportsmen or film stars, most long dead lined the walls. The rest of the floor area was covered in a few round tables and chairs. Above the first line of pictures was a second row of film and sports memorabilia. Also dotted around were posters of upcoming events - concerts and festivals.
One festival poster caught her eye and the eye of the group it was advertising a three-day music and arts festival in West Hills district. The festival was celebrating its tenth year. On the bottom of the poster was the net address where more information could be had.
She took out her PDU, which she carried everywhere, typed the address in and brought up the pages, “Mm,” she said, “site says they are looking for people to help setup and steward the festival. It may be awesome fun to go and help them.”

“True it may,” Sandra said smiling as she and Paul had been to one music festival when she was very young.
“I know one thing,” said Tina.
“What’s that hun?” inquired Abs.
“I’m definitely going, it’s the festival mum and dad helped at before we moved to South Cove,” said Tina.
“Oh yeah, it is I remember you talking about it,” responded Abs, “then I’m also going.”
“Same here,” said Nibs.
She nodded her answer.
“When is it?” asked Darla.

Nibs also noticed a group of CHM teenagers outside stood against the railings that demarcated the walk area from the open drop to the ground floor. As she watched them she noticed the magazine plate of a pistol flash into view and was gone again as the female moved and the jacket she was wearing hung, hiding the pistol again.
“5th to the 7th of Auar, three weekends time,” answered Abs.
The barman who had taken the drinks orders walked over carrying a tray with the various drinks on. “Spiced Chai Latte for the newest lady,” he said as he placed a large cup of frothy milk in front of her. “Coffee for you two,” he said, placing tall cups in front of Sandra and Tina. “Black tea for you my dear,” he said as he placed a mug in front of Darla. “And a Latte for you Abs.”
“Thank you,” came the reply from all five girls.
At this he placed the bill on the table and walked back to the counter.
“He seems to be a nice man. How do you lot know him? I guess not from him being just a barman,” she asked.
“No.” said Darla and turned to look at her, “He’s one of the Street Dealers my mum and dad used for things like specialist ammunition, information and similar.”
After finishing the drinks, the group walked to the bar carrying the dirty cups. Darla paid the tab for the drinks. After the second barman ran the tab and Darla had handed over the money she said, "Maybe see you later Tony."
“I’ll be here you lot,” replied Tony as he continued to serve the two customers.
As the group headed towards the escalator so they could return to the first floor. The group she had seen from inside the café had shrunk but they were still leaning on the railings beside the escalator down. She heard a degority comment come from the group she turned her head and stared at them over the top of Simoine’s designer shades whilst she continued to follow the rest of the group. As she did, she smiled and continued on down the escalator.
When the group had reached the first floor the five friends headed into the mall proper. They took the north walkway which passed beside an Oyds Chemists, one of the larger chemists and general beauty stockists. When they reached one of the two cross junctions they turned right moving to left hand side of the aerial walkway. They passed Ecchy Clothes, a trendy clothing outlet catering to the 16+ teenager and early adult. The next store was the one the group wanted Githage.
As the girls approached the store, she saw the frontage of Githage, the front was all glass with metal supports holding the glass in place. The glass had spider-web designs etched into it’s corners. Behind the glass where a couple of mannequins modelling two complete outfits, one male, the other female. The male one was wearing black baggy trousers, with at least 10 pockets dotted all over it, and a tight black t-shirt with ‘Rifts from the Towers’ logo, one of the better known Gith bands, across the front. The female mannequin was modelling a full-length dress made from black, red and purple material, which looked very elegant.
As the girls walked inside the shop, she was arm in arm with Sandra and saw they the inside of the shop. The back of the shop draped in a deep red cloth hanging in high downloops. On the floor was a deep red plush pile carpet, it felt springy under the boots. Pillars dotted the actual shop and on all of them were full length mirrors. The clothes were either on hung on clothes racks or folded on shelving units.
Looking across the shop she could see five distinct areas, the area at the very back looked like it was more formal wear. The entire left wall was dedicated to The House of Gith clothing line from C.E.G. Fashion Producers. On the opposite wall was underwear from the From Hell with Love label, most of the rest of the store was dedicated to Gangrel and Gith Street Fashions. The wall behind the front was where the shoes and boots were on display.
As the group entered, Sandra and her wandered over to the counter and asked, “Is Sarah in?”
“Yes she is, she’s in the back,” came the reply from the late-teenager man, whose name tag showed he was called Dominic.
As Dominic made the comment the drapes hanging at the back of the shop parted, and a tall woman, not much older than around 22, possibly 24, entered and quickly surveyed the shop. She was dressed in a tight Githage top, and a long deep red skirt which reached the floor hiding her feet; she had long white with black streaked hair. She very quickly spotted the group of girls browsing the clothes racks. She walked over and asked, “Can I help you ladies?”
“Yes you can Sarah,” replied Sandra.
“Bloody hell, Sandra and the rest of the retrobate Vixens,” said Sarah as she surveyed the group smiling. “Oh and a new member?” asked Sarah.
“Yes, allow me to formally introduce Queen Sarah Cutherlate, Leader of the Gangrels, to Nibola Calton, our newest Bitch Vixen.”
“Welcome Nibola?” inquired Sarah.
She looked at Sarah smiling. “Please its Nibs, thanks.”
“If you need any help please just ask, the staff here are all Gangrels.”
“Thanks again.”
After feeling and placing various items against herself all of the time Sandra, Tina, Abs and Darla commenting on the way it looked or didn’t. She heard in the tones used sincerity that most so called friends would never give when offering advice on clothes. All of the clothes were of very good quality and not too highly priced. This surprised her, as the research she had done into clothing and prices had indicated the prices of alternative scene clothes were slight more than the rest of the clothing market. After spending a good fifteen minutes browsing and listening to the advice of all the girls she had chosen 2 full-length skirts, three corsets, two normal tops, a couple of pairs of normal trousers, a pair of tight leather jeans, and a pair of steel toe-capped biker boots.
Sandra and her wandered over to where one of the three shop assistants was standing and asked him, “Where are the changing rooms?”
The shop assistant pointed to the back of the shop saying, “Over there ma’am.”
The pair wandered to the back of the shop, where Sandra held the clothes she had been carrying, while she tried the clothes on. “Can you help me with this corset, love?”
“No probs hun,” said Sandra in reply, took a peek into the changing room, and helped her with the corset and she continued to try clothes on. After another ten minutes Darla, Tina and Abs had wandered outside and sat on the benches outside the shop, having told Sandra where they were heading.

Outside the rest of the friends sat waiting for the pair to finish.
“I wish those two would hurry up!” Tina said.
“That’s not very lady-like Tina, girls love shopping,” retorted Darla
“I know, and I do, but god, these two know how to make it last.”

Inside the shop. Nibs finished putting the clothes she had worn that morning back on and walked out of the changing booth. “Thank you hun.”
Sandra was stood carrying the bulk of the clothes she had chosen “No problem my love, I’m just happy to see you happy.”
The pair walked over to the counter to pay for the items.
Sandra placed all the clothes she was carrying on the counter and these were joined by the trousers and two tops she had. When Heather had run up the total which came to 350 decks. Heather pressed ‘Discount One’ button and the total dropped to 245decks. She took out her wallet and handed over 250 decks, Heather run in the total and hand back a five deck note in change. “Would it be possible for me to collect the bags later today?”
“Yes that shouldn’t be a problem ma’am,” replied Heather
“Thank you.”
The pair walked out of Githage hand in hand smiling and approached the others.
Sandra said, “Next shop.”

*****

The next shop was opposite Githage and was called ‘Pleasant Places Pleasant Smells’ and a sign outside said the shop was registered to undertake piercings. The frontage of the shop was split in two by the wide entranceway. In the left hand window was a large red velvet-covered board with all different pieces of jewellery, and the display in the right window was some sculptures and ornaments. After a quick browse of the display left window, she choose a matchaing set of partner rings and some ear-studs.
Sandra and her entered the shop, which was as wide as the frontage suggested but not very deep. In the centre were some display shelves holding sculptures and ornaments led customers around the edge of the shop, where the shelves on the walls held more. In front of the shelves was a large cardboard display stand which held all manner of incense sticks and other such nice-smelling burnable materials. The pair wandered up to the counter located on the left hand side of the shop. The man standing behind the counter asked, “Can I be of assistance?”
“Yes I would like to purchase a pair of studs for my ears,” she said.
“Certainly ma’am,” and he stood and took out a large catalogue and flipped to the page that had the display in the window, “Which studs would you like?” asked the shop assistant.
“These pair of studs,” she replied and pointed to the items on the page.
“I’ll wait for you with the others outside, hun.”
“Ok.” She smiled as Sandra left the shop, then saying when Sandra had left the shop. “Can I also purchase this partner ring set.” She pointed to the set on the page.
“Certainly,” said the sales assistant, “Would the lady like to be pieced now?”
“Please,” she replied.
At this, the sales assistant pressed a button on the counter and a door in the back wall opened, a gent walked out and headed to the counter and asked, “What’s up Tony?”
“This lady wishes to have her ears pierced Nicholas.”
“No problem,” said Nicholas. “Would you please follow me ma’am.”
She followed Nicholas to a chair where she sat and Nicholas went about preparing her for the two piercings. She asked Nicholas, “Do you undertake inscriptions here or would I have to go elsewhere?”
“We do undertake inscriptions here, why do you ask?”
“I wish to have a partner ring set inscribed with something.”
“No problem, just give the inscription to Tony and he will complete it today.”
“Thanks.” She sat on the chair whilst Nicholas went about loading the piercing gun. She thought about the inscription she wanted on the rings.
Nicholas placed the gun against her ears and she felt a slight pang of pain as the piercing gun inserted the ear studs. Then he held a mirror in front of her. She looked at the two studs and smiled. Nicholas led her to the counter where she asked Tony, “Would you please inscribe the Partner rings with something?”
“Yeah no problems,” came Tony’s response.
She then wrote the inscription down, ‘Till death do us part’ on the outside of both and in one wrote ‘to Sandra from Nibs’, and the other ‘to Nibs from Sandra’.
“It will be done by about 05:00AN ma’am,” said Tony.
“Thanks,” she responded, “I shall be back then.”
“Pay for your other purchases when you return. May I say you pass easily and well?” said Nicholas as she was about to leave the shop.
She stopped and turned to face Nicholas. “What…What did you just say?”
“It takes one to know one.”
“Arh,” she said as the penny dropped. “Are you also?”
“I am, ma’am, I pass but that’s about it. Chat to you later this afternoon,” said Nicholas.
She turned and walked out, smiling as she went. As she approached the others, the twins bounded up, joyful and happy as always.
“Finished you two?” asked Darla.
“Yes mistress,” responded the pair both responded simultaneously.
“Good.”
“I need a drink.” said Tina.
“Yeah, so do I,” said Darla, “Let's go to the High Café?”
“Yeah, lets,” responded Abs.

*****

The seven friends walked to the up escalator that would lead them to the main central dome. From the second floor they travelled to up a second escalator to the High Café. The café was located in the dome that was the cross roads glass roof of the Mall.
The café was very similar to the one they had sat in yesterday during lunch-time at school. They found a large table and all sat to wait for the staff to come and get their order. Looking over the balcony fencing they could watch the people eating at the open air café on the first floor and the one on the ground floor. When the waiter came over he took the various drinks orders with a smile, and walked away to fill it.
The group just sat there and soaked up the atmosphere of the Mall. When the waiter returned, he was carrying a tray with five steaming cups and two tall glasses.
The glasses were passed to Tina and Angel and the rest of the cups which all contained a strong coffee, were placed in front of everyone else.
“Cheers,” said Abs as she picked her cup up and raised it in drinks toasting fashion, “To good friends and good times.”
“Agreed,” responded everyone else and brought the various drinks together over the middle of the table, clinking the cups and glasses together.
“To us all” she whispered under her breath, and thought, ‘What is going on, why do I feel this way and what is happening to me.’ “Anyone know when the Graduation Prom is?” She took a sip from her coffee.
“It not until the 16th of Ebinar. Why?” asked Tina after sipping her Black Earl Grey.
“Oh I hadn’t planned on going as I wouldn’t have had a date and I may have already moved, but now I’m thinking there’s fun to be had,” she responded to Tina’s question with an evil smile playing across her lips.
“Hell yeah,” said Tina.
She looked out just thinking about a few things she needed to do, one was to sponsor the rest of the Vixens so they could become full Street Ghosts, and join the ranks of those people she truly looked up to. The second was to install her drives on Home Base’s computer. She felt a hand rest on her thigh and she glanced down and saw it belonged to Sandra. ‘I so love you hun. I so love you.’
“Didn’t someone mouth we’re dead yesterday?” asked Abs as she put her cup of coffee back on the table.
“They did,” said Sandra as she sipped her coffee.
“Doesn’t this year’s prom have a theme of something?” asked Abs.
“Yeah its fancy dress,” replied Tina then taking her cup and taking a mouthful.
“Damn I and the twins can’t go,” said Darla. She noticed that Darla was looking down and somewhat upset.
“I don’t see why not, we all have two invites, one for the person and one for their partner, and as six of the Vixens go to the school, therefore 6 tickets for us and 6 for our partners,” she said, “If I read the invites and posters right.”
“Yeah that’s the way I read them as well,” said Sandra.
“Hell yeah,” responded Darla in happiness.
“As I am now going and have a date," she said, and smiled at Sandra who smiled back, "I know what I am planning on going as.”
“What then?” asked Sandra after placing her empty cup on the table.
“Samr, a famous female warrior from ancient Jarrzar,” she replied.
“Ok,” replied Sandra sounding interested. “Did Samr have any partners?”
“I think she did have, and if my memory serves me right I think she was accompanied by eight others I don’t remember the sexes, but that’s not heard to find out,” she responded.
After they had finished their drinks, Tina paid for them all. The group left for Mark Dytas Clothing, a large clothing department store from which she could get more normal general run-of-the-mill clothes from, they were all black or dark colours.

*****

After leaving Mark Dytas Clothing, the friends walked to the farthest ped-way and were heading for an exit to the car-parks when they came upon a Peninsula Combat Supplies, the shop itself sold military surplus equipment and from what she knew some firearm and bladed close combat weapons. This was the last shop they planned on visiting in here other than picking up the partner rings and bags from Githage.
The seven friends browsed the windows and saw one of the male manikins was carrying an M20 assault carbine.
She said, “I’m surprise at that,” and pointed at the M20.
“It must be a pellet gun or something,” said Darla, “I’ve not heard of this shop selling assault grade fire power. They sell pistols and some SMGs and ammunition, but I’ve not heard about the assault grade weapons.”
The group continued down the shop window and entered the shop. Just inside the entrance they were accosted by a shop assistant who asked, “Can I help any of you ladies?”
“Not at the moment, thanks,” she responded.
The shop was very airy with light streaming down from the ceiling light tubes. She realized that she knew this shop; she had been here once before as Nick when the Cameron Raiders had made an out-of-hours purchase call. The floor space was covered with shelving units and clothes racks, which contained everything a military nut could ever want. She only really wanted a pair of sniper fingerless gloves.
When she had bought them she asked, “Tina, can you, no, do you think you could wire a smart gun rig into the palms of these gloves?” as she was putting them on.
“I don’t see why not, I will need the technology to do it though.”
“Ok,” she responded and thought, ‘Email Damien Cameron to see if he knows where I can get the Tech from.’

*****

Just before picking up the bags from Githage she led the group back to the ‘Pleasant Places Pleasant Smells’. When they had arrived she said, “Would you mind waiting for me out here, sweet.”
“Ok hun,” said Sandra looking slightly surprised.
She walked into the shop, and paid Nicholas for the items.
“I hope you and your friends wouldn’t mind coming out clubbing with me and the rest of the LTBG scene. Oh yes, take this it’s from a very good pair of hair dressers and image consultants in the back streets.”
“Thank you. I think the Vixens may take you up on that offer and I’ll look them up today if there open.” She carried the two blue boxes both of them hidden behind her back out of the shop and she approached Sandra. She then went down onto one knee and presented one of the two ring boxes open to Sandra and said, “Till death do us part my love.” She then took the ring out, showed the inscription to Sandra and placed it upon her partner’s ring finger.

Sandra’s jaw dropped, when she saw the ring. “Is it the partner ring we saw in the window?”
”Yes it is, hun.”
“May I have the other box please?” she asked.
“You may hun,” replied Nibs
She saw Nibs bring the other box out and stand up. Nibs then passed the second ring box to her.
She then knelt on one knee and said, “Till death do us part my love.” She likewise placed the ring on Nibs’ ring finger. She then stood and was grabbed by Nibs who planted a massive kiss on her lips.
A good thirty seconds later. ”Urhmmm,” said Darla.

“Oops, sorry,” the pair apologised as they broke the kiss.
“We have other places to go I think,” continued Darla.
“We do. Don’t we,” said Sandra, and all seven girls walked across the joining bridge to Githage and the bags they had left there.
As they crossed the bridge Nibs asked Sandra, “Do you know anything about these people, Nicholas the manager handed me their card.” She passed the card to Sandra, who looked at it.
“Yes I do, Face Design, run by Arage and iLleathe the mistress and master of Gith make-up and hair. It’s one of the places we are planning on going. The other is Risers to the Occasion and the purchase of your first formal Gith dress, you’ll need it when I introduce you to the Gangrels, next Gathering. I love you Nibs,” replied Sandra as she slipped her arm through hers and nestled into her arm.
She smiled a happy smile, “I love you too hun, with all my heart.”
After collecting the five bags from Githage Tina suggested, “One more coffee in Demology to celebrate the completion of phase one of the shopping trip.” The twins were carrying the most of the bags as they seemed to want to.
“The ring is beautiful hun. Thank you so much.”
"You’re welcome my sweet, I thought it would be a good way of signifying our commitment to each other." She thought, ‘I have so found the people I feel close to, not only on the personal level, but the spiritual one too.’ She smiled as they walked back to the main entrance and the escalator to the second floor.

*****

The group walked in to order their drinks Tony who was leaning over one of the booth tables cleaning it, turned and said, “Hi, welcome back. You’re usual.”
“Mm, yeah,” everyone said.
The friends turned around and headed back out the door and sat in the area demarcated area in the front belonging to the café. When they all had grabbed chairs and sat down, waiting for the drinks to be brought out to them. They all took out either their tins and started to roll a Cambar cigarettes or took one they had made earlier and lit that. Since leaving the house that lunch time the friends hadn’t felt like smoking, even though the run to the centre was rather stressful.
She saw Tony walking towards the door carrying a tray. Tony dished out each of the drinks to the respective girls and after placing the tray on a nearby table. Tony grabbed himself a seat so he could join the girls and sat down with them. “You guys interested in some freelance work?” asked Tony.
“Interested,” answered Darla. “What makes you think we wouldn’t be.”
“Yeah, you’re right. The Mr. Smith who employed me to offer the job was very specific about who I was to offer it to, he said only offer it to The Bitch Vixens, and as you are the only team I know who go by the name The Bitch Vixens. So I now offer you the job.”
“Very interested now,” said Sandra. The entire group turned to look at Tony.
“The job entails the breaking and entering of an R&D research centre owned by Narizzan Inc. The client wants to get his hands on an experimental assault rifle that has been designed and the prototype constructed there and housed in a safe on the third floor. Mr Smith did also say the contract asked for two teams to operate in a co-ordinated fashion, as the overall raid also included the destruction of a specific lab on the same site.”
“That does sound interesting,” Nibs said.
“How much is the employer offering?” asked Darla.
“The Mr. Smith’s bosses gave him six million, five million decks on delivery for the assault rifle itself, and a million decks for the computer plans and live fire test results. Plus bonuses dependent on other data related to the various weapons projects.”
“Now that’s a lot of money for an assault rifle,” said Abs.
“Yeah I know,” said Tony, “I’ll let you think about it and tell me your answer later.”
“Ok Tony.”
Tony got up, grabbed the tray and disappeared back into the café.
“Do we take the job?” asked Sandra.
“Only after we do some serious research into the target corporation and other information relating to the job. Like who is employing us.” She thought, ‘Who the fuck knows we are about to break into the Street Ghost world. The money is elite-rated team fees, not a team just starting out. Five million plus a million for the plans, not many corporations can afford or would want to pay that type of money, especially to a group just starting out.’
The group sat there and mulled things over in their heads, even after the drinks had finished they continued to sit, think and chat amongst themselves for some time.
During the time she had taken her PDU out and was viewing various pages looking for information on the job. “I need my computers to do the research properly!” she exclaimed as she put her PDU away.
“True, we do need to be sat brainstorming things in a place conducive of productive work. Yours or mine?” asked Darla.
“Ours, net access,” answered Sandra.
“True,” responded Darla, “yours it is then. Sod the rest of the shopping trip, it can wait.”
The group stood up and as they were heading for the escalator down to the first floor, Darla stuck her head around the door and said, “Thanks Tony, can you put the drinks on a tab for us. Chat to you soon.”
“Ok girls, have fun and the drinks are on the house,” said Tony.

*****

Chapter 10

As the seven friends headed for the escalator down to the first floor, Sandra asked Darla, “Where are you guys parked?”
“Car park E Sub-basement 1,” replied Darla. “Where are you lot parked?”
“Car park A Level 2,” responded Abs.
“Isn’t Car park E round the back of the shopping centre?” asked Tina.
“It is. We’ll meet you in the Dalphin Pub car park in 20 minutes. I need to make a run to mine first to pick up a fresh supply of Cambar and something I have at mine, which may be of use to us,” responded Darla. “Angel, Damieel take the bags from Nibs and Sandra. We’ll carry them as I know only Paul’s motor-bike has a box. Both the motor-trikes have also got boxes and carrying nets.”
“Ok, thanks Darla, Angel, Damieel,” she replied was smiling as she handed the bags to Angel and Damieel, who just smiled and when the group arrived on the first floor The Twins followed Darla as she headed back into the shopping mall proper.
Nibs, Sandra, Abs and Tina continued down to the ground floor and headed out of the main entrance and right down the outside of the mall re-tracing their earlier steps, when they had arrived
“That was fun,” she said smiling and walking hand-in-hand with her true love Sandra.
“That was,” replied Tina who like Nibs and Sandra, was holding the hand of Abs. She guessed that Abs meant similar to Tina and the feeling was returned.
‘I think I am beginning to understand what it means to these three and the rest of the guys at the party, just to be a Gangrel and a Gith. They accepted me at face value and they generally don’t seem to have agendas with people. Other than Sandra and Paul, they’ve known me five days and yet I feel as if I have lived a life time as their friends.’
When the group had reached the doors into the lift and stair lobby, she pushed the double-doors open, and before they could swing back, all four girls passed through. Sandra tucked her right arm through her left arm, and placed her head on her shoulder. She looked at her head and saw the smile of happiness.
“Lift or stairs?” asked Abs.
“Stairs,” Sandra and her said together.
“Stairs it is, then,” responded Abs.
As the four girls reached the second floor, they passed a group of late-teen early-twenties men walking down the stairs from a higher level.
“You girls lesbians?” one of the guys shouted.
“So what if we are,” replied Abs as she pushed the door to the level open.
“We’ll change that,” another one said. “Come and try some real cock.”
Tina and her looked at each other just burst out laughing and shouted back as the doors closed.
“Guess what boys. There are two real cocks here,” said Tina and along with the rest of the girls just burst out laughing at Tina’s comment.
Just the other side of the doors as they were swinging back, the four girls separated with Nibs and Sandra going to one side, Tina and Abs moved to stand on the other. Both groups made sure that if the doors opened they wouldn’t get hit by the outward swing. After thirty seconds the doors hadn’t opened, all four girls started back towards where they had parked the two bikes.
“Do you want to drive or shall I?” she asked Sandra when they had arrived back at the bikes.
“Do you mind if I don’t drive love, I kind of enjoyed just riding pillion for once.”
“Do you want to drive sweet?” asked Tina as she stooped to retrieve the pistol magazines from the box under the petrol tank.
“Thanks hun,” replied Abs and took the keys when Tina offered them. Abs then climbed on and kick-started the engine and revved it as the spark plugs fired.
She lent over the fuel tank and watched as Sandra opened the hide under the fuel tank. She slid out the eight magazines hand her, her four magazines which were slid back into their home under her right arm pit. “Thanks hun,” she said as Sandra slid hers back into their holder, standing up when she had done so giving herthe bike keys. She then climbed on and inserted the key into the ignition turning it to the on position. She then flicked out the kick start and rammed it down and caught the engine as it started turning over. Sandra joined her as she brought the finger tips of her sniper gloves so they covered her fingertips as the speeds they did on the ICs and CWs meant her hands would freeze with out them.
Abs backed her bike out of the bay and waited for her to join her in the main car route-way. When she had joined her the pair negotiated the route-way heading for the down ramp. They had to stop and wait until five cars, all travelling down from the upper levels, passed them. One of the cars was blaring loud popular Street Voice style music from its speakers. Both the bikes joined the convoy heading for the exit. The down ramp dropped them back on the road they had used when arriving, slightly south of the entrance way. As the bikes approached the exit the barrier lifted and allowed them out. When the barrier had lifted they found only two of the cars were ahead of them, the one blaring music was driving towards the junction and it looked like he was turning left at the lights. They slowed and waited for the two cars ahead of them to leave and when the one just in front had turned right they fed in as the car which had let the car out, allowed them to join the main road.
As she joined the main road she looked at the driver and saw the woman was smiling that them. She put her hand up to say thanks which to her surprise received a nod in reply. This reaction surprised her, as most road users didn’t seem to care if anyone they helped said thanks.
On the south side of the main road, that made up the south edge of the mall complex was a hyper-market belonging to Seaabar Shopping Plc. As the girls slowed for the junction they indicated right and slightly accelerated as the lights governing their lane changed to green. The headed past the front of the Hypermarket the crowds using an underpass between the Hypermarket and the car-parks belonging to the Mall. When the girls approached the set of lights governing the main road crossroads on the south west corner they turned left and then immediately right into the car-park belonging to the Dalphin Pub. Here they waited for Darla and the twins to appear as car-park E was on the western side of the Mall.
After fifteen minutes, Tina said, “There they are,” when they came into view. Darla followed by the twins turned right at the junction slowing to wait for the two bikes to join them.
She followed by Abs rammed the kick starts down and joined the traffic waiting for the lights governing the near-side lane to change. When they had turned green Darla, the twins and the two bikes accelerated down the main road passing some high-class hotels, more trendy shops and a couple of more upmarket clothing department stores. Along with lots of shops which sold many other things people wanted to buy. They moved to the centre lanes as these were high speed traffic lanes.
After driving for about three-and-a-half miles along the main road zipping past the junctions on the centre lanes the group approached the secondary road junction they wanted. As the main road turned north Darla indicated and took the junction. They continued onwards towards the coast. After two and a half miles IC1 passed overhead on it’s flyover. IC1 was the main inner city ring road, it stretched for 420miles an completely ringed the city. They continued on until it too turned sharply south. At this junction Darla indicated right and turned onto the minor road that led down towards the sea. She drove down it for a short distance where she turned right onto another minor road that led to a couple of expensive looking 20-storey apartment blocks. Where she turned into the short term car bays of the one nearest the sea and parked up.
When everyone else had parked she said, “Come up if you want its going to take about half an hour to find the item I need to get.” She then turned to Angel and Damieel and said to them, “Go and get the freshly-dried Cambar you two.”
They both said, “Yes Mistress,” and disappeared back down the minor road on foot.
Nibs quietly asked Sandra, “Where’s those two going?”
“They are going to one of the houses on the street, the owner works at command. He grows and dries Cambar for the local Gangrels to use. The Gangrels have hydroponics centres here, at ours and quite a few other sites around the city. Close on 60 maybe 70% of all the Gangrel units smoke in some form,” replied Sandra.
“Ok.” She thought, ‘Bloody hell! I wonder how many members the Gangrels have.’
Darla walked up to the front door, removing a credit card from her purse, and swiped it through a card reader hung beside the door; she heard a click as the door unlocked. Darla pushed it open and allowed everyone to enter; she then wandered over to the front desk to sign everyone in. The guy sat behind the desk looked up and smiled as Darla left the desk. She then led everyone to the lift block and pressed the call button.
“Must be expensive this Darla?” she asked as the sounds of the lift approaching came from beyond the metal door.
“It is, but my mum and dad invested a lot of money into the world stock market and this is paid for with the returns, and I still have quite a bit left over to live on plus the allowance from the work the Vixens do,” responded Darla.
When the lift arrived all five girls walked in and Darla pressed the button for the twelfth floor, the lift travelled up to the sixth floor where the doors opened. Stood outside on the landing was a mother and toddler in a push chair who asked, “Going down?”
“No, up,” Darla responded.
“Ok, thanks,” said the mother.
The lift continued to the twelfth floor where the doors opened. Darla led the way to her apartment, where she used the same card to open the front door. She walked in followed by the rest of the group.
“Make yourselves at home everyone,” Darla said
The apartment was plush and expensive looking. Deep purple carpet covered the floor, dark red drapes covered most of the walls, around two sides of the living room were floor-to-ceiling windows, and through them the Toraz (Tor-as) Sea was visible. Overlooking the sea directly was a large balcony with a table and four chairs. In the main room were three two-seater sofas and a couple of armchairs. Exiting from the living room were five doors, one led to a large kitchen where Darla was sorting out drinks. In the middle of the sofas and armchairs was a low coffee table with a glass top, beneath the glass top was a shelf on which were a few magazines. Next to the door on the north wall nearest to the balcony was a large projector screen, and beneath it was a cabinet which contained an expensive-looking stereo system.
Tina got up and opened the door nearest the one they had entered the living room by, which revealed a bathroom, from what she could see the floor was a marble-effect lino. The kitchen had similar effect but looked like lockboards. Darla came back into the living room carrying a tray with tall cups on, each one steaming. She placed them on the coffee table and took one herself. Darla then went through the door opposite the balcony, which revealed a smaller room lit by dim lights. She could be heard rummaging around in the room only to re-appear empty handed, and looking rather annoyed.
“What’s up Darla, lost something?” asked Abs.
“Not lost, Abs, misplaced, yeah.” answered Darla.
“What you misplaced?” asked Tina as she came out of the bathroom.
“A copy of VPM,” answered Darla.
“VPM?” Nibs sipped the coffee and turned her head to look at Darla. “Do you mean Virtual Plan Maker?”
“Yeah version 7. I acquired a full working copy, I’ve been meaning to bring it over to yours for ages, just never got round to it.”
“I wouldn’t worry Darla I run VPM version 8. I’ve got a cracked copy and the disk image of the original on my 60-teragig hard drive. Along with a hell of a lot of other software and music,” she said.
“Ok,” said Darla, “It just looks like we are waiting on the twins to arrive then. What other software you got Nibs?”
“Loads, about half that drive are various software packages ranging from the latest Black Office to the standard office suites every computer has installed and about ten teragigs is music I’ve either downloaded, copied or been given,” she said and took another sip and then placed the cup back on the table.
“Ten terabytes of music. Hell that’s a lot,” Tina said. “Like what?” Tina picked up her cup and took a mouthful. After replacing it she took out her tin and rolled a Cambar cigarette.
“Pretty much most genres except the current CHM supported crap, a lot of good rock, Hatal, gothic, dark beat to name some.”
“Why have you not put that drive on the network?” Sandra demanded looking unhappy.
“I’ve not had the time to do so; it’s not as easy as you may think to do. For one, both drives are hot-swappable and need to have the bays actually put into a base unit. Then I need to run the security access software that is only on my tablet.”
“Security access software?” asked Tina after she had lit and taken a draw from the Cambar cigarette.
“Yeah I have two hard drives, a 60-teragig and a 30. Both are encrypted under three levels of 2048-bit encryption. The software allows authorized users to have unimpeded access to both drives.”
“2048-bit encryption. I thought that level was internationally illegal,” said Abs.
She just smiled and nodded, “Yes it is, Abs, it’s totally illegal, but when you have an offline copy of three BlackNet forum and news sites it’s kind of vital that they are protected. A couple of Ghosts from South Aticca asked me to look after the offline backup of the sites. I get the backup updates once a month. They supplied me with the security access software and encryption. Without knowing the administrator password, of which there are only four, I have one which is forty characters long, you can’t update the backups. It’s a part of the GhostNet’s security system, and the software requires you to change the password every couple of months.”
“Damn you must be respected in the Ghost community,” said Tina.
“No I’m not, I’m an unknown and that’s what protects the data. No one except the backup software, the administrators, and those include the two ghosts who asked me, know I even have a copy of it. It’s the system that the GhostNet and BlackNet uses to protect itself from corporate intrusion.” Nibs took a sip of coffee and put the mug back on the table. “If a corporation was able to take the main servers down it would be a massive blow to the community. To protect against that BlackNet and GhostNet has at least five back-up servers all with multi thousand core fibre optic data links to the main Net dotted throughout the world, and no one knows where all five are located. It is rumoured, and I mean rumoured that the Academy has one backup server. I have no idea if that’s right or wrong. It’s the one thing that the Street Ghosts like to keep is independence from all outside corporate influence, the only corporations that are respected are the Echo Tech and the ATEC ones. Remember this, Street Ghosts are independent, they work for whoever they want to, not the people or corps that offer the most money or best perks. You get the odd few, but they are normally salaried to a corporation or have a stripend paid by a few.”
“Yeah, that is very much like the Gangrels in respects. We only work for those who we respect and like,” said Sandra and had nods of agreement from all present.
After ten minutes of chatting, the door from the corridor opened and in walked Angel and Damieel carrying a couple of small rucksacks and smoking Cambar cigarettes. They had happy smiles on their faces, as usual. She just shook her head slightly and smiled wondering, ‘why do they never seem to look down or disappointed.’
“No problems I hope, you two,” said Darla.
“No,” they both said, “He already had it bagged and ready for pickup.”
“That’s good to hear,” replied Darla, “When everyone’s finished their drinks let’s depart for Home Base.”
“Yeah let’s,” said Sandra and Tina together.
After everyone had finished the drink, they all got ready to leave. Darla was the last to leave; checking to make sure the lock had fired to secure her apartment. “Someone going to ring Paul to tell him we are on our way?” said Darla.
Upon reaching the lift lobby, Darla pressed the call button. After the bell had sounded, the doors opened to reveal three people already in it so everyone crowded in and travelled down to the ground floor where the seven friends got out, and left the remaining three people going on down to the underground car park.
As the group walked through the lobby the security guard was stood outside smoking a cigarette, smiled at them as the approached the door. She operated the push handle to open the doors, and let everyone out then followed them out into the early evening.
When the group had exited, the guard asked, “You having a late one tonight?”
“Probably Derick. Did the twins give you your stash?” responded Darla.
“Yeah they did, this stuff is nice. Have fun then.”
All the girls climbed on their bikes and slammed the kick-starters down. The kick start lever’s internal servos boosted the action which fed fuel vapour into the cylinders, sent the charge from the battery to the spark plugs which fired and forced the pistons down which began the cycle.
Sandra’s voice came over the communication system saying, “Everyone hear me?”
“Yes,” came the reply from everyone.
“Which route, IC3 or IC1?” asked Tina.
“IC1 until North Stevran then the main road from it to West Docks Arch Bridge, then via Central Down town,” said Darla, “It’s the route I normally use to yours.”
“Ok,” said Tina.
Darla pushed her 850 Karzak back, closely followed by Abs with Tina riding pillion, then Angel, still carrying the rucksack, operated the stick shift for her motor-trike and reversed it out. Damieel followed suit on her motor-trike, then she pushed Sandra’s motor-bike back and followed the others heading for IC1.
Very soon all the motor-bikes and motor-trikes were accelerating up the onramp of IC1. As she approached 60 kilometres per hour she noticed the auto-gyro had been disengaged, she then re-engaged the auto-gyro, which would make sure that if and when she had to corner at the speeds she would be doing, it would not over lean and send both her and Sandra all over the IC.
“Darla how far before we exit the IC?” she asked over the comm. system.
“32 miles roughly,” came the reply.
The bikes sped down the IC approaching speeds of 100 to 120 miles per hour, and weaving through the slower moving cars. A few times using the side of the IC where broken-down cars were supposed to go and wait for pickup by the breakdown companies. As they entered Beeches District. ‘This is fun,’ she thought glancing down at the speedometer and saw it was reading 110mph. She also noticed the fuel gauge was just on the red area. “Sandra, the fuel is getting low,” she said over the communication system.
“Ok hun,” came her reply.
“Actually mine too,” said Abs.
“Ok it’s not far to IC1 Beeches Services where we can stop and fill up,” said Darla in response to the fuel issues.
Very quickly they saw the sign indicating services up ahead. As all the bikes were in the outside lane they all indicated to cross the IC, so they could feed into the services off-ramp. They slowed as they passed the fast-food place and swung off into the fuel-station where both Abs and her stopped either side of one pump.
Sandra climbed off, gave her a quick kiss and said, “Fill it.”
“Ok,” she said and climbed off, opened the fuel cap, then asked over the communication system, “What fuel?”
“High Performance hun,” came the reply which she selected by grabbing the nozzle from the pump. Then she inserted it into the tank and pulled the trigger which started the pump. On the other side, Abs was doing the same. Tina was stood looking at her smiling.
She tried to guess the reason, but came up with too many answers.
“Great isn’t it, hitting 120-plus miles per hour and knowing that you aren’t going to loose control of the bike,” said Abs.
“Tell me about it,” she replied, then after the trigger clicked back off a few times she replaced it in the slot on the pump, then replaced the fuel cap and climbed back on, kick-started the bike and joined Darla at the side of the fuel kiosk.
When Sandra had returned after paying for both bikes fuel she joined her riding pillion and said, “You are doing great out there.”
“Thanks hun,” she replied and, as the rest of the group accelerated, she also accelerated and rejoined the road that would lead them back to IC1. Very quickly all the bikes were again weaving through the traffic.
She asked over the communication system, “Darla, where’s the twins?”
“Coming behind us driving trikes, they haven’t got the ability to weave like we have. They’ll catch us up later. They’ll continue on IC1 until CW4 starts and then they’ll cut across and more than likely arrive at a similar time to us.”
“Ah, ok,” she replied, smiled, accelerated and indicated to go into the outside lane, checking the rear-view mirrors as she did. She swung the bike into the outside lane and passed a two-trailer road-train, who sounded its horn as Sandra and her zipped past. Both of them smiled and Sandra stuck her fist into the air in a return salute to the trucker who she saw smiling in the rear-view mirror as she indicated to swing back into the middle lane. After ten kilometres Darla indicated to cross into the nearside lane for the upcoming exit, both Abs and her did the same, and joined Darla in the inside lane. As they left IC1 all three bikes began to slow as the approached the traffic lights at the end of the off-ramp.
After the lights had changed and the group had turned onto the bridge over the IC she looked down onto the IC, as they crossed the bridge and saw six low-loader vehicle transports all carrying wheeled armoured personal carriers heading south. She thought, ‘interesting they aren’t painted in military green and whose logo is that on the side of the tractors.’
“You see the low-loader convoy that just passed us under us on the IC hun?” she asked Sandra as they slowed for the set of lights on the opposite side of the bridge.
“No, I didn’t love,” replied Sandra.
“Yeah, six low-loader vehicle transports, all carrying what looked like military grade, wheeled armoured personal carriers.”
“Heading which way?” asked Sandra.
“South and before you say, I don’t think they were heading for the military base on the banks of the Stevran, they weren’t painted military green.”
“Now that’s interesting.”
“Yeah I saw them as well,” said Darla, “I can’t identify the logo on the tractor cabs though.”
“Nor can I Darla,” she responded.
As the lights turned green all three bikes accelerated, passing nice-looking apartments on both sides of the main road. Heading in the opposite direction drove two city police vehicles, lights flashing and sirens blaring. After an unknown amount of time driving, the traffic slowed as they approached a secondary road junction. From what she could see it was a traffic jam caused by the time of day and the shift change in West Docks.
Darla’s voice came over the communication system, “Right at the secondary road ahead and head for the Triple Suspension Bridge.”
“Ok,” replied both Abs and Nibs as they indicated right, and as soon as they reached the junction, they turned and accelerated down the secondary road.
Some of the shops caught her eye as interesting places to checkout for technology and odd bits she needed in a couple of planned tools to help her in cracking security systems. They also passed a couple of large vehicle factories, the first, located on the south side of the road, owned by Suraban Motors the vehicle manufacturing subsidiary of Forden Incorporated and the other on the north side by DYM Ground. The lots outside the factories were packed with new cars awaiting distribution to dealers and franchises. Out of DYM Ground came a vehicle carrier carrying twelve small Hasda style cars, which turned right and headed for West Docks. The driver looked rather annoyed as she passed the girls, but she did smile and wave.
As the bikes approached the main road which would lead them to the Triple Suspension Bridge, the sky was becoming overcast with dark clouds rolling in from the south west. As the amount of light dropped the overhead lights started to flicker on and more and more cars switched their headlights on. All three bikes switched their headlights from sidelights to main beam, and turned left across the main road, as the lights that would have stopped them changed to red, and accelerated down the main road towards the Triple Suspension Bridge.
As its name suggested, the bridge had three towers, whose top were close to a thousand meters tall. Running between each tower were two massive continuous cables that had smaller cables coming from it which actually supported the roadway high enough in the middle to allow the biggest container ships to pass easily underneath. At its highest point the road was 450 meters above the river. The entire bridge was painted white and looked impressive. As the girls approached the northern toll gates all three bikes slowed and stopped in the queue that was waiting to pass. After about a minute Darla paid for all three bikes, and when the bar had lifted all the bikes accelerated down the short distance of flat road before the road began to slowly rise. After half a mile the four feet wide suspension cables appeared from the multi thousand tonne concrete bases and then the north bank of the river disappeared in almost a sheer cliff, below was a small tidal silt beach. As the bikes passed through the first of the support towers one of the massive super container ships was passing on the north side of the central tower, heading out of West Docks towards the Toraz Sea. Overhead were two city police copters, one heading over the river from the south side and the other was hovering on the south side of the middle tower.

*****

The twins, driving within the speed limits in the outside lane of IC1, passed a convoy of ten low-loaders each carrying a wheeled armoured personal carrier, coming onto the IC from the junction that served the city’s North Airfield and port.
After a while the twins passed the junction where the rest of the girls left IC1, and continued on towards the IC1 tunnel that passed under the river at its mouth. They knew that barring major hold-ups, it would take about another 40 minutes to an hour to reach home base.
As the twins approached the toll booths that marked the northern reaches of the IC tunnel they indicated and crossed into the fast lane, as Darla had paid for them to have twenty journeys through the tunnel and they had still another 12 on the current ticket. They saw the six low-loaders that Nibs and Darla had seen as they left IC1 passing through the toll gates dedicated to trucks and similar.
Damieel said to Angel over their communication system, “Mention the low-loaders to Mistress when we next see her.”
“Yeah, that’s what, 16 low-loaders, all carrying the same wheeled APCs,” replied Angel as she passed the toll gate and slowed to wait for Damieel to pass. When she had, both of them accelerated and entered the tunnel. After about two kilometres of tunnel they exited and saw four vehicle low-loaders with the same logos as the other low-loaders parked up in the long term car park to the east of the IC, this time carrying no APCs.
Damieel thought, ‘Strange.’ “Angel, let’s pull off at the next junction and wait for the low-loaders we saw on the north side of the river to pass and follow them to their destination. I want to know where they are going; with those four it makes twenty vehicle carriers all with the same logo on the tractor side. I think something major is being planned.”
“Yeah I think you may be right, and Mistress did say if we see something out of the ordinary we are to try and locate either the source or destination.”
“That she did.”
The twins pulled off the IC at the next junction and waited for the low-loaders to pass under them; they then accelerated and rejoined the IC about six cars behind the last low-loader. The twins kept their distance so as not to alert the drivers that they were being followed, as they took the junction at the start of CW7. They continued to follow the vehicles until they left CW7, turned left, and as the low-loaders turned left towards Wacker Incorporated city headquarters, the twins continued to drive along the main road until they reached the end where they headed for Home Base.

*****

The five girls continued on the main road after the Triple Suspension bridge until they reached the main road that they would have been on if they had taken West Docks Arch Bridge. Here they turned right and followed the main road, until it became a secondary road. They continued on until it finished at a T-junction where they turned left and headed for Home Base.

*****

Upon arrival at Home Base Nibs saw Darla was looking worried. “I wonder where the twins are,” said Darla sounding rather concerned.
“Probably got held up in traffic,” said Tina as she climbed off her bike.
Nibs and Sandra followed Abs and Tina in climbing off. Abs then walked to the garage door and opened it. Tina who was close behind pushed her bike along with Sandra pushing hers and Darla pushing hers into the garage and parking them of the main stands.
When all three were out of the garage Abs closed and locked the door. “The Twins do have a key for the garage, don’t they Darla?”
“I think so, they can always come and get one from us if the don’t.”
“That’s true. That reminds me,” said Abs, “We need to get a set sorted out for Nibs.”
“True we do,” said Sandra as she led the group up the steps to the front door.
When Sandra had opened it and walked in she saw Paul look up from the computer saying, “Hi, you’re back early?”
“Yeah we know, but we have had an interesting job offer,” said Sandra.
“Oh, what is it?” asked Paul and he turned around to face the girls as they sorted them selves out jackets and pistols wise.
She took Sandra’s and Darla’s jacket and shoulder holster rigs. She walked into the corridor and hung Darla’s jacket and shoulder holster rig up behind the door. She then entered the bedroom and hung hers and Sandra’s up.
Her improved hearing easily overhearing the conversation in the living room, “Raid a corporate site and steal an assault rifle and plans,” continued Sandra.
“Oh, interesting.”
“Yeah, so is the money on offer for the job,” said Tina as she filled the peculator jug to start making some coffee. “Coffee anyone?” asked Tina, as she refilled the filter after emptying the used one and switched the peculator on after returning the filter.
When she had returned she was closely followed by Abs who had taken hers and Tina’s jackets. She looked around and saw Sandra was loading the big house water-pipe. After finishing she took one of the flexible pipes, and was joined by Abs as she went over the back of the sofa. Sandra lit her lighter and the two sucked hard, smiles spread across both of their faces, as the smoke had the desired effect. She joined them on the sofa, grabbed the third tube, sucked and got a hit from it from the trapped smoke.
Paul took the Cambar cigarette from the ash tray next to the computer, stood up and wandered over to the other three-seater sofa and asked, “How much money is on offer for the job?”
“Five million plus a million bonus minimum,” she said in response to Paul’s question.
“You are, kidding. Aren’t you,” came Paul’s response.
“No we are not,” she said smiling, she also took out her PDU and powered it up. When it had finished booting she opened NetViewer and checked Nick’s two personal NetMail accounts. One was for Nick’s old feminine persona and her old main account for Nick. She had a few journals emailed to these accounts rather than her GhostNet account.
“Shit, Gary’s at training this evening, and has a few errands to run for his father tomorrow,” said Paul.
“Any idea how long the errands will take him tomorrow?” asked Abs.
“He thinks most of the morning, but he should be free in the afternoon.”
“Ah, right, we can do some research in the morning and I have a few jobs to do anyway, like secure the network and install my drives so we can get to my research work, which may prove useful and as is my right as a holder of a full Street Ghost Licence, to upgrade the associate status of the Vixens to a full Street Ghost Team,” Nibs said.
Everyone looked at her in astonishment at her statement.
“Don’t you remember me saying I was thinking of going into freelance work?”
“Yeah I do,” said Paul.
“Yeah I had a job offer from Damien Cameron, leader of the Cameron Raiders when I had finished college.”
“Were you going to accept?” asked Sandra.
“I don’t know, it was dependent on the corporate offer which I was highly likely to get at the end of my college course which was almost certainly to be either something computer-related or an electronics based course.”
“How come you hold a full licence though? You’re only the same age as us,” asked Paul.
“Cameron Raiders. I was advertising my services as a freelance home security consultant and was contacted by a Damien Cameron; he asked me if I would test the security system in his home. From the initial survey, I found a couple of weak spots and then when I did break in, I found five major problems in his house’s overall security grid.” Nibs took her tin out and rolled a Cambar cigarette, “I then wrote a report on the security grid and as my normal working practice, I offered to upgrade it at five decks per hour plus the cost of parts. He accepted my offer, and when I turned up to start the upgrade that’s when we met for the first time, up to that point we had been emailing each other. After the upgrade job was finished he asked a couple of his friends, both experienced ghosts, to try and crack the new security system. They failed before they even got into the house, and it was at that point he offered to employ me as a researcher, he also introduced me to the rest of his team. Most of which I still keep in 'semi' contact with, I should email them very soon and let them know I am about to start in the biz. After the job he employed me for finished, some of the team just dropped off the face of the planet bar email, but they all said if they ever work in Suraban or where ever I was at college, they would contact me and if I was old enough offer me work as a full Street Ghost.”
Tina got up and went to sort out the coffees. Sandra, who had rolled a Cambar Cigarette offered it to Nibs who showed her hers.
Nibs then continued, “My job with the Raiders was to conduct site assessments, background financial research and all manner of other tedious tasks, which I had already been doing for a couple of years, hence how I met the two from Ne-U-bar, and be an extra set of eyes on the outside when the raid which they where planning went down.” Nibs took another draw and expelled the smoke, “One of Damien’s team was so impressed by my work he offered to upgrade my associate status to a full license and he also gave me a gift, namely an experimental tablet computer, ultra-limited issue, only seven tablets of this spec existed as of that time, and I don't think that number has gone up. The guy also said that when the time was right he had another gift for me. God knows how he got hold of the tablet, and I don’t care. The company that made it produces a Dual processor version for general sale, but not the triple-processor version I was given, the guy said he had stolen a couple whilst on a mission he had done before he met me.” She then picked up the mug and took a sip of coffee that Tina had placed on the coffee table in front of the group, and continued, “he left the Raiders just after the mission was completed, but he did say to me to keep my eyes and ears open, and that he would be in contact again when the time was right. He emailed me a couple of months later and asked me to do some research into a target his current team were planning to kidnap, that’s the last time I heard from him. My listing on GhostNet says full Street Ghost brackets associate until I am 18, and my birthday is just under a month away, but I have all the privileges associated with having a full ghost license, e.g. I can sponsor associates so they can upgrade their licenses to full licenses, and if I wanted I could be employed as a full Street Ghost.”
“Hell, you really are a person of many different aspects,” said Sandra who gave her a kiss on the forehead and snuggled down into her arm.
“That I do agree with, sis,” said Paul, “nevertheless you are still very welcome, and I think you may give the Vixens an edge we didn’t have before.”
She noticed the evil grin that spread across Paul’s face.
“Does anyone have any problem with me inserting my drives and upgrading the network here?” she asked.
“No, I have no problem with you doing it. I had planned to but never got around to it,” said Paul. Tina also nodded her approval to her request
“You want some help with it hun?” asked Sandra.
“Yeah, ok,” she replied, “You can start by getting me my two small rucksacks please, and be careful with them.”
She went over to the computer and sat down in front of it. She then minimized all the open display planes, opened the control plane. She then selected and opened the icon that brought up the list of items in the systems. A quick view of the main system told her what the system currently had a Digital Data Drive (DDD) drive, one 5 tera-gig high speed platter drive. The graphics card was good, the sound card was not bad, but it could have been better. Sandra returned carrying both the rucksacks she had requested.
She asked, “Paul, you need anything saved before I install the drives?”
“No, do what you need to, oh, Sarah says she hopes you enjoyed the Harliquanis Mall?” Paul replied.
“I did thanks.” She then turned off the base unit, and only when it had finished the shut down did she kneel down so she could pull the base unit out. Sandra also knelt looking into the rucksacks after she had placed them both beside her. She opened the one that contained her various tool wallets, and removed a small tool wallet. She opened it and removed one of the cross headed screwdriver bits and heads along with a ratchet handle which she used to remove the screws that held the computer's cover on. When the case was undone she removed it completely and placed it beside the computer desk. She then removed two of the front panels and the metal panelling which was located just behind. When she had removed the front panels and the metal, she opened the other rucksack and took out the two drive bays, both of which were connected by a data cable and a power splitter.
“What are you doing hun?” asked Sandra.
She looked at Sandra’s face which was one of being very interested in what she was doing and how she did it. “Checking the position of the port where I will be plugging the data cable into.”
“Ok. What is in the other bags and wallets?”
“Various items I have bought, acquired or constructed.” She then undid the two screws that had held then in her old computer, she then slid the two complete drive bays into the open bays on the computer. When the drive bays were fully in, she inserted the screws into the newly-installed bays, and she then screwed them both up tight so the bays wouldn’t come out. After they were secured in the computer she connected the power splitter into one of the free power cables that hung from a silver box located at the back and top of the computer. “This cable provides the drives with power.” After making sure that the data cable would reach the position on the main circuit board and not be taught, she pushed the data cable into the free slot and made sure that it too would not come out by accident.
“What is that?” asked Sandra and she pointed at the graphics card.
“That’s the graphics card, and the card just beneath is the sound card.”
“I know which one is the graphic and sound, but that one I’m not sure about.” Sandra then pointed at the third one right at the bottom of the computer case.
“That one is a wireless router card. The computer acts as the house’s fire wall against outside intrusion.” She then placed the cover back on and secured it to the case. After which she returned it to the hole where she had removed it from. Making sure it was home and secured along with checking all the cables were still in place, she then pressed the power button on the front of the case. “Hun can you press the Escape key please.”
“No worries,” replied Sandra and she did just that.
She went into the rucksack she had taken the drives from and removed one of the black padded bags, opened it and took out the entire tablet computer and its recharge bay. She found a spare plug, then plugged in the power cable and pressed the power button, which switched the tablet on. She left it whilst it booted up and took a look at the LCD screen of the main computer and sat down in front of it. As she was looking at the main computer’s screen she said to Sandra, “If you want get the Laptop out and power it up. It should automatically scan for the wireless router card. I wouldn’t do anything for a bit after that.” She then pressed the enter button, and the screen changed to show a list of the basic system hardware that included the original 5 tera-gig drive, a DDD, keyboard and all the other basic computer things that were plugged into the main circuit board. She then scrolled down using the arrow keys to where the drives were displayed, and, on the two secondary drive entries, selected Auto Scan. She then pressed the escape key which took the screen back to the first screen. She then, again using the arrow keys, scrolled to the third option, ‘Drive Options’ and pressed enter, the screen changed to display the various drive options. Again using the arrow keys, she scrolled down to where it said Drive 3 and changed it from ‘Hard-Installed’ to ‘Hot Swap’, and did the same to Drive 4 entry. She then returned to the first menu, selected the Save-and-Exit option and pressed enter. The computer then underwent a complete reboot and started to load the operating system.
When the operating system had loaded the screen displayed a wolf’s head and surrounding it was the words ‘The Bitch Vixens’. The front door opened and the twins walked in carrying the bags containing the clothes she had bought earlier.
After the twins had placed the bags by the door leading to the bedrooms, Angel said, “Mistress, we have some information that may be useful.”
“Oh. What?” Darla asked.
The twins then told Darla everything they had seen en-route to Home Base.
“Yes, that may prove useful, if not to us but to others,” Nibs responded to the twins’ explanations. She then turned back to the LCD screen, opened the drive browser and checked the new drives still worked, and had been picked up by the computer and operating system. she then reached over, unclipped the tablet from it’s recharge bay, picked it up, and using the stylus which she took from it’s hole, opened the network options screen. She then selected Detect new networks in the area button. “Hun can you open the NetViewer and,” Nibs paused for thought for a few seconds and continued, “go to Favorites and select Black Net Mail Server, and tell me how many new messages I have?”
“Ok.”
As the detection progress had finished. She placed the tablet down on her lap, and turned to the house’s computer and selected the main drive; selected properties which she then changed to network read/write and clicked ‘Apply new settings’.
She picked up the tablet, then selected with the stylus, the house network, and pressed the screen with her finger, which operated the ok button and connected the tablet with the house network. She then highlighted SecurityAccess.tgz and copied it to the main computer’s main drive, when the file had finished copying, she then went to the main computer selected the file and it ran. The file opened into a new window, where she selected the extract option and let the file extract to its own directory. While the files were being extracted, she listened to the conversation that was happening around the coffee table.
“Does anyone know if Tom is a sub or of that inclination?” asked Darla.
“I think he may be,” replied Abs.
“Mm,” responded Darla, “It may be fun to train a male. I’ve not had a man and I know I’m bi and I also know that the twins would enjoy helping.” She saw Darla look at the twins who to her mind smiled even more, it seemed.
Both Angel and Damieel said, “It would be lots of fun Mistress.”
“Does anyone know his phone number?”
She leant over and whispered in Sandra’s ear, “Tom would love it.”
“I bet he would. Have you got his number?”
“I have,” she said and she took out her PDU, then opened the phone book and selected G. when the page was loaded she selected Tom, which opened the contact page and she then passed it to Darla.
Darla looked surprised when she passed the PDU over. Only when Darla had looked at the screen, did she realised what she was doing, “Thanks Nibs.” Darla copied his phone number into her phone and passed the PDU back to her.
“How many emails?” Nibs asked Sandra.
“None, hun,” replied Sandra.
“Ok.” She then went back to the computer and double clicked the main installer program which brought up the install screen. She clicked next and typed in her 40-character alphanumeric password and hit the enter button. This action took the installer to the next screen, showing the progress bar and which files where being copied, at some points lots of various files were being copied, at others only one file which took a few seconds to copy and install. After the progress bar had finished the computer automatically rebooted itself. When it had finished rebooting she opened the 60 tera-gig drive in the drive browser and double clicked the file named NetworkSecurity.com, it would be this program that secured the network from outside access. She knew how long it took securing the network at her old home. This computer is no where near the speed she had access to, it would take a while to run as it would secure each and every port on the entire system, and would also scan the area for known units and secure those too. Nibs spoke over the general conversation, “Drinks anyone?”
“Yeah thanks,” almost everyone replied.
She got up and walked into the kitchen, refilled the coffee peculator and made a fresh pot of coffee.
After the network security had finished, she turned off the computer and placed the tablet on standby in its cradle and joined everyone around the coffee table chatting, which went on until the early hours of the morning.
Around 2-ish everyone said night and headed for their respective beds. As Abs, Tina, Paul, Nibs and Sandra left the living room Darla dragged out the Sofa bed and dug out the bedding from under the other sofa.
Nibs and Sandra undressed, and they both climbed into bed and fell into a sound happy sleep, dreaming pleasant dreams that night.
Chapter 11 — The Researching

In the morning she woke and found Sandra had already gotten up, on the bedside table was a freshly rolled Cambar cigarette which she picked up, lit and inhaled a couple of draws from. She then got up and looked at the clock which read 12:47BN. She realised that she must have needed the sleep; it was not like her to sleep for that long.
She walked out and crossed the corridor to the bathroom. After finishing in the bathroom she walked into the living room and found Tina and Paul sat at the breakfast bar reading one of the daily papers. Darla was sat at the computer looking at a net page. The twins, Sandra and Abs were nowhere to be seen.
”Where’s Sandra?” she asked when she had walked in.
“Out back with the twins and Abs, combat training.”
“No we’re not,” said Sandra as she, Abs and the Twins walked into the living room via the bedroom corridor, sweaty after their workout.
“You should have woken me, hun. I also need to practice,” she said to Sandra who gave her a kiss on the lips.
“Ok, sorry, but you looked so peaceful I thought it better to leave you than wake you.”
“Thanks, I needed it,” she responded. “Any reports of the APCs moving to Wacker Inc?”
“No. None at all, which is strange, an occurance like the one the Twins described would likely bring the news crews,” said Tina.
“Coffee Nibs?” asked Abs.
“Yeah thanks,” she replied and picked up the laptop, which was sat on the coffee table. She sat on the sofa against the wall, opened the laptop screen and pressed the power button. After the laptop had booted, she opened NetViewer and selected the Black Net Mail Server page, logged in and found no new emails. She then selected the link to the mail options page so she could sort out the redirects. After that was don, she then created another copy of NetViewer and using the same log-in she created a new Full Street Ghost ID for Nibola Calton and placed her old account into the not active list. She thought, ‘The next job of the day would be to sort out the rest of the Vixens and their ghost statuses.’
Abs brought her, her coffee and plonked herself down on the other sofa, Sandra wandered over and sat down beside her and looked at the laptop screen.
“What you doing hun?” Sandra asked.
“Just sorting out Nibs’ Street Ghost net account and redirecting Nick’s emails to Nibs’ account.” After She had finished her coffee she realised she was starving, she hadn’t exactly eaten much since leaving home on Frodar and it was the following Ulleam. “What have we got for food?” she asked.
“Take a look in the cupboards hun,” replied Sandra.
With this statement, she got up and walked into the kitchenette and opened the first cupboard above the work surface. She found a few tins of general food; she then went from cupboard to cupboard and found some good things to eat. Saucepans and other such items were in the cupboard left of the cooker; to the right were plates, bowls, knives, forks, and spoons. “I hope no one minds me cooking something?” she asked, “because I am hungry. I know I haven’t exactly eaten since dinner on Frodar evening before I left for the party.”
“Hell no,” said Tina, “I’ll give you a hand.”
“Angel, Damieel if either Nibs or Tina need something go to the shops for them.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Angel replied, Damieel nodded in agreement.
She opened the fridge which was under the work surface near the front door. In which she found sausages, bacon, eggs and other food items that needed to be kept cool. “Have we got a freezer Tina?” she asked.
“No we ain’t actually, why do you ask?”
“Bulk make and cook, then freeze for reheating later. It’s the one thing my mum did, was make lots of some things, divide it up, then bag and freeze it, so if either dad or me were too busy to cook something we always had stuff available in the freezer.
“Now that’s a good idea,” said Paul, “It’ll save on cooking at points.”
“What to make,” she said quietly to herself. “I know, sausage casserole,” she said after spending a few minutes looking and grabbing ingredients. “Who does the cooking normally?”
“Whoever can be bothered normally,” answered Abs.
“Angel, Damieel. Hang on, how well stocked is the local grocery store,” she asked.
“Depends on what you need or want?” answered Abs.
“Red split lentils,” she responded.
One of the group’s mobiles, all of them bar her PDU were sat with the rest on the mantel shelf above the fire place, started to play a song by Dark Hands, a well-known heavy rock band. Paul went and picked it up, looked at the screen and answered it, “Hi, Gary, What’s up?”
After a couple of seconds, Paul continued, “Ok, hang on. Do we need anything? Gary’s finished the errands.”
“Yeah we do,” said Sandra, “Bread, spread, basic food supplies.”
“Any technology magazines, business magazines, the latest computer trade papers. I don’t know the situation with computer consumables like printer supplies, blank DDDs and suchlike,” she said. “Suggestion; we’ll ring him back when we’ve been able to organise a list of things for the job research we need to do.”
“Did you hear Nibs, Gary,” said Paul into the mobile phone, and after a couple of seconds closed the top of the phone.
“Pizza I think,” suggested Sandra.
“Yeah, I think so, I’ll cook later,” she said and walked through the door leading to the bedrooms, and returned after about 30 seconds with her PDU and sat down on the sofa with the back to the wall. She tapped the screen with the stylus and asked, “Can someone tell me what the situation is with basic computer supplies like printer supplies, paper, and blank disks. I know my laptop and tablet can write DDDs, I also know I have none with me.”
“Darla, can you open the cupboard next to you and see how many DDDs we have and the paper situation,” Paul asked, “I know we have no printer toner,”
She tapped the PDU screen, then entered zero on the printer toner line of the list she was looking at. Darla opened the cupboard door and grabbed the small pile of paper and said, “This much paper,” and showed a small pile of plain paper, “and it looks like no DDDs at all.”
“Right,” she said, “can someone tell me Gary’s phone number. Can your computer write Rewritable DDDs or is it a write-once D drive?”
“I think it’s a write-once drive Nibs,” replied Paul.
Then Sandra walked in from the veranda and said, “Five various topped pizzas are on their way, they should be here in twenty minutes.”
“08842779266514 is Gary’s phone number,” Paul said reading directly from his mobile.
She typed it into the PDU which doubled as her mobile, saving it to the memory when it had been entered.
She was wearing a happy smile. It was one that she had gotten use to wearing. “Hi Gary, its Nibs.”
“Oh hi Nibs, can I take it this is your number?”
“Yeah it is. I’m going to text you what we need; can your phone receive thousand-character texts?”
“Yes it can, it’s a top of the range Digital Delta phone.”
“Excellent,” she said, “Hang on, I’m going to send the list and put you on speaker.”
“Ok,” responded Gary.
After tapping the screen, she sent the file and switched her PDU to speakerphone. “It’s sent.”
“Yeah I’ve got it,” Gary said. “Let me check it, ok, latest business and technology magazines. What is going on?”
“We’ve got a job offer yesterday and we are going to spend the afternoon looking into it.”
“Ok, give me an hour, hour fifteen to get these things and get to you. I’m currently in Wester Park District on CW8 and about to pass IC12, I’ll call into the local hypermarket just off the next main road junction and I’ll ring you when I’ve finished and give you an idea on my ETA.”
“Ok,” she said, “chat to you soon.” She then disconnected the PDU. “Can someone pass me my tablet and place my laptop on the coffee table pointing at the screen please?”
“Oh why?” asked Darla.
“Photos for your Street Ghost net page. All full licence holders need to have a photo. It’s a security check and allows for identification should something happen on a mission.”
Angel passed her, her tablet, which had been beside the computer and Sandra placed the laptop on the coffee table facing the screen. She turned the tablet on. “Who’s first for their photos?”
“I’ll go first,” replied Sandra.
“Stand in front of the screen,” she said when the tablet had finished its boot sequence and had loaded the remote control and viewer for the laptop’s inbuilt NetCam. She tapped the laptop screen a couple of times down to adjust the angle of the laptop screen was at. On both the tablet screen and laptop screen came an image of Sandra standing in front of a white background. The tablet also showed a box which surrounded Sandra’s head and upper shoulders. She then tapped the tablet and a click sound came from the laptop’s speakers as the photo was taken.
“Next,” she said and Paul stood in front of the screen and again the click was heard as the photo was taken. It took a couple of minutes for everyone to be photoed. She then sat back down on the sofa and logged into her Street Ghost net account. She then clicked the link to the create full Street Ghost page and entered her new log-in into the sponsor box and copied it so to save time when she created everyone’s account. “Ok everyone think of how you would describe yourself skills-wise, and how much experience you have had as Vixens and Gangrels.”
”Sandra, do you want to go first?”
“Ok, hun,” responded Sandra and took the tablet when she passed it to her.
“Also be honest. Yeah, that something else Street Ghosts don’t generally lie, and if they do theirs a reason why.”
After Sandra, Tina went next, and as Tina finished, a knock was heard from the front door. Angel walked over to it and opened it. Standing on the other side was the Pizza boy carrying five large pizza boxes, “Pizzas,” said the boy in a southern Deum accent.
“Yeah thanks,” said Sandra who walked over taking her purse out and opening it. “Keep the change.” Sandra took the pizza boxes, she then shut the door as the boy retreated down the steps and back to his motorbike at the end of the driveway.
Bring, bring, bring went Nibs’ PDU as Gary phoned, she switched the PDU to speaker and said, “Hi Gary.”
“I got what I can in the way of business and technology magazines and the rest of the stuff on the list. My ETA at home base is 50 minutes. The traffic on CW8 is hell and from the traffic reports so is IC12 and CW23 in places.”
“Ok we’ll see you when we see you then,” she said, “oh, think how you would describe yourself skills-wise and be honest with it. I’ll explain when you get here.”
“Ok, Nibs,” said Gary and turned off his phone.

*****

The traffic was slow moving from the Hypermarket junction to the IC12 junction with CW8. Gary was driving his father’s LTV (Light Transport Van) which was used to make deliveries in. In front of the van was a stream of nine large double-decker coaches.
After CW8 IC12 junction the traffic got a bit better and Gary made good time after he passed the coaches. That was until the IC3 IC12, over the River Stevran, junction, where the traffic slowed to almost dead slow, and continued until the CW1 IC12 junction, where it accelerated again. Gary’s face was one of anger at the driver’s rubber-necking at an accident that had happened on the other side of the central reservation. The rest of the journey wasn’t too bad after that. He made good time and was soon turning the van into the driveway at Home Base. He got out, grabbed the shopping from the passenger’s side, and then activated the central locking and alarm with the press of the button on the keys he carried. He shoved them into the inner pocket of his jacket. He climbed the steps and kicked the door. Damieel opened it and let him in.
“Hi Gary,” said Damieel.
“Hi guys,” he said and put the four carrier bags on the breakfast bar and grabbed a pizza slice from the nearest open box. “Explain what you meant by describe yourself skills-wise, Nibs?”

“Ah the last person to be upgraded from an associate to a full Street Ghost. Stand in front of the screen for your photo and I’ll create your Street Ghost net page,” Nibs replied.
Gary just looked at her, “How can you create a Street Ghost net page, you need to be a full Street Ghost to do that?”
“Yeah,” she replied, “I hold a Street Ghost licence and have done so for about six months.”
“How do you hold a Street Ghost licence?” asked Gary.
She then spent the next ten minutes explaining how she became a Street Ghost.
“You owe me five decks Darla,” said Paul after she had finished explaining things.
“I do at that.”
She realised that Paul and Darla had bet each other Gary would ask something along those lines and chuckled.
“In answer to your question before you ask it. It was almost word-prefect,” replied Darla to her unspoken question.
Very soon Gary was typing in his skills at the tablet, and smoking a Cambar cigarette Sandra had shoved into his mouth.
“Oh yeah, there’s beer and the other basic supplies in the rucksack,” said Gary as he finished typing.
She turned the laptop around to check the power levels. She walked to where the power cable was plugged in and unplugged it, she also grabbed the tablet recharge bay. She returned to the sofa where she plugged in both plugs and then connected power cable into the back of the laptop and sat the tablet on the recharge bay. She then stood up and took the carrier bags containing the computer supplies to the cupboard where Paul removed the old toner cartridge, then inserted the new one. He then turned the printer on and it automatically printed a test page. She then looked into the other bags and took out Business Week, which was one of the many magazines Gary had bought.
“What are you looking for hun?” asked Sandra taking Financial Accountant out.
“Anything out of the ordinary surrounding Narizzan Inc., news reports, technology reports regarding new assault rifles specifically, other than that general R&D information,” she replied.
Paul turned round on the chair in front of the computer asking, “Anything I can do Nibs?”
“Yeah, do a net search for Narizzan historical accounts for the last five years,” she replied. “Check the main Corporate Bank NetSite for big loans, share offers, as well for large fund transfers, generally look for anything out of the ordinary within the accounts. This is the one thing the Corporate Bank is strict on, the filling of proper financial reports and accounts. Most of the big corporations fill monthly accounts, normally one to one and a half months after the month has finished.”
“I would have thought that the corporations would keep that information as secret as possible?” Tina look up and at Nibs.
She could see Tina was wondering why.
“Very simple, the Corporate Bank was set up by Echo Tech Inc, Corporate Enterprises and ATEC to be a site where they could facilitate fast money transfers and also to provide a place where employees could have a bank account and not have to worry about money transfers and such. All three and all the subsiderary corporations already filled completed accounts to the World Government every month then, the World Government just move the reporting centre to the Corporate Bank as well as moved the whole of the financial crime unit to the bank as well.” Paul looked at her and said ‘sorry’ with his face. “Corporate history and politics are a major interest of mine.”
“Ok.”
“Anything the rest of us can do?” asked Tina.
“Just think we know who's the target, what do we not know? Remember the first rule of the Street Ghosts, ‘we work for who we want to, not who pays the most’. A lot of Street Ghosts are very strict on that rule.”
“Very true,” said Abs as she took out Battle Technology Monthly, and on the cover was a headline New Assault Carbine trialled with the Jarrzar Military.
“When as Street Ghosts you get a job, always know whose employing and why, as it may become important, as some corporations hate other corporations, corporate takeovers can give the Street Ghost community lots of work, but it can also cause lots of problems as well. Other information to find out is as much background as you can about the target, whos on the board, who runs security, any specialist security forces they have, basically you want to know everything you can about the target. Print and if you can photocopy everything you find. You want to make a dossier containing all the information about the Corporations, job and anything you thing that you think may be relevant. My drives have a lot of information on them about the corporations, who hates who, who is trying to buddy up to other corporations.
“My biggest problem lies with the money trail. Corporations don’t pay five million for an assault rifle unless someone is about to lose a major multi billion military contract over it. Just think when you wrote essays at High School, what did you do when researching it. This type of research is the same, look at all military companies that supply assault rifles, who do they supply, do R&D for, etc. find out which country military and Corporate forces are looking for a new assault rifles.”
Tina went into the bag and took out the Financial Week and opened it at the contents page. When Gary had finished his Street Ghost net page he put the tablet down, got up and said, “Drinks anyone?”
“Yes thanks Gary,” said Darla as she went to pick up the tablet, “Do you need to use the tablet Nibs?”
“Yeah I do, thanks Darla, I don’t need the laptop, so swap?”
“No worries,” Darla said as she passed the tablet to Nibs and took the laptop in return.
She put Business Week down and selected the BlackNet Security Forum site. Tina stooped and picked up the magazine and started to read the news stories in it. She logged in as requested. “I'll make a list of the useful NetPages to go and look at when researching, like BlackNet’s Security Forum, it has a list of every corporation and what security system they run as standard and if any of their sites have been upgraded and to what level.” She then opened the search page so she could run a search for Narizzan Inc’s current Street Ghost security rating, and to see if they were upgrading or had in the previous few months. The search brought back a few posts concerning the current security procedures at Narizzan’s Suraban sites, but it also brought back a rating of a high 6, which meant they were using a security system that included a few advanced systems. She opened one of the first posts, and a shocked expression crossed her face when she read high 6 with a security runner. “Mm, interesting,” she said under her breath. She clicked the post message button. this opened a new screen in which she typed a message asking, ‘How come a high 6 with a security runner, shouldn’t it be an 8 or higher. Nibola Calton.’, and posted it the board.

Darla went to the companies’ registrar to try and complete a paper trail trace of who owned Narizzan Inc. The screen opened which would allow her to run the search, into which she typed Narizzan Incorporated and pressed the enter button. After a few seconds, of the computer and net thinking and working, the screen displayed the result. It showed Narizzan was owned by a Mr and Ms Tuebacca. She then duplicated NetViewer, where she typed the net address of Zuban Persons search engine and ran a search for Mr Tuebacca which brought up no results, she also carried out a search for Ms Tuebacca. This search also brought back zero hits, the results surprised her, as 99.9999999% of all people existed in the world on some computer system or another. “Nibs, What person search engine do you normally use?”
“Zuban Persons normally, why?” asked Nibs.
“I’ve just run the name Tuebacca through Zuban and got zero hits.”
“That does surprise me, Tuebacca is not a common name, it could be a front name for some other group, flag it and print it. You could try a Datafox search. It searches all credit records forms. Most of the major corporations that offer credit use it and to a lesser extent Fu Credit services.”
“Ok.”

Gary returned to the sofas and placed a can of beer in front of everyone. He took out New Technology Monthly and sat down with a can in one hand, the magazine in the other. He placed the can on the floor, then lit the Cambar cigarette stuck in his mouth and opened the magazine to the contents page, “Do the magazines have an online achieves of back issues?”
“Normally yes they do,” replied Darla, “Why?”
“This one has a two-page update on an article about Naban wanting a new assault rifle for their military.”
“Does the article give an issue for the original article and what’s the net address?” asked Paul.
“Issue 2667 and the net address is net.NewTechMonthly.bis,” he replied.

Paul opened another copy of NetViewer and typed in the net address. The screen displayed the home page of New Technology Monthly. Paul selected the back issues link which brought up a list of the previous twenty years with a next page button at both the top and bottom of the page. “What’s the current issue number?”
“2717,” replied Gary.
“That’s just over two years,” he responded as he clicked the year then selected the correct issue. When then page containing the contents opened, Paul clicked on the article titled ‘Naban in need of new assault rifle’. A small pop-up screen opened that asked for a user name and password, “Feck. It needs a log-in to access the article.”
“Favourite the link to the article Paul,” said Nibs.
“Ok.” He then clicked the ‘Add To Favourites’ button then said, “Done.”

Quickly Nibs brought up the contents page and the login screen appeared when she clicked the article link. She opened FileViewer on the tablet and selected the 60-terabyte drive on the main computer. She then double clicked the directory called NetBackDoors. When the directory had displayed she double clicked BlackOffice which opened and ran the installer. When the installer asked for a directory to be installed to, she selected one of the temporary directories on the tablet.
“What you running sweet?” asked Sandra as she sat down beside her
“A package called BlackOffice; it’s a login cracker. In a couple of hours it will have cracked the login. It’s great at cracking magazine and journal sites, but that’s about it."
Bing bong with the tablet as a reply was posted to the Black Security forum board. She opened the new post, and after a quick read realised the writer was an experienced ghost. The name also ran a bell with her, “Tiamus, I know that name.” She the screwed up her face in concentration, “Where. Damn.” She put the tablet on the coffee table. “I’m going to get dressed.” With that, she got up and disappeared through the doorway leading to the bedrooms.

Sandra picked up the tablet and logged out of Nibs’ Street Ghost account and logged in to hers. She clicked the button that opened the active Street Ghosts search page and typed Tiamus in the search box and clicked the search button. After a few seconds the screen changed to display Tiamus’ Street Ghost net page. “Nibs have you ever heard of a group calling themselves Alpha Raiders?”
“Alpha Raiders!” exclaimed Nibs as she crossed the corridor heading of the bath room to wash and shave. “I spent two weeks working for that group, that’s where I know the name from,” said Nibs and appeared in the doorway. Three weeks after the Cameron Raiders job had finished Tiamus, who had given me the tablet, emailed me, and asked me to do some net research into a target he and his current team the Alpha Raiders were going to kidnap. That’s who it is. Email him back for me, and say hi from Nick and add my new name in brackets.”
“Oh, hun. One problem, I logged out of your account?”
“No problem, see the chat program in the background bring it to the front and click the envelope icon it should take you to my black net mail server.”

*****

Elsewhere in the city, a short dark haired woman sat in a nice apartment looking at a computer screen reading forum messages, until she came to one sent by Nibola Calton on a security rating issue concerning Narizzan Inc. “Hey guys, I may have something here. You know when Paul gave us the Narizzan Inc job he said that a second team were being employed to steal something from the same site?”
“Yeah,” said another woman, with her hair tied up in a high pony tail, sat in the room reading a journal on new battle equipment.
“Someone called Nibola Calton has posted a message concerning the Street Ghost security rating of Narizzan Inc.”
“Oh what is the current rating of Narizzan Inc?”
“A high 6 with a security runner, that does sound a bit off, I would have expected a high 8 maybe a mid 9.”
“Yeah, that’s generally what I would have guessed,” said another woman, with platted silver hair that stretched to her buttocks.
“Post a message back to them, and offer to exchange research on the target and email Nibola directly and ask her was she employed to steal something from the Narizzan Inc site, Bee.”
“Yeah, ok, Misty,” responded Bee.

*****

A Bing-bong sound came from the Tablet’s speakers. “Hun the tablet just made a strange noise.”
“Ok, was it a bing-bong type sound?” Nibs responded from the bathroom.
“Yeah,” she responded.
“And is one of the NetViewers flashing?”
“Yeah.”
“It’s a forum message, open the NetViewer that’s flashing and see who it’s from.”
“Ok.” Sandra clicked and opened the NetViewer that was flashing scrolling down to the message.
Nibs voice came from the doorway asking, “Who’s it from my love?”
“Someone called Bee. The message reads — ‘Do you want to exchange research on Narizzan Inc.”
Whoop-bing also came from the Tablet’s speakers, and from the bottom left a small box opened which said ‘email received from Bee91,Subj: Narizzan Inc.’
“Open it hun.” She heard Nibs leave the door way and head back towards the bathroom and bedroom.
She clicked on the box and another copy of NetViewer opened, loading the BlackNet Email Server page. She then clicked the subject line which opened the message. After a couple of minutes Nibs appeared wearing a pair of black cargo-trousers and a black short-sleeved top.

“What does the message say?” Nibs asked as she walked to where the Pizza boxes were; she opened one of the two closed ones and took out a slice.
“The message says,” replied Sandra, “’Have you been employed to steal something from the R&D research centre here in Suraban, as we have been employed to attack and destroy a specific lab of the same site.”
On hearing the message Paul turned around. “Great.” A big smile spread across his face. “The second team you spoke about.”
The tablet chimed and a box appeared on the screen saying username:- TonyDrum, Password:- aaa1146396, the box also had an ok button. Sandra looked up at Paul saying, “Paul you still got the NewTech Login page open?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Good I have a login and password for you to try.”
“Brill, what is it, sis?” replied Paul and he turned back to face the computer screen and found the copy of NetViewer that had wanted the username and password.
Sandra repeated the username and password back to Paul who typed it in, and pressed the Enter button, she was looking at the screen as it changed to display the article which Paul started to read.
Gary turned to Darla asking, “Anything on Mr & Ms Tuebacca?”
“That’s a good point,” replied Darla and she checked the two credit-check sites, “In a word, nothing, at all.”
“Great,” said Gary, looking a bit disappointed.
She brought one of the Pizza boxes over and put it on the coffee table, sat down, took out her tin, loaded her pipe and then smoked it.
“You look deep in thought hun?” Sandra said and kissed her on the forehead.
“I am. I’m still wondering who would want to pay five million for the rifle I know for a fact it ain’t Coltanar. They filled for Section 12 Financial Protection last year.”
“I may have an idea though, it says Andromeda has a share issue a few weeks back, and it was massively over-subscribed, and from the charts and reports I’m looking at the share price, it leapt 300% overnight,” said Tina who looked up from reading the magazine.
“Mm that does sound interesting,” said Darla, and closed down the two credit-check companies’ Net pages. She then brought the companies registrar site to the front, typed in Andromeda and clicked the search button, the screen changed to Andromeda’s details which included a link to its net page which Darla clicked.
“I can tell you the value Naban is planning on placing is worth 400million-plus decks in the first two years,” said Paul. “It looks like Narizzan Inc, Andromeda, Coltanar and a fourth unnamed company initially tendered for the contract. That was a couple of years before this article,” Paul said.
She looked at Paul and past him to the screen. ”Does the article give a spec of the assault rifle Naban was after?” she asked.
“Not in this article,” Paul responded, “I’ll do a search for any more articles on it,”
Abs asked, “Question. Any other arms manufactures in the world who would want Narizzan Inc not get the contract.”
She looked at her replying, “Research it.”
“I would but we haven’t got enough technology.”
“Here use the computer, I need a break.” Paul got up and stretched, wandered over to the armchairs, and plonked himself down into one, he proceeded to lean over and take a piece of pizza, only to say, “Hell someone email Black Hand, he’s always got his ear to the ground surrounding corporate politics and what’s what in the corporate world.”
“Yeah, shit,” said Darla in response.
“Love, can you email Bee and say yes we have been offered the contract.” She took another drag from her pipe. “Also what info do they have on the actual target site. Tell her that we are looking at who issued the contract initially.”
“Ok hun.” Sandra typed the reply to Bee then sent it.
“Can I have the tablet please,” she requested. When Sandra had passed it to her she clicked and opened BlackNet Email Server, when it was loaded she clicked the compose message. She typed in Tiamus’ Blacknet id, sending the following message, ‘How have you been and what is your connection to Narizzan Inc Security issues?’. Very soon after sending it, a chat window belonging to her Blacknet messenger opened and displayed, ‘Hi Nick or is it Nibola now?’
she typed back, ‘Its Nibola now or Nibs.’
About a minute later Tiamus reply appeared which read, ‘I’m not connected in any way to Narizzan Inc, I was offering my services as a Street Ghost to you and your group in planning the operation, free of charge.’
She typed, ‘Thanks. What do you know about the situation surrounding an Assault rifle Narizzan is researching?’
After a few minutes Tiamus’ reply appeared, ‘not much except it’s suppose to be a quite advanced assault rifle. I’ll keep my ear to the grapevine and email you if I hear of anything.’
“Can someone check the current status of Naban, I always thought it was quite poor,” said Gary.
“Yeah true,” responded Abs.

Darla typed GDP of Naban into a search engine, the search engine brought back five pages on the GDP of Naban, Darla clicked the first item which opened the Naban government home page, plastered across the top of the page was a massive advert for Rotork Theaban and half way down the front page was a news article about the government resigning and being replaced after a general election by the entire board of Rotork Theaban it was dated a couple of years ago. “Oh hell!” she exclaimed.
“What’s wrong Darla?” asked Tina.
“Naban looks as if it’s run 100 percent by Rotork Theaban.”
Nibs looked up from reading something on her tablet. “You are kidding aren’t you Darla, please say that you are, how the feck did I miss that.”
“No I ain’t,” she said and picked up the remote for the digital projector, “Can the laptop screen data be sent for projector display Nibs?”
“Yeah, is the projector linked to the computer?” asked Nibs.
“Yes it is,” answered Paul.
“Ok run DigitalShow it’s under the Programs menu Darla.”
She did, then turned the projector on, and on the large screen appeared the front page of the site, using the laserdot built into the projector remote pointed to the article she was looking at.

Nibs mouthed ‘Fuck,’ and sat back, “That answers a lot, Now I see how Naban can afford 400million decks in the first two years. It still doesn’t answer whose employing.”

*****

At about 03:00AN, Nibs turned to Sandra, “Can I borrow your bike I need to go for a ride and see the target site for myself.”
“Yeah you can, if you take me as well,” Sandra responded.
“Ok, hun, shall we go then.”
The pair headed for their bedroom to take their leather jackets, communication systems and shoulder holster rigs from the hooks just inside the bedroom door. They walked out the front door and opened the garage so they could take Sandra’s bike out.
Tina appeared at the door and chucked a bunch of keys at her and said, “Take my bike Nibs,”
“Thanks.” She bent down so she could pick up the keys that were at her feet. She went to Tina’s bike, unlocked the steering lock wheeling it out. She swung her leg over and dropped on the kick start and touched the throttle until the engine was purring. Sandra did likewise and both bikes started up the driveway as Tina turned and walked back in saying, “Have fun you two.”
“Shall we take some photos of the site if we are going to see it?” asked Sandra.
“Now that is a good idea,” she replied as the bikes turned right onto the main street they accelerated. “And I know the person to see about the camera as well. We need CW4.”
They followed the road, until it approached the start of CW4. Both bikes slowed and approached the junction to head south she was hopping to catch the lights before they changed, but after glancing in the rear view mirrors and seeing where Sandra was in relation to her, she decided to slow and stop at the lights.
The lights changed and both bikes swung onto the onramp for CW4 and accelerated up it, and onto the CW4, they both accelerated to around 70miles per hour and weaved through the traffic, which thankfully weren’t too bad.
She said to Sandra over the communication system, “Exit three.”
“Ok,” replied Sandra.
They drove through an area, of the city, locally known as Enclave City, more widely known as Richmond High District. Both of them looked around as they drove and as far as the eye could see was the white and brown of the corporate enclave housing estates, tower blocks, apartments and corporate run malls and shops. With the associated Corporate Security Check points, Patrols, Rules and Regulations which governed almost everything the locals did.
She began to wonder to herself, ‘Would I have ever been truly free even if they did accept Nibola’she doubted it very much ‘and would I have ever found Sandra and her friends’, again she doubted it. She glanced over her shoulder and looked at Sandra as they sped along. She saw simple joy and happiness in the face.
As they approached the junction they wanted to use they slowed and drifted across the CW to the right lane in preparation for the off ramp. Both bikes went down and slowed to a stop behind three cars that were waiting for the lights to change. The junction lights changed and they turned right and drove down the main road entering North Valley District. After travelling for about three miles the main road went under IC16 and then after another mile she slowed as the pair approached The Pegg Legg Inn. She turned into the car park, stopped and climbed off Tina’s bike. “Wait here hun.” She then walked in to the pub, where she walked to the bar and when a member of staff walked over. “Is Simon Peter in today?”
“No he’s not, can I ask who’s asking for him?” the barman asked.
“Tell him Nick Calton was looking for him, hang on can you tell me where his home is, I need to see him concerning some Street Ghost research I’m doing.”

“Yeah, no problem,” the barman replied as he remembered a Nick Calton from the last time Cameron Raiders was together. He led Nibs down the bar and lifted the bar section that opened to allow Nibs into the office. “His address is there.” He pointed at the wall beside the door on was a long list of addresses, at the top was Simon’s home address.

*****

A couple of minutes later Nibs came out. “He's at home in Valley District.” She climbed on to the bike and kick started it as did Sandra. Both bikes pulled out and back up the road they had used to arrive on. After about half a mile she made a right turn and sped down the road as it seemed to stretch into the distance.
After covering roughly ten miles she pulled into a side road and stopped outside a large set of gates.
“Nice place,” said Sandra as she slowed to a halt next to her.
“Don’t let appearances fool you; Simon Peter is a well respected Ghost from a few years back. The house is in his wife’s name.”
She leant over and pressed the call button on the intercom panel. After a couple of minutes a voice was heard saying, “Who is it?”
“Simon Peter, it's me Nick, you going to let me and a friend in.”
“Ok Nick,” replied the voice and the gates started to open.
The pair drove up the driveway and stopped in front of the main door which was open and Simon stood in the doorway.
“If I didn’t recognize the voice I would have said fuck off.”
At this she just smiled. “Yeah well all things considered I know it’s been a while since I last looked you up, sorry Simon.”
“Not to worry. Come in the both of you.” Simon said and turned and led then to the study.
“My next question is how can I help you Nick?”
“It’s no longer Nick, its Nibs. Do you still have the high-definition digital camera?”
“Yeah I’ve still got that.”
“May I borrow it for a while?”
“I don’t see any problem with that, I don’t use it and my wife has her own camera, so yeah.” With that he got up, and wandered over to the cabinet on the wall, and got down the camera, its bag. He also grabbed a couple of memory cards from the cupboard itself, as Simon returned to the seat he asked, “Why do you need it Nibs?”
“We need to take some high quality pictures of a site we’ve been asked to research.”
“Anyway I have things to attend to, so if that’s all, I am going to have to kick you both out.”
“No worries, thanks for the camera.”
As she opened the door, Simon turned towards the back of the house and disappeared. The pair after closing the front door walked to the where the bikes where parked and kick started the engines. They then turned around using the raised floor bed in the middle of the turning circle and drove up the driveway towards the gates which opened automatically.
After passing a lot of expensive housing and a few apartment blocks they approached the junction they wanted for CW17, which would take them back towards Central District and then on to Eban Hill District. Both bikes sped down the CW17 her mind began to wander again, trying to sort things she as Nick had seen, heard and assumptions she had made about many other things. She was still unable to make sense of a lot of it.
They passed under IC16, and after a few more miles CW17 entered a tunnel. Both bikes travelled through the tunnel, and passed the junction for CW9 and a short while later they passed the junction for IC2. They emerged from the tunnel just before the boarders of West Park and Central and the junction for Central, which was located very close to ‘Central Free Fire Zone’. They both took the back ways to the best place to take pictures of the Narizzan Inc R&D centre, Eban Hill. They followed the signs for the Figro Night club and turned left when they could see it. The road took them directly to the car park located on the far side of Eban Hill.
After parking they walked up the path that lead to the top of an old defensive castle’s hill, about 4/5ths of the way up both of them dropped off the path and into the scrubland that was the hill’s covering. They moved down the hill until they came upon a perfect spot where they both sat, and looked like a couple of lesbians enjoying each other's company. She started to take pictures and video of the site.
She worked left to right in strips taking photos so that when they were combined they would have a close in picture of the site. She finished the first pass and had filled almost one complete card. She filled the rest by videoing the main entrance and how the people dealt with vehicles and people if they could be seen. The second card she changed lens from the 20 to 100mm zoom to a 200 telephoto lens and took pictures of specific places through out the site. She concentrated on security towers, any guard posts, and the roof of the buildings.
After they had filled both 5gig memory cards with pictures and video, the pair got up and walked back up the side of the hill and returned to the path so they could walk back to the bikes.
The drive back was busy as it was rush-hour, and the traffic on the CWs and main roads was bad, thankfully not terrible.
When the pair had arrived back at the house, Abs said, “About an hour after you two left Bee contacted us again and suggested that we meet at theirs. We arranged to get to there around 07:30AN. The address they gave is in Grand South District, 32 to 34 266 West Third Avenue."
“Ah, ok, shall we go then, as it may take us a while to get to theirs as the traffic ain’t brill,” said Sandra.
“Yeah that’s what we where kind of thinking,” said Darla. “Gary you’re riding with me.”
“Ok,” responded Gary.
The group switched off the computers and left for the meet.

*****

```Chapter 12 — Street Issues.

When everyone had gotten their jackets and other items they needed for the run to Grand South District. Sandra and her both turned and were the first two down the steps. Behind them came the rest of the friends happily chatting away, sliding leather jackets on, making sure the communication systems were working properly, checking pistols, spare magazines, and their various close combat weapons.
At the bottom of the steps Sandra turned to face Nibs. “I’m driving hun.”
“No problem, I was hoping that you would say that,” she responded.
“Ok.” Sandra slid her Tard Kinetic 44 Heavy Automatic back into it holster, then zipped up her jacket and slid her hands into her gloves.
She looked slightly shock at the cannon Sandra carried, it hadn’t registered what she carried until now. She did the same with her 357 Delt Heavy, slid her hands into her sniper gloves, making sure the glove tops were covering her fingers, she also made sure that her knife was slid into her boot scabard.
Gary took his keys out and deactivated the alarm on the van, which also caused the central locking to unlock the doors. Gary climbed in, started it and moved back slightly the van so the bikes could get out.
Paul led the way, pushing his Mit-bu 1000RSx followed by Darla pushing her 850 Karzak. Angel kick started her Star Productions 850 Trike. Damieel also started her Star Ground 1000G trike via the electric start. Bang went something metallic from the garage and two engines started. Damieel was the next person to come up the driveway closely followed by Angel, Tina with Abs riding pillion were next, Sandra came up last. The group stopped at the top to wait for Gary and Nibs.
She walked down and closed the garage doors. Gary let the van roll forward until the bumper was against the door, he applied the brake and climbed out. Both of them walked up the driveway to the rest of the group.
“Do you know something Nibs, after the last game I think I’m going to have to break some bones in Detrict.”
“Why?”
“He thinks the team are loyal gang members, everyone is, just not to him, and for the hell he and the team put the school through over the last two years.”
She burst out laughing to what Gary had said. Gary headed for Darla’s bike and climbed on behind her. She climbed on behind Sandra and wrapped her arms around Sandra’s waist and kissed her neck.

*****

The bikes headed down towards the main road at the end of the minor street. The young ones from next door, up the minor road, were playing with toy guns with the children from the house opposite. They were shooting each other and generally playing combat and war. The bikes passed a couple of older children who were both sitting on an old washing machine that had been tipped up to form a small seat, they both looked over and waved at the group as it passed. Tina and Abs waved back.
She asked Sandra, “Whose youngsters?”
“Duggie and Sam’s older two, Duggie now looks after them two plus the three younger ones playing war with Alt’s two.”

*****

Just ahead of the group as they approached CW9’s onramp, three city security vehicles sped passed them and down the same onramp, sirens blaring, lights flashing. As the group accelerated down the onramp, more city security and a couple of Echo Tech Inc security vehicles also sped in the same direction on the CW itself. The second vehicle, of the Echo Tech Inc’s two, was a large van with Echo Tech Inc Tactical response unit logo on the side.
Gary said over the communication system, “Feck me. Let’s follow guys.”
”Hell yeah,” responded Tina and Paul at the same time.
The group accelerated and sped down CW9 following the security units. All of them left the CW9 at junction 15 and turned left. At the top were a couple of security officers who stopped the traffic as the security vehicles sped up the off ramp, after they had passed the pair moved back to the corner. As the group slowed for the lights they heard sirens in the distance. The lights changed and everyone after hearing a loud roar, which sounded like as if a jet plane was flying very low, looked up. Flying about 70 feet up were two dark blue figures. They looked to be using very advanced flight packs with what looked like small wings. Most of the group stared in shock at the figures.
Nibs used her improving vision to see that they both were carrying advanced looking weapons, not the normal assault weapons the security forces carried. She gulped and thought, ‘Where ever they are going to is fucking serious.’
All the bikes drove for about a mile along the street and was stopped by the queue of traffic, most of the cars looked as if they were empty as a small group had gathered a distance up the road. They slowed and parked up behind the parked cars. Another two figures flew in from the east over the tops of the houses and apartments and landed inside the perimeter which had been setup. The friends walked down the traffic stream until they reached the perimeter where they saw fifteen city security vehicles, three city security tactical response vans and associated men. Also present were eight Echo Tech Inc security vehicles and two large Tactical response vans, one of which had the words ‘Mobile Armoury’ on the side. The group could also see a pair of dark blue figures which looked like a male and female as the outfits they were wearing were form-fitting, and looked like they were covered in some form of advanced armour plates. Both of them had a large blade on their left arms and the lower right arm looked like a long tube. On their backs where flight packs that contained the jets, down beside the packs were the wings they used during flight. The packs had a couple of bits that extended over the shoulders and around the side at the waist. The female figure turned to look at the apartment block.
After a short while of looking at the scene, she turned to one of the other bystanders. “What the hell is going on here?”
“Some creature has escaped and is holed up in the block; both Echo Tech and City Security want it dead.”
More deep roars were heard as two more flyers landed; one of them was carrying a rifle-like weapon with a belt feed, which usually fed door mounted gunners in planes and copters, it was connected to the bottom of the flight pack the guy was carrying. The female said something to the operator in one of the Echo Tech Inc Vans.
Nibs noticed Sandra shake her head as if to clear it. “What’s wrong hun?”
“I don’t know. I think I’ve just heard those two talking as if I was standing next to them.”
She looked puzzled at her and asked, “What did they just say then?”
“I’ll tell you later.”
“Ok hun,” she responded.
One of City Security Officers, after being told something by another one, picked up a megaphone and said, “Please move back, this area is no longer safe for civilians. Please return to your vehicles and move them back, we will be closing the exits and entries to CW9 in twenty minutes.”
“Let’s get out of here,” said Gary. “We can watch it on the news.” He pointed to the two broadcast teams that were present. They all looked like they were wearing some form of body armour.
”Yeah lets,” said Paul.
With this everyone turned and started to walk back to their vehicles. On the way Sandra grabbed Nibs’ arm and slightly slowed so the rest of the group could move ahead of them.
As the pair dropped back slightly Sandra whispered into her ear, “This is what I heard. I think this is the female figure, ‘Is the building cleared of civilians?’. I think this is the guy sat in the van, ‘Almost only the top floor to be evacuated now lieutenant, City Security has the conservator contained for the time being on the second floor, but it’s not giving up without a fight. We have had reports that it has attacked on a couple of occasions and we think it may have trapped a family in one of the apartments.’ The lieutenant then said, ‘Ok let’s replace the city security units with Echo Tech Tactical Squads 3 and 5, then we will move in and hope we can rescue the family and destroy the conservator’. That’s all I got before I almost freaked.”
“Ok, we’ll check it out later in more privacy.”
“Ok so you don’t think I’m going mad?” asked Sandra
“No I don’t, I’ll explain later,” she said as they reached where the bikes were parked.
“Ok.”
When the group had arrived at the bikes and climbed on, they started them and headed off in the direction they had come, back towards CW9 and Misty’s.

*****

After exiting the CW and turning right along one of the main roads, the group was driving down passed a row of boarded up shops, one was open and had lights on. Outside was a large group of youths, looking through the security meshed front window. Outside a couple of apartments opposite were citizen’s and they were looking very concerned at the scene.
Nibs spotted the group stood outside the 26hr mall. “Hold up hun, something is going on in the mini mall.”
Sandra glanced left at the scene. “Oh yeah.” Sandra slowed the bike and looked on the right hand side for an alley-way she could turn into and stop.
“What’s up Sandra?” asked Tina over the communication system.
“Possible youth led hold-up left of the street. Pull over and let’s check it out.”
“Oh shit! Yeah,” exclaimed Tina, after she and Abs had looked at the scene. They followed Sandra’s lead in turning into the alley-way. She said via the communication system. “Gary, Paul we’re stopping. It looks like a group of youths are watching something in what looks like the only mini mall in the area.”
Gary’s voice came over the communication system. “Ok, Tina, we’ll pull into the next alley-way and wait for your report on the situation.”
Nibs was continuing to watch the scene as Sandra cornered and had just seen what was happening in the shop itself, but the group outside concerned her more than what was happening in the shop itself. “The group on the outside look jittery.”
“More like nervous as hell,” said Abs as Sandra and Tina turned right into an alley-way down between two five-storey tenant blocks.
As Sandra slowed she stood on the foot-pegs and moved onto the small back area where the rear lights were located and swung her leg over to get off. As she moved back towards the entrance, her Delt was in her hand and the safety catch was off.
Sandra’s voice came over her earpiece. “The thieves were either high or nervous.”
“Ok” replied Gary.
She knelt down in the shadow provided by the two apartment blocks looking at the scene very intently, studying it. Her eyes moved along the line of shops including the first floor windows, she saw a couple of gents looking out of a first floor window at the scene and they did look very concerned.

Abs quickly arrived at the entrance and took up a position opposite Nibs. She looked up the street and could see Gary, he had moved to the edge of an alley-way and was looking down the street at the scene. As she watched Gary she suddenly realised that she was seeing Gary far sharper than she should be able to. Very quickly Paul joined Gary at the corner. She saw Paul move in a low stoop fashion. As she looked at him move she saw Paul had his HK77 out from his bike’s hide. Paul ran as close to the building as possible, and he stopped in a sunken doorway belonging to a bookshop some four shops up the street.
“Nibs, Abs, where are you?” asked Paul over the communication system.
“Three shop doors from you opposite side of the road,” she answered.
“Ok, got you,” said Paul, he signalled ok with his hand.

*****

Back at the bikes Sandra and Tina had lifted the seats, unlocked a long metal box located above the rear wheel. They removed two M22 assault carbines from both, along with four magazines. As they walked back to the entrance they slid a magazine home and operated the action on each weapon.

When Sandra had joined Nibs at the entrance way. Sandra tapped her on the shoulder, as she looked at her she offered the M22 to her.
Nibs took it with her left hand. “Thanks. What the hell?”
“M22 Assault carbine love, we all carry assault-level weaponry on the bikes, remember.”
“Oh yeah, I do now!” she exclaimed then checked the safety and opened the breech slightly to check for a round, she saw one was present, she moved the selector to the five round burst fire position.

Abs who was looking up the street saw Darla had moved to join Gary on the corner and had shoved a Trig 27b into his hands, in hers was a HK23 Assault Carbine. Gary then ran in a similar fashion as Paul had and joined Paul in the doorway. She the saw Angel appear around Darla’s leg her Trig 8 semi-auto shotgun. She knew would have a solid slug in the breech and the 20 round magazine, Angel never used anything else. Damieel then passed behind her using the stooped run, she headed across the street. About thirty seconds later Angel moved in the same direction as Damieel. Darla then moved herself towards a car parked on the side of the road.

Nibs, who was looking at the scene in the shop. She saw one was carrying a length of wood, two of the youths had T100 SMGs, another, who looked like he was carrying a Y15 sub-machine pistol. He was aggressively threatening a small group of six shoppers, and the last two carried pistols. One of the two using a T100 was acting very aggressively to the two shop assistants who were filling a bag with money and cigarettes. The other person carrying a T100 along with one of the two carrying, what looked like, Y7 automatics were watching two women, one no older than 16 maybe 17 the second a young female adult, she was wearing a business suit, the pair looked terrified. She understood why, ‘They had been separated from the rest older looking middle aged people. They both sub consciously knew they were about to be raped by at least one, more than likely gang raped.’ The five carrying fire arms were the major threat to the people in the shop and the people watching the scene. ‘I hope some Street Ghosts are nearby we may need them.’

As Damieel reached the opposite side of the road she found a gent with long white hair tied back in a male pony tail along with a couple of teenagers. One of the pair was male, the other was female. The female had a round face and shoulder length dark brown hair, piercing hazel eyes and was wearing a T-shirt with a logo and underneath was the words Club Millana Staff, forest pattern camouflage trousers and a pair of biker boots. Sticking from the top of both her boots were three knives. She quickly double took the knives as they looked like throwing knives. The male had squareish face with short matt black hair and brown eyes, he was wearing a similar t-shirt as the female and black baggies. On his hands were a pair of fingerless gloves. She saw the fighting knife in its scabbard across the small of his back. She estimated their ages to be around the same as the Vixens’.

Angel joined Damieel on the opposite side of the street and the female moved to join Darla at the car. As she left, she saw she was carrying a well kept Trig 27b SMG. She also saw the male was using the same weapon. The gent on the other had was carrying what looked like an MA40. She noticed the guy gulp as he saw the Trig 8 especially when the pair of them were not exactly largely built. At least the Ydar SMG Damieel used was in keeping with her body’s overall frame.

Abs suddenly realised she could hear Paul speaking to Gary, and what was being said in the shop. She whispered to Tina, “Can you hear Paul, Gary, and Darla, and what’s happening in the shop.”
“Yeah I can,” replied a surprised Tina.

Nibs who had been watching the scene in the shop and the group outside saw movement from the guy forcing the workers to fill the bags. “Movement.”
The guy who was forcing the workers to fill the bags grabbed them. She heard him shout, “Get on the floor now, you Deum Scum!!” As they lay face down he aimed his T100 and fired a burst into them. She saw the pair jump and bounce around as the rounds hit them. “Feck!” she exclaimed.
Sandra who was stood behind her watching the scene as it unfolded, knelt down and whispered in her ear, “Welcome to the real world of the streets and the gangs hun. You ready to take them down.”
“Yeah, let’s do it.” The training Uthra had given her along with her natural discipline and the lessons from Tiamus and Damien came flooding back to the fore.
She saw the two who had been watching the two women grabbed each one and dragged them screaming and fighting towards the door. The one who had the bags chucked them to one of the two watching the rest of the people. When the two had caught the bags and started to back out of the shop, he shoved his hand into his jacket pocket and withdrew a fragmentation hand grenade. He took the grenade up to his mouth and pulled away, she saw the safety bar fly off. “Feck, GRENADE!” she exclaimed.
“Hold back; think tactically Nibs,” said Sandra sternly in her ear. “Way too many civilians currently. Remember the civilians are more important than anything else. As Gangrels we respect life, all life.”
“Abs, Tina, Sandra, Nibs, Gary. You have tactical control of the situation, I can see a few adults up the road from you carrying assault grade weaponry.”
Angel’s voice came over the communication system. “Guys, Angel. Me and Damieel are with a gent carrying what looks like a MA40 with GL (grenade launcher).”
Abs replied, “Ok Gary.” She turned to Sandra and Nibs. “When they get opposite stop them and contain. Me and Tina will support.”
“Ok,” they both replied and both brought the M22 to the assault position. Her first finger was over the trigger.
“Abs, Darla. What is happening in the shop?”
“The six are exiting with two females,” said Abs through the communication system.
As the guy, holding the grenade, backed out of the shop, he threw it into the small group of shoppers. As he underarm tossed the grenade, the people started to move and get to some form of protection between them and the explosion. Outside the guy turned and joined the large group which started to move up the street towards the friends. The hand grenade exploded, after a few seconds, and sent the thousands of razor sharp pieces of shrapnel out, the thin metal of the shelves and serving desk not providing much protection from either the concussion or the fragments. All of the shoppers were hit and most fell as the concussion blast hit them and they over balanced. The safety glass in the front window took the entire explosion. All the youths started to laugh as the grenade went off.
As group reached the building opposite, Abs commanded loudly, “Take them down.”
When Nibs heard the command, her battle instincts kicked in and she moved out into the street, closely followed by Sandra. They had their weapons at the assault position, shoulder stock into the shoulder, finger on the trigger, ready to fire. She looked over and as she reached the nearest side of the road, both of them fired a controlled burst across the street, so it impacted in front and behind the group of youths. They stopped in total surprise and shock.
Sandra shouted forcibly at the group, “Halt or we will open fire. By the authority placed in us by Central we hereby order you to halt and surrender, we have you surrounded.”
The one carrying the length of wood looked across the street at the fast approaching pair. To Nibs’ surprise he swung the piece of wood at the shop door which shattered the glass in the door frame. He and four of the group rushed towards the door and a possible escape route.
Two more of the group moved towards the alley-way and were confronted by two figures who had been hiding in the shadows, both of them were carrying assault grade weapons. The rest of the group went face down on the sidewalk as she shouted, “Face down. Now.”
She fired a second burst just into the brickwork above the doorway. The four who had gotten stuck trying to get through the door, stopped and backed away from the door, back into the street. She saw the shop lights go on and then she saw the pair standing cautiously in the door way to the stairs and back room, one was carrying a pistol and the other, who was just behind him, was carrying a long Pacca fire poker.
She quickly looked up the street, and saw two more had joined Paul’s group and both Paul and Gary were moving, weapons in the assault position down the street.

Sandra, who had her back to Nibs, could see that the local citizens were now dragging the injured and trying to fight the fire that had started after the grenade had exploded. Two people, both, holding pistols were knelt behind a postbox taking cover, another two had taken cover behind one of the parked cars. They looked as if they were carrying D300s.
A quick look up and down the street showed the four youths that the shouts weren’t kidding, they were surrounded and they all looked like they had fire arms. He and the other three youths dropped to their knees and placed their hands on the backs of their heads.

“Abs and Tina move to support and separate,” Darla instructed over the communication system.
“Moving to support,” replied Abs over the communication system.
She saw the pair appear and move weapons in assault position. She then said over the communication system, “I’m moving with two partners.”
“K.” signalled Paul over the communication system.

Nibs saw Darla plus her new partners move to the far corner of the car they all took up fire positions against the side of the car.
As Sandra and her got to the other curb and moved through the group, they kicked the two gunmen hidden within the group hard. The kicks got the resulting pain movements indicating themselves to Abs and Tina who to separate from the rest.
Nibs grabbed the piece of wood from the youth who had been carrying it, threw it over the group and grabbed his wrist, twisted it and forced him inside the shop. As she forced him through the opening in the door window, the force busted the lock and almost took the door off its top hinges. The gent stumbled and ended up face down with her knee digging into his back and the barrel of her M22 shoved into the back of his head. Sandra threw the other three into the rest of the group where Paul and Gary, and a pair who had joined the takedown, started to sort people by searching them for hidden weapons and grenades.
She knew the one she had kicked felt the impact as she had targeted the ribs and she knew the power would have broken some ribs. She glanced outside as the pair were grabbed by the backs of their jackets and one was heaved into the arms of the two adults and the other to Paul and Gary who both roughly searched them and then forced them both to their knees.
She looked around at the rest of the scene outside and saw the two girls, who were now hysterical, being taken away by a couple of women who started to comfort and calm them.

Once the girls had been taken away, Sandra turned and started to process the rest of the youths roughly, and was joined by Darla and her two partners.

Inside the shop, Nibs along with the two gents searched the one she had pinned to the floor and took a 9mm automatic out and threw it across the floor. Then with the help of the shop owner, manhandled him outside and down the street to join the one Abs had taken to two helpers, both carrying Echo MA-30 assault rifles.

Then the sirens started to be heard, and one of the adults said, “Here comes the city rescue and security services.”
Another adult said to Abs, “Tell your friends to get out of here, let us and the police deal with the current situation and we’ll say you will give statements later. You got some number they can contact you on?”
“Yeah,” she said in reply,
“Fellow ghost, nice to meet you. All of you?” he said indicating the rest.
“Yeah definitely.” She said over the communication system, “Let’s bug before the cops get here.”
“Yeah let’s,” replied Gary.

The entire group disappeared back to where they had parked their bikes, pushing them away so as not to alert the city security forces. After they had got a short distance away.
Nibs contacted Paul’s group, “We’ll meet you at Misty’s.”
“Done,” replied Paul. “See you at Misty’s.”
Nibs climbed on behind Sandra who kick started the bike after handing her, her M22, she held both whilst Sandra drove the bike.

Chapter 13 — Misty’s

After ten minutes more of driving, both Tina and Sandra turned down an alleyway close to the address Misty had given them. As they approached a courtyard area they saw stood outside the back of one of the blocks were two females in their early-twenty’s. One of the pair was dressed in combat fatigue trousers and a vest top; the other had a pair of cut-offs on and a t-shirt with the logo for Echo Weapons on the front. They both had pistols stuffed down their trousers at the back. As the two bikes slowed and entered the small courtyard behind the building, the two girls smiled. The four friends saw the rest of the group had also just arrived and were putting the various assault weapons away in the various hides.
Surrounding the courtyard were a five 5- or 6-storey buildings, some with fire escapes leading to the court yard, others without. The yard area also had a couple of large dumpsters and lots of bags filled with rubbish. The one light was over the open door, illuminating a small set of stairs that led up to the doorway.
The girl wearing the cut-offs approached the group and asked, “Nibs?”
When the girl approached, Nibs was handing the two M22s to Sandra who removed the magazines and stowed them in the ammunition hide and then placed the two M22s in their hide and locked them in place. Sandra then closed and locked the lid of the hide and dropped the seat back into place.
When the girl had asked the question Nibs looked at her and saw her blonde hair was tied into a high pony tail. She then looked at the other girl and saw she had short brown hair. “Yeah.”
With that answer the girl smiled.
After all the weapons were away and the group had conjugated together she said, “Welcome to the Raiders Den.”
She led the group to the open door and went up the stairs that lay just inside the door. The second woman brought up the rear and made sure the outside door was closed. The stairs were made from concrete and had water stains and small pools of water in the corners and along the edges. On the first half-landing was a small low-wattage bulb that was flickering as if it was about to pop and die. The walls were painted white and in places had either dulled or had flaked off revealing the plaster beneath. As the group followed the girl up the stairs, she glanced at Darla and she could see that Darla had a contented smile as if she was looking forward to seeing someone. She wondered why Darla looked that way and turned and whispered in Sandra’s ear, “Why is Darla looking so contented?”
She saw Sandra glance in Darla’s direction and saw the same face as she had. “No idea.”
When the group reached the third floor they went through the fire escape door, a sign hung from the ceiling, just inside, read ‘Raiders Den, Beware all who enter “PMT IN EFFECT”’. The corridor ran from the fire escape door to the front of the building, at the far end they could see a partially boarded-up window. The door nearest the fire escape was open and the latest release from band ‘The Huntress’ was coming from inside. The other female walked past the group and followed the first woman into the apartment. Just inside the door was a small cloakroom where everyone hung their outdoors jackets and left their shoulder holster rigs.
The inside of the apartment was painted in a light cream colour with a few pictures and a couple of pieces of modern art hanging on the walls. The kitchen was off to one side, and you could hear the coffee percolator on the go, along with the kettle boiling away.
“Welcome all, you found us then?” came a husky woman’s voice from the kitchen. The rest of the room was clean and tidy and had a few good seats and lots of large cushions and bean bags lying about. Both girls went and dropped on to a couple of the chairs. Sitting on a three-seater sofa was another girl and a fourth was lounging on some large cushions. In the middle was a low large table.
As Nibs walked into the room she saw a large glass tank, which was sat on a stand against the outside back wall. Sleeping against the glass was large snake! Its head was looking out over the room. The instant she saw the snake she started to sweat and she started to breathe controlled breaths concentrating on controlling her reaction. ‘This is not the place to reveal my phobia of snakes.’
She saw Sandra look around and she knew she had seen the current state of her, with the beads of sweat and her expression was one of concentration. Sandra’s face went from a happy one to a very concerned one. Nibs noticed Sandra’s face and smiled at her. She then moved into the room proper sat down after looking at the tank.
“Yeah we found the place, thanks,” said Gary.
After she had sat on a bean bag and Sandra had sat behind her. Sandra moved so her mouth was close to her ear and enquired, “What’s up?”
“I have a phobia of snakes, I’ll tell you back at the house,” she replied.
“Coffee, Tea?” asked a fifth girl standing in the kitchen entrance.
Nibs saw Tina look at her and she then asked, “You ok Nibs?”
“Yeah,” she replied quietly so not to let other’s know about it, “I think I must be just coming down off the high, you have had far more experience than I have. That was my first time in live fire combat.”
“True we have,” replied Sandra to her statement and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
Darla looked and semi ran over to the girl in the door to the kitchenette and threw her arms around the girl and gave her a hug. “Misty.” Nibs saw Darla’s face which was a big smile.
“Hey.” Misty had a smile on her face as well. “Darla. What the hell are you doing here?”
“I’m a Gangrel and member of the Bitch Vixens Unit, which happens to be everyone I arrived with.”
Misty just stared at Darla. “Where you a member when me and you were dating?”
“Yes I was, that was the reason why I was sometimes not around for ages at a time.”
“Bloody Hell.” Misty gently shook her head at the information. “You should have told me I would have joined you lot and helped you kick some gang arse. Yeah, drinks, what’s everyone having?”
The drink orders were given and they all found seats, either on the other sofas cushions or the bean bags. After a couple of minutes both Darla and Misty passed out the drinks.
“The kitchen is there. We have coffee, tea, squash, some booze in the fridge. We don’t stand on formalities, if you want a drink, get one and anyone else who wants one too,” said Misty.
“Some introductions are in order I think,” said Paul after sipping his coffee.
“Yeah you’re right,” responded Misty. “I think it’s easier if each of us tells you who we are.”
“Hi, I’m Bee, the units computer and communications expert.” She had short dark brown hair, round face and green eyes. ; she also had a small amount of obvious cyberwear, it lay just beneath the skin and was visible around her eyes and running down the sides of her neck. She wore a pair of cut-off trousers and a Sports bra-cum-top.
“Watch ya. I’m Angelique,” said the blond-haired girl who had met them downstairs. She waved at the group and took another sip of her drink which looked very similar to juice.
The other girl from downstairs said, “Hi I’m Rachel, I’m the team’s weapons expert.”
The last girl, with long silver-white plaited hair that stretched to her knees, she was also dressed like Bee, said, “Hello all, I’m known as Gretz and I’m a jack of all trades.”
Misty was wearing a green stringy top and dark red velvet trousers, and sat down on one of the two available seats.
Gary introduced the friends to all the Raiders and got a massive Hi from all present.
Angelique was sitting opposite Nibs and Sandra, and saw her face was one, asking, are you or are you not? She then said, “It’s nice to see someone brave enough to say fuck off to the world and be who they are and not what society expects.”
“I agree.” Misty looked at her and also smiled and nodded her approval.
“That’s a point, you heard the news, some creature was rampaging through a tower block, earlier, and we saw the setup for some serious operation,” said Sandra.
“Shit, no. Switch the tele on someone,” said Misty as her hand went for the remote on the table and she changed the channel to Digital News.
The tele was put on and soon displayed Digital News, one of the main international news channels. It was covering the exact story from both a copter and ground crews, on the screen was one of the ground reporters who was lucky enough to be inside the perimeter and inside one of the command vehicles. He was reporting on the deployment of four power-armour equipped Echo Tech Inc Security Troops into the target building. He was carrying a shoulder mounted cam and was watching the various screens which were displaying the viewpoint of the four troopers as they entered the building. At that point it was cut back to the anchorman in the studio. “Bill, what’s it like on the streets?”
“Pandemonium at the mo, Security forces are engaging a small well-armed group of fanatics that look as if they where following something related to the creature. It looks like the Security forces are beginning to get the upper hand with the arrival of two Applom Gunships from Echo Special Security.” A loud explosion was heard as a pair of rockets hit one of the enemy strong-points and destroyed it.
Nibs thought ‘What the Fuck? A bit excessive sending in an Applom Gunships.’
The screen went back to show the studio, displayed along the bottom of the screen was a breaking news line which read, ‘A mini mall was involved in a armed robbery and explosion’. The anchorman said, “In a breaking news story from Grand South District. Earlier this evening a mini-mall was involved in a hold up. The robbers destroyed it with when a grenade exploded killing seven including the manager and injuring four. The group responsible have already been arrested by Echo Tech security forces after a local group of civilians made some citizen arrests. No others are being sought in connection, but a group of youths reported as assisting in the citizens’ arrests have been asked to contact the nearest Echo Tech Security base so their part in the incident can be learned and ruled out of further investigations.”
“Oh well, at least we still have some good citizens,” said Bee in response to the story.
“Thank you Bee,” said Sandra.
“What?” Bee looked quizzically at Sandra.
“Thank you for your comment; we are the group who they are talking about.”
“Oh. Ok,” said Gretz. Her eyes opened widely in surprise. “What happened?”
The four girls told Misty’s raiders the events that had transpired that evening.
“I’m impressed.” Misty’s face was one of being impressed with the operation and outcome.
“Down to business before we chill and enjoy ourselves I think,” suggested Bee looked around the room at everyone.
“Before we came here we spent this afternoon trying to work out who would want to either stop Narizzan from delivering the rifle, or to somehow get a copy of it for reverse engineering. We were turning up empty on all fronts,” Nibs said looking directly at Misty.
“That don’t surprise me, if the information we have is correct, Narizzan is owned via three other companies all of which are under the control of The Dark Brotherhood,” replied Misty whilst looking at her.
She looked very concerned at this piece of information, as from the few reports she had read on BlackNet, said that the Dark Brotherhood were a group not to be messed with.
“From what my group have been able to learn, the rifle incorporates some seriously advanced systems that somehow change the bullet into a ball of plasma and accelerates it to speeds in the realm of 1500ft/s.”
“Fecking hell!” Paul looked very concerned at this news.
“Yeah I think so.” Misty looked at where Paul was sitting, she then looked back at the rest of the Vixens. “I don’t know how much you guys know about the target site.”
“A little, Nibs and Sandra went and took a lot of photos of the site.” Gary was smiling whilst he was looking at her.
She noticed this and smiled ‘Thank you’ in reply. She then looked back at Misty. “Yeah,10gigs worth of high quality images and video.”
“Have you got it here?” asked Bee who then stood up and turned towards the door way.
She checked her pockets for the two memory cards. “Yes I have.” She showed the two memory cards.
“That’s useful,” responded Bee as she disappeared out of the door.
“How much do you know about our mission?” asked Angelique who was looking at where Tina and Abs were sitting.
“Not much other than you been employed to destroy a lab or something,” replied Sandra.
“Yes we have, the lab is conducting research into some form of bio-weapon.” Misty also looked at where Tina and Abs were sitting. “The weapon is very advanced and involves some very advanced genetic work.”
After a bit of a pause while drinks were sipped, Misty continued, “From what we have been able to learn about the site the weapon is stored in a vault on the third floor in the head of R&D’s office, and is protected by a couple of enhanced attack dogs.”

*****

For a couple of hours they brain-stormed and looked at the pictures.
“I think it’s time you saw the facilities we have here,” said Misty. “I take it Nibs you know about computers and electronics?”
“Yeah,” she responded.
“Follow me,” said Bee. Both Bee and Misty got up and turned towards the door.
“Nibs ain’t the only one good at electronics and computers,” said Tina.
“Sorry,” said Bee.
“No worries,” responded Tina.
“Angelique, show the others the rest of the apartments on this level.” Misty stood and led Nibs and Tina out of the door.
“Ok Misty,” responded Angelique.
Tina and Nibs followed Misty and Bee into Apartment 3, they entered the main living room. They saw Bee stepping on to a raised pedestal to sit in a laid back chair. Above it was a collection of some advanced looking electronics.
Nibs looked at it and quizzically asked, “Neural feed?”
“Not quite,” replied Bee as she picked up a small fibre optic cable and slipped it into a port just under her right ear.
“Neural induction,” replied Misty. “Very advanced.”
Bee then picked up a strange looking item from a shelf behind where the head rested. She placed it on her head and then moved it around slightly as if settling it.
It looked like a fashion item that one of the new rich would wear. It consisted on three prongs, one running down both sides of the head and over the top in the centre. Suddenly surrounding Bee appeared a holographic representation of a control system.
“The entire chair, the three interlinked dual processor boards over there, and the 4048terra gigs of active storage are connected to a full NetDeck suite along with a few non-released pieces of software from some very good friends of mine,” replied Misty who was standing behind a large desk which had, what looked like to her, a Net Interface Control Centre. On the desk was seven monitors and five extra computers and various other pieces of equipment most of it was off. “You ready yet dear?”
“Yeah now.”
After a couple of seconds of quiet as the software executed the various functions it had to do before a person went active NetRiding. Flashing up the screen were a stream of very fast characters.

Tina who stood with Misty was looking at the screen and as the words, commands and parimeters scrolled up the screen. She was in shock as her eyes were actually reading the words as they flew up the screen, but her brain was working fast enough to actually understand them. She had no idea as to what they meant, but she knew what each one was. After a few seconds she looked away and blinked a few times and then looked at Bee as she was also looking at the list of commands.

Nibs walked so she could see the computers and monitors and saw the screen Misty was looking at was displaying a small room with an open doorway. “Net access opened, integrating digital subprograms, analogue-to-digital conversion of baseline thought processes,” said Misty and she paused for a few and as the screen started to display items again. Misty continued to read from the monitor. “Initializing graphics.” The holographic changed to that of the room and stood in the middle was a figure that walked towards the exit.
Misty turned to where Tina and her were standing watching the various operations and actions. “The head gear Bee is wearing is a neural induction helmet. As Bee thinks about walking she sees herself walking, even though she is sitting in the chair. The fibre optic cable is so the system can monitor Bee’s health and also provide system information directly to the user’s optic nerves.”
“Bloody hell!” Nibs said and turned to face Misty, her face was one of utter shock. “A couple of the Tech Journals I get have said that this type of control was decades away.”
“Not if you know the right people Nibs.” Misty smiled and turned back to look at Bee in the middle of the room.
Bee said from the rig, “What attack programs have I got loaded?”
“Standard Combat Alpha,” replied Misty.
“Load Close Zulo Misty,” requested Bee.
“No problem,” replied Misty and typed a few keys on the keyboard and on the screen was displayed the current actions. When the data files were loaded Misty said, “It’s loaded.”
Then Bee raised her finger, pressed some unseen thing and a menu appeared. She then scrolled down it until she reached the entries for motorbike and one appeared next to her, she climbed on and drove away.
After a few minutes she arrived at the area she wanted to go.
“Nibs, Tina. Do you see the doors on the front of the buildings?” asked Bee.
“Yeah we can, Bee,” Nibs replied.
“They are the entryways to different net hubs, inside the single door are lots of doors, some open, some closed, where the owners of the computers or networks access the net from. The big tower blocks normally indicate Corporate Hubs.”
“Right,” she responded. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Tina nod in reply as well.
The scene that was displayed looked like a busy street with cars, people and various items moving around.
“Here we are,” said Bee whilst she was standing in front of a 10-storey building. “Drop off the system clone Misty.”
“Will do Bee,” replied Misty and after a few seconds of very quiet noise, an exact duplicate of Bee appeared; which walked into the building, the screen, Misty was looking at, split in two. On one side was the original, the other - the clone. The clone’s image reduced to a small window in the top left corner. In the main screen Bee climbed back on to her bike again and headed off down the street. Very soon she pulled up outside a tall office block, went down the alleyway and approached a small door in the alleyway, which she opened and walked in through. Misty then said as Bee was entering a room. “Our backdoor into Narrizan Inc.” After entering a small room, she accessed the personnel name files for all the people who worked in the site.
After a few minutes of information flashing up the screen as Bee read the pile of personnel files, Bee left the building. Outside after closing the door she then dropped the menu down and pressed the very top item and the holographic display disappeared and Bee removed the helmet and then pulled the fibre-optic cable from her neck.
“That was a good run, is the clone still running Misty?”
After checking the screens, “Yes it is Bee. It looks like the program worked.”

*****

Sandra and the rest of the group followed Angelique, Rachel and Grezt as they had shown the group the armoury and training facilities they had access to. It was impressive coupled with the fact that they had an active firing range and combat house.
“Anyone want to have a go?” asked Angelique.
“Me!!” both Paul and her said together.
“Grab a couple of weapons and load up on magazines and grenades and follow me, the rest of you go in to the firing range and watch the fun on the monitors.”
“All the targets are cardboard and none of the active weapons are armed,” said Angelique said staring at Grezt.
“I’ll make sure now.” Staring back then she disappeared into the house.
“Ok you two, have you seen the show Echo Tactical?” asked Angelique.
“Yes we have,” answered Paul.
“Treat it like the hostage rescue. Kick door, grenade, and then in and shoot. One high, one low.”
The pair nodded enthusiastically.
“Right then, let’s play.”
Both of them loaded up with a HK10SD each and 9mm high-powered pistol, eight magazines for the HK10, four for the pistol, and 6 flash-bang grenades each. They both put on active goggles and combat helmets. Angelique went behind them both and plugged the camera and communications into the digital transmitter.
“You guys got the pictures and sound?” shouted Angelique.
“Yeah we have,” came back the reply.
“Good, let’s play.”
As both of them walked up to the door and prepared to go in, Paul took one of the flash bangs out and read the fuse length, which read 5 seconds, which was printed on the bottom. He moved to stand to one side, she stood facing the door. He brought the flash bang up and pulled the pin and said, “Three seconds on my mark sis.”
“Done bro.” she responded. He released the safety catch and when Sandra had counted three seconds she brought her boot up and banged the door open she then flattened herself against the opposite wall.
As the door opened he sent the flash bang in and as it was in the air it detonated. The second the flash bang had gone off, the pair span around the frame with him standing and Sandra knelt down. She shot twice, hitting both the armed targets followed up by four more from his HK10. After they had secured that room they went to the next door and reversed the actions. He kicked the door and Sandra sent the flash bang in.
After completing the course they both came out, and they had evil smiles on their faces and were very happy. Waiting outside the door were everyone, and they all had smiles.
“Enjoy that?” asked Angelique.
“Yeah, loved it,” they both said.
“I think you may be back here a lot practising. The house is fully equipped with battle-ready target dummies.”
“That sounds great.”
At that Misty, Nibs, Tina and Bee walked out of the high tech lab, “I think it is a go, so meet back here in a couple of weeks and we will start to plan the raid, I think it could be successful” said Misty.
“Yeah,” responded the group, and all of them traipsed back into the living room of the main apartment, and spent the rest of the evening getting to know the other team and enjoying the company of fellow ghosts.

*****

When the guys had arrived back at Homebase, Darla and the twins unfolded the sofa bed and Gary got cushions out of chairs and set them up as his bed. Nibs grabbed the tablet and took it with her to the bedroom. The others all wandered to their rooms.
After a short while, Abs knocked on Sandra’s door and asked, “You two awake?”
“Yes we are,” Nibs replied, “Come in you two.”
After Abs and Tina quietly walked in, Abs asked her, “How did you know it was the two of us and not just me?”
“I heard you two whispering in the corridor about not waking Paul, Gary, Darla and the twins up.”
“Ok, but how did you hear us through a closed door?” responded Tina.
“I have no idea,” she said, “but both I and Sandra want to tell about some changes in the two of us .”
“And we two want to tell you about some things we’ve been suffering from,” said Abs.
“Ok,” said Sandra. “You first.”
The pair sat on the two easy chairs which they dragged over to the where the pair was sitting.
“Ok,” said Abs. “It started a few months ago, my vision has gotten far superior than it used to be. I can see things clearly at far greater distance; my hearing has also gotten far better. I could hear Paul, Gary and Darla talking during the takedown, and I could hear a couple of security officers talking earlier,” said Abs.
“I’m getting similar things happen to me,” said Tina.
“I overheard the female figure from the first stop talking to that controller, I know what escaped and they where trying to contain,” said Sandra.
“What was it?” asked Abs.
“It’s one of these,” Nibs said and showed everyone what an artist’s impression of a conservator looked like. “It looks like someone had been able to draw one from memory.” She then scrolled the screen and slightly further down was one in what looked like full combat flow.
“Hell. That thing looks nasty,” said Sandra.
“From the write up it is nasty, four arms, tail, mouth, claws, plus skin that’s like natural armour, and it’s supposed to be able to withstand a full burst from a heavy rail gun. This may also be of interest as well, I have the full specs of the assault rifle. It’s far nastier than even Misty said.”
“What Misty described weren’t bloody nice,” said Tina.
“Yeah I know,” she said. “When Misty said it was a plasma weapon, I remember seeing some posts about a weapon that was stolen from the Academy, a secretive research centre that only does research for Street Ghosts and ghost teams. Its weapons and equipment are far superior to what is available on open market.” She paused to accept the Cambar cigarette Sandra had been smoking. “The weapon is a plasma assault rifle, it’s quite capable of cutting through nearly all current body armour and quite likely the armour of Darra Von’s military vehicles. To give you some idea of the technology available to some Street Ghost teams, Black Light coating for armour, armour quite capable of surviving a burst from an MA series weapon.”
“Feck!” exclaimed Tina, Abs and Sandra together.
“And from what you have described to me it sounds like we are all, all four of us, undergoing the adept transformation. The one thing which is strange there’s none of the usual side-effects though, the increased breathing, very fast reactions all the time. It looks as if we have a way of controlling it. I’ve been feeling similar things to all of you, improved hearing and such, how far it will go, I have no idea,” she said, “I studied adepts eight months ago. A couple of people, not ghosts I may add, asked me to look into adepts to see what had already been done in the way of research. I think with the aim of producing a paper or similar into weather or not the Adept Transformation could be cured or if they could stave off the burnout that all adepts seem to suffer from after six to seven years.”
“I know the research you are talking about,” said Tina, “I wrote a general studies essay on adepts and the lives they lead.”
“Not nice is it?” she asked.
“No,” responded Tina.
“I think we keep this a secret from everyone else until we know what is happening to us far better. I’ve emailed Tiamus and have asked if he would meet me, at least to discuss some of these things.”
Tina then said, “Nibs, earlier at Misty’s you weren’t on a come down. I’ve been in enough combats to know that wasn’t a comedown.”
“No it weren’t, I have a phobia of snakes and the one at Misty’s freaked me a bit.”
“Good,” responded Sandra, “I thought it was serious.”
“Depends on how serious you think a phobia is after being bitten by a Spinnayan Ridgehead.”
“You’re kidding,” said Abs as she passed Abs the Cambar cigarette.
“No I’m not, I was out learning how to survive with a couple of friends, one reared up and bit me in the leg. Thankfully the adult with us, Nimbo, had a dose of anti-venom. Then a few weeks later a tree snake falls on me and hisses right in my ear and I freak. Thankfully due to other friends I made on my journeys I’m able to control it when one is in captivity and I can see the case.”
Abs and Tina both left and Sandra and her both lay down to sleep. After a few minutes Sandra was asleep, she got up and took the tablet off standby and connected to the net. She knew that her email would bring a response very quickly from Tiamus. It did, on the screen flashed the messenger window, ‘Hi you, how can I help you?’ was displayed, Nibs typed a return, ‘Voice??’ Tiamus replied, ‘yes’ and switched on the voice system and plugged the microphone and earpiece into the tablet so not to wake Sandra.
“Hi Nibs,” said Tiamus.
“Hi to you too.”
“I still remember the conversations we had when I was researching things for Damien, How much of what we talked about is true?”
“All of it,” said Tiamus. “The rumours about the Academy being a research centre is partly true; it’s a school for the best of the best Street Ghosts. You Nibs have been selected to attend.”
“What I am going to tell you now must not go any further.”
“One problem, Sandra my life partner overheard a lieutenant taking to a controller in a van at an incident earlier this evening; we know Echo Tech Inc was trying to destroy a Conservator.”
The link went quiet; Tiamus said “Feck,” he paused, “How much you planning on telling everyone else?”
“Abs and Tina also know, and they have been suffering from what I think may be the first signs of Adept transformation, except without the normal side effects of increased energy burn.”
“How far do you think it’s progressed?”
“Improved vision, hearing in Abs, Tina, and Sandra, my reaction times are improving, drastically. I’m almost seeing things as they happen, and reacting to it as well.”
“We need to meet, me, you, Sandra, Abs, and Tina. I have some things that you must hear, and I will leave it up to you how much you tell the rest of the group.” Tiamus paused. “I’m not exactly free until the night of Ulleam 17th Auar. I’m currently training for a major street fight with Surabon.”
“Ulleam 17th Auar, that’s my birthday. Where’s the fight going to happen?”
“Club Millana in Bariskin District.”
“I’ll see you then. Chat to you soon Tiamus.”
“It ain’t Tiamus; I use it as a cover when I am ghosting sometimes; my real name and the name I fight under is Richard Chancer. I hope to see you that evening, I’ll let the bouncers know you and your friends will be coming, just go to the main door and say you are guests of Richard Chancer and they will let you through. Chat to you soon Nibs, and be careful.”

Chapter 14 - Explorations

20th Juwar
The morning after the trip to Misty’s, Nibs woke early, mind you, she hadn’t exactly slept either. She had spent most of the evening thinking about things she was told by Richard C, from what research she had done after Sandra had fallen asleep and the chat to Richard. ‘How much of what we discussed during Nick’s time with Raiders was true, Richard said all of it, was Richard preparing her for something back then? Is the fact I’ve been selected to attend the Academy mean the rest of the Vixens are going. I’m not going anywhere with out Sandra.’ She got up and a half-smoked a blunt, sat on the edge of the bedside table. ‘My head is spinning and the head ache’, “Fecking hell, would someone stop the jackhammer” she whispered to no one. When she actually did move she did it purposefully, she wanted to see the area, sightsee, but not the tourist sights. If she was to live here for a while she wanted to know where she lived, and the only way to do that was to hit the pavements and walk, and very soon she would be able to use a bike of some kind, but today she wanted to know where she lived.
She then spent the next thirty minutes getting ready for the day. She put on a pair of nightcamo combat pants, black tight top, her leather jacket, which still had to be embroidered with her symbol, the Black Fairy. She picked up her shoulder holster and made sure her pistol had a full magazine and four spare ones too. She debated whether or not to carry the HK, but decided against it, she opted for her two short staffs, given to her by Jum-Fu when she had left Jarrzar, her short staves and cross were the only two gifts she had kept; all the others she had left behind or given to people who would take care of them. The last two items she grabbed was her PDU, which she took from its charger on her bedside table, and Sandra’s keys, which would mean she could lock up.
Just as she closed the bedroom door she heard Tina wake. She then realised Tina would be moving towards the kitchen very soon. She stepped down the hallway carrying her boots; she would put them on when she had closed the back door. She was also hoping that Tina wouldn’t realise someone was leaving. She closed the backdoor just as the door to Tina and Abs’ room was opened. When she heard the door to the living room close she slid the key in and locked the backdoor. She then put her boots on, turned and walked down the side of the house and up onto the minor road that run in front of the house.
She realised that this exploration was going to be different, as she knew she would probably not be moving again for a long while, but it also would tell her the quick escape routes should things get hairy at times. She took out her PDU, opened the local area map pages, found the house and zoomed out one level; from this level she saw turning left would be an interesting direction to go.
She started a brisk walk across the street towards the main road. As she approached the main road one of the two older youths she had seen yesterday when leaving for Misty’s came out of her front door and called, “Hang on.”
She stopped and waited for her to catch up.
“Hi,” she said when she had caught up, “I’m Amy, you are?”
“Nibola Calton, Nibs to my friends.”
“Hi Nibs,” and after a short pause, “I remember you now, both me and my brother Bill saw you yesterday riding pillion with Sandra.”
“Yeah you did.”
From what she could see the clothes were similar to the ones Nick had worn, non descript and the sheer fact she was carrying a rucksack she looked like she was going to school. “You off to school?”
“Yeah, one of the City-run dumps. I wish Sam, my stepmother, hadn’t disappeared. We lost her income; she was a PA for a Rotork VP, which paid for me to attend the Rotork Academy.”
“Any idea why she left?”
“No, none. Duggie, my dad, does his best but it isn’t enough some weeks. Bill, my older brother, run’s errands for the dealers on the corner over there, so we can get some food on the table some days. I know one of the regulars wants to get in to my knickers.”
“Bad luck on the Sam issue. You got an up-to-date photo I could borrow. I’ll put the picture up on a few missing person galleries I know of.” She looked more closely at her face and read the expression and manner as one of being depressed with things. She did also wonder if the high school she attended wasn’t helping matters.
“Thanks, the Vixens are some of the best and nicest people I know.”
“Thanks. Hey does Bill attend school?”
“Yeah, if he can be bothered to.”
The pair of them started to walk towards the corner; Nibs stopped and looked up and down the main road, “Just thinking where I am going to go.”
”I’m going towards the fuel-station on 827th Avenue.”
“Ok,” she replied and joined Amy as she walked slowly in the direction of the fuel-station. When the pair reached the first secondary road junction on the opposite side, the pair crossed the main road.
“How come I haven’t seen you with the Vixens before yesterday evening?”
“I only joined the Vixens last Frodar.”
“Oh that party they had, both me and Bill had been invited but Bill was out delivering some drugs, and I didn’t feel like socialising.”
As the pair walked down the secondary road the type of building changed from the wood facia single storey buildings like the one the Vixen’ lived in to at least two storey brick built semi-detached, and the odd single one on its own, town houses. Most had underhouse garages a few had an old car or in most cases car wrecks, not much good for much other than spare parts. In some places the small gardens that families tried to cultivate look pretty nice.
“Not to worry. Many more parties to be had.”
She offered Amy the Cambar cigarette she had been smoking, “I had better warn you it’s pure.”
“Hell why not,” Amy said and stopped and sat on a low wall and started to cry. She sat beside her and wrapped her arm around her so to comfort her.
“What’s wrong, Amy?” she said in a soothing tone.
“I hate going to school just ’cause of where I live, right next door to one of the major drug dealers in the area. I get picked on, mostly name-calling and such. Most of the school thinks I am one of his whores, as he owns nearly all of the neighbourhood, only my home and where you are living are free of his clutches, bar Bill. I keep being asked to get a free sample.” The tears were still streaming down her face.
“Tell you what. I’ll pop to the school one lunchtime and we’ll see how the bullies handle someone like me.”
“Would you do that for me?”
“Yeah, I was also the target for bullies at school. That was until I had finished my exams. Pay back is a bitch.”
“You, bullied, no way?”
“Yeah, anyway you have a bus to catch. If you have any academic problems pop over and I’ll see if I and the Vixens can help you. I was a straight-A student in a few of my subjects, History and Chemistry being two.”
“Thanks,” Amy said and the two of them started to walk again. They reached the fuel-station, as the school bus was just pulling up.
“Hey next time they give you shit tell me.”
“I will, thanks again.”
She just smiled and started walking again. She turned down the secondary road that ran beside the fuel-station, then right and walked into a convenience store to buy something to eat.
The store was a square shape inside, with the backdoor in the back left corner; the walls where lined with magazines and papers, pens, and other things a small convenience store normally sold. She walked up to the cold-cabinet and quickly chose a sausage roll. At the counter she paid for it and left the shop. After leaving the shop she continued on her walk and turned left at the next secondary road junction and walked along that road.

*****

About halfway through her intended walk, she turned a corner and found herself in a cul-de-sac, at the end of which was a large building. It looked like a traditional place of worship, it had a small spire sticking from the roof at the front. She had seen a few on her world travels and read about similar places in religious studies and history, but never seen one up close, she heard singing from the open doors.
She thought, ‘That’s beautiful singing,’ and decided to take a look inside. She opened the inner doors quietly, crept in and found a chair at the back, and just listened to the music, singing and the last thirty minutes of the service.
At the end of the service, as she was about to get up and leave, she caught sight of Abbey also sat at the back. Abbey was wearing a pair of baggies and a plain black short-sleeved top, other than that she looked very much like normal, not the Gangrel she portrayed in school. She got up and went through the door where most of the people had gone. She wandered over, peered though and saw the people who had been sat in the main hall chatting over drinks and biscuits. She saw Abbey standing in the corner, chatting with the person who been standing up the front leading the service. She entered the smaller hall, wandered over to Abbey and said, “Boo,” in her ear.
“Oh, hi,” Abbey said startled, after calming down, she continued, “Hi Nibs, didn’t expect to see you here?”
“No I was out walking the area and heard the singing and music and got drawn to listen.”
“Pastor, allow me to introduce Nibs. Nibs, our pastor Dyane Marttan.”
“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Nibs,” said Dyane to her. “But I shall leave you and your friend to chat,” and the pastor nodded at her and walked away.
“You want a drink Nibs?” asked Abbey.
“Yeah, ok,” she responded and followed Abbey to the hatch where the teas where being served. The hall was light and airy with about fifteen people stood and sat chatting away. After getting a coffee, Abbey and her turned and went to where the mily, sugar and biscuits were, sorting out the sweetness and colours of coffee they wanted. Then they both wandered outside via the side door to the hall where Abbey lit a roll-up.
“What are you doing here really, Nibs?” Abbey asked.
“Honestly, I was out walking the neighbourhood and turned into this street to see if it had an alleyway and heard the singing and music.”
“K, I only ask as I think I am the only Gangrel who attends a Chribian-based church. I know Tina and Paul are both Pagano in outlook. I did think that was the outlook for most of the Vixens.” Abbey took a drag and then took a mouthful of coffee.
“Not me. I follow the Ajarn and that area’s faiths more than the western ones, but I am always up for learning more about the world’s faiths.”
“Arh, so you are open to all faiths?”
“Yes in a way. I feel it’s a part of my journey to learn, combine and understand all faiths.”
“Interesting,” Abbey responded as they were joined by another member of the congregation
“Hi Abbey, who’s your friend?”
“Hi Alan, this is Nibs, someone who is walking the route of the explorer.”
“Right,” Alan said and smiled.
“I think I had better get going,” she said and started to walk towards the front of the church.
“Hang on Nibs, can you pass a message to the Vixens from the Himens.”
“Yeah, no worries.”
“The Aces assaulted Himens' homebase yesterday evening, Tymean asked that I contact all Gangrel units and tell them. Tymean maybe petitioning Central over the assault, as it came during the rush-hour and there could have been civilian casualties. Thankfully very little damage was caused and no casualties were reported. It also looked like the Aces were using live ammo from the MGs mounted on their pickups.”
“Tell Tymean that I will let the Vixens know,” she said in response to Abbey’s statement about the Aces.
“Personally I think Tymean needs to declare a War zone on the Aces to finish this feud once and for all,” Abbey said.
“Ok,” she said and turned back toward the front of the church so she could start her walk back home.
She left the church, walked back down the minor road, turned left, then left again at the main road junction and continued up it, looking around at the various places. Most looked run-down but, a few did look cared for. She crossed the road and walked a short distance to a footpath, turned on to it, and walked to a local piece of open land. She headed for a bench seat nearest the route in and sat down so she could relax in the morning sun.
Thoughts kept whizzing through her mind, always coming back to the same few, the ones she had had this morning when she got up. A new one started to come to the fore as well, it was of an old woman in her 70s, and ‘Nick’ was walking through a Bazaar in native section of Baraish, Ne-U-Bar. She was being chased by a couple of people, ‘what did she say to me?’ She tried to re-call the words. Her edetic memory for conversations was excellent but she did need a reference point. ‘Got it,’ she thought. ‘That I was someone very important to the future, and that I had special gifts that would allow me to truly fight the evil that was coming. Why did those two guys ask me what she had said and told me to wait for them to return.’
After sitting and relaxing in the park for about thirty minutes, she got up and continued up the footpath towards the main road, where she crossed it and walked up another minor road; which contained similar housing to the ones on the street where Home base was. At the other end she turned left and walked down the secondary road towards the road where home base was.
After turning the last but one corner before she would be back on home street, she bumped into Andres Cutters, someone she knew from the work she did with the Cameron Raiders.
“Andres. What are you doing here?” she asked
“Do I know you?” replied Andres looking somewhat startled by the person standing in front of him.
“Yes you do, its researcher Nick.”
“Hello Nick??” He looked puzzled at Nibs.
“No, it’s now Nibola Calton or Nibs.”
“Ok, sorry, I’m reconning that building.” He pointed out the office block slightly down the street on the other side of the road.
“What for?” she asked
“A raid. My current team has information that an ex-associate of the team’s leader is trading in illegal goods and services.”
“Like?” she asked as she saw a group of people get out of a mini-bus and walk towards the front door. The door opened after a couple of seconds wait
“Not sure personally, it looks like it may include slaves and illegal cybernetics, possible bionetics as well.”
“Oh, not good.”
“No, not good.”
“I shall leave you to your intelligence gathering,” she said.
“Thanks, chat to you soon Nick, sorry Nibs,”
“That’s better, yeah chat to you soon.”
When she got back, she entered the house via the front door and saw she been out for three hours. “Bloody hell,” she said, “Three hours I only wanted to be out an hour.”
“Where you been then?” asked Tina as she looked up from looking at some web news story on some illegal biotech that was being sold to unsuspecting people.
“Out having a walk exploring the area,” she responded.
She wandered over to where she had left her laptop on charge last night, picked it up and pressed the power button which brought the laptop out of hibernation. She put the laptop down on the breakfast bar.
“I hope you don’t mind I borrow your tablet from your room?”
“No hun, just be careful as it’s the only place I have some project work.”
“Ok, I will be. I’m only looking at news stories from one of the street news services.”
“After last night’s chat, when I woke up I came out here and felt the urge to pick it up and start to look at the wider world, rather than the one the papers fill us with.”
“Which one you looking at, some are better than others?”
Abs wandered in wearing her coveralls and went straight out the front door which she hooked open.

Sandra very soon walked out of the corridor, very much awake and ready for doing something. What, she had no idea yet. “Where’d you go babe?” she asked Nibs when she saw her sitting at the breakfast bar.
“Out exploring hun. I bumped into Abbey at a local Chribian church,” replied Nibs. “She asked me to pass on a message to you guys,” and Nibs then went on to tell Sandra and Tina what Abbey had told her.
“Shit,” she said, “I hope he don’t before the last game of the season, Tymean is a little hot headed at times.”
“What?” asked Abs.
“Hi hun,” responded Tina and quickly filled Abs in on what had been said.

Nibs opened up the browser on the laptop, logged into her email account and checked her emails. She saw that she had three new emails; one from Jum, one from Wong and a spam message. Nibs opened the one from Jum —
It’s been a while. Both me and Wong had thought you had forgotten the two of us.
How’s things, still travelling the world or has your parents stopped????
Both of us are normally online if we ain’t working.
Chat to you very soon both us hope.
Jum.
The email from Wong was similar, but she added I hope you have found a partner?
She looked at the reply addresses for both the emails and saw they had been sent from a BlackNet account which showed that they both had messenger logged in.
“Tina, can I have the tablet please?” she asked.
“Yeah, no problems,” replied Tina, and passed the tablet to her. After passing the laptop back to Tina, she opened the control panel, selected language options, then changed the input system to Jarrzarian. She then sat in front of the fireplace, opened her ghost messenger and started a conference. She then invited both Jum and Wong to the conference room. They both accepted and displayed was, ‘Hi Nibs??’
She inputted, ‘LOL you 2, it’s Nick,’ then after a short pause she continued to scribe, ‘I’ve changed since I left Jarrzar. I no longer go by that name, I go by the name Nibola Calton or Nibs for short.’
‘Nibola Nibs Calton,’ replied Jum. ‘Interesting name, have you gone full-time by some chance?’
‘Yes,’ she sent back. Sandra knelt behind her arm and took a look at the tablet screen.
“Native Jarrzarian?” asked Sandra .
“Yeah hun,” she replied. “At some point I’ll teach you the basics.”
She then sent, ‘How good is your basic?’
Both of them sent back, ‘Not too bad, why?’
‘I have friends here who don’t read Jarrzarian.’
‘Ok,’ was sent back as the reply.
She then put the input system back to basic and sent, ‘That’s better.’
Wong sent, ‘Who’s with you then?’
‘My partner Sandra is currently reading the screen as we chat.’
‘Ah,’ came the reply.
‘She says hi,’ she entered, ‘As do the rest of the Vixens.’
‘Say hi back,’ entered Wong.
‘How are things over there?’ she scribed.
‘Could be better, the corps are hurting a lot of people with price rises.’
‘Very much like here except they ride roughshod over people’s rights as well.’ At this comment Sandra smiled and kissed her on the forehead.
‘I hope someone or a group are going to take the fight to the corps soon,’ sent Jum, ‘As it won’t be long before they all but run the countries of the world.’
Nibs typed the reply, ‘It would cost them too much of their profit margin to actually run the countries for the time being, Naban has been taken over by Rotork Theaban. I think a lot of corporations will see how things pan out with them.’
‘That is true,’ Wong replied.
‘Sod the talk about corps and governments. U planning on visiting us here in Jarrzar soon. I know a few of the people you met at the party wouldn’t mind seeing you again and saying hi,’ sent Jum.
‘At some point I will,’ she replied, ‘I have no idea when though. Is it possible for you to send me the legend of Samr?’
‘Yeah no probs, we’ll email you it tomorrow sometime.’
After another twenty minutes of catching up with Jum and Wong, they both were tired and needed to get some sleep as the last few days had been stressful.
She put the tablet on standby and placed it on the coffee-table. She then headed to get changed into some clothes she could get dirty with oil and grease. After changing she headed outside to join Abs working on her bike.
When she walked out she could see Abs had removed the fuel-tank and had the main drive-chain off the rear wheel. She was about to remove the gearbox cover so she could free the chain, which would allow her to remove the engine proper. She could see the timing chain casing was off from her attack on it on Torbar morning.
“You out here to help Nibs?” asked Abs.
“Yes I am,” she replied.
“Good. Go and get me the hoist from inside the garage.”
“Ok,” she said with a smile, turned and went into the garage. It followed the outside walls of the house. To the right as she walked in was an area marked off by black heavy sheeting, she realised that was the growing area. In the main area hung on the back wall were tool racks, some of the tools were missing, she realised that they were the tools Abs was using. Parked to the left were Sandra’s, Paul’s and Tina’s bikes, Just behind them were large floor-standing metal cupboards, all of them had stout heavy locks, locking the doors closed. She had an idea that they contained the Vixen’s firearms. Located next to a large worktable was the hoist Abs wanted.
She wheeled it out to the driveway and lowered the two slings, making sure that it was not going to roll. She then fixed the slings to the engine block as Abs removed the locking nut of the chain sprocket. Abs worked a screwdriver behind the cog and levered it off, until it dropped away and went clang on the tarmac. Abs unbolted the two bolts from her side and passed the tool to her so she could remove the one bolt on her side and the bolt at the rear of the engine.

Abs went into the garage and took, from a rack hung from the ceiling, a flat trolley, which she placed on the opposite side to Nibs and the hoist. “Lift the engine up a couple of inches so I can swing it out and then lower it to the trolley.”

“Ok,” Nibs replied and operated the winch mechanism which lifted the engine three inches, which allowed Abs the room to pull the engine out, as the engine swung out she released the tension until it sat on the trolley. At this point Abs smiled and removed the slings. As Abs pushed the engine into the workshop, she followed pushing the hoist.
When the hoist was beside the large workbench Abs released the hoist mechanism and placed the webbing under the trolley, she then re-hooked the webbing to the hoist’s hook. “Can you lift the entire thing to the table and make sure the wheels are in the holes.”
“Yeah,” she responded seeing the four holes in the bench top. She operated the hoist, and began to lift the entire thing, engine and trolley. When it was high enough she swung the whole thing around and lowered it so the trolley’s wheels were in the four holes.

Abs went outside and gathered the tools she had used to remove the engine from the frame and placed them on top of a large metal tool box which she wheeled over to the bench and opened the third draw. She removed a clamp tool which she placed on the top of the engine and locked the sprocket that operated the cams in place.

“Why the clamp?” she asked.
“I hope its going save on recalibrating the rocker arms when we put the timing chain back on.”
“Right.”
Beep, beep, beep came from a small box on the wall, then Tina’s voice was heard, “Coffee you two.”
Abs walked over to the intercom, then pressed the green button and said, “Thanks sweet, be right up.”
“Ok hun,” was heard after Abs had released the button. Abs then grabbed a jar of de-greaser and the pair wandered out of the garage and up the stairs to the front door, which was still open from earlier.
Inside Sandra was stood at the breakfast bar chopping vegetables, Paul was sitting at the computer working and Tina was sitting on the sofa looking at the digital pictures Sandra and her had taken the day before. She was also drinking what looked like a cup of coffee. The percolator jug was three quarters full stood invitingly next to the cooker.
“What you doing hun?” she asked Sandra as she kissed Sandra on the right cheek.
“Dinner hun,” replied Sandra.
”What?” she asked expectantly.
“Wait and see,” replied Sandra.
Abs said to her, “You going to wash those hands?”
“Yeah I am,” she replied and walked to the sink. She scooped out some of the de-greaser then washed her hands and dried them on the towel Abs passed her.
Abs and her then went and poured out two coffees. She opened the fridge and took out the mily carton and poured some into her coffee. She then offered the carton to Abs who accepted it and did the same. She then scooped two spoonfuls of sugar into her cup, then stirred the coffee while walking to one of the arm chairs and sat down.
Abs soon joined her by sitting on the sofa. She picked up the digital projector remote and using it switched it on then selected one of the entertainment channels which was showing a repeat of some action series based around some elite corporate security team, who in this episode was hunting a serial rapist and murderer who was rampaging through the corporation’s enclaves.
Paul turned round and said, “Nibs I may have found you your bike.”
“Mm,” she responded, got up and walked over to the computer. She saw on the screen the bike. It was a Carddra 950gSX. “Oh very nice,” she said when she saw the picture, “how much are they selling if for?”
“The email that it came with said nothing, the person who wants it must collect though,” replied Paul.
“Who’s selling it?” asked Abs.
“Tybias Mitten,” replied Paul, “the email says he’s just upgraded and wants it to go to a good home, he remembered how much the Vixens love their bikes and so we have first refusal on it.”
“I’ll take it,” she said.
“I’ll take you Nibs,” said Tina. “I know where Tybias lives. It’s just over the river in Wester Park.”
“Ok. I’ll email him back and tell him,” Paul responded. “When you going to get it?”
“When is good for you Nibs?” asked Tina
“How long is the work on your bike going to take Abs?” she asked.
“A couple more hours, I would guess,” replied Abs.
“This evening then I guess,” responded Paul.
“Yeah I think so,” she said then returned to the arm chair to finish her coffee. When Abs and her had finished their coffees they both washed their cups up and proceeded to return to the garage where Abs loaded her pipe, lit it, then took a couple of drags on it. She then passed it to Nibs along with the lighter. She accepted it and finished it then passed the pipe back to Abs.
“Right then back to work. Can you lift the engine itself up as we’ve got to remove the bottom casing, so I can see how much damage has been done?”
“Ok,” she responded. She turned and unclipped the webbing from the hook, then fed the webbing from under the trolley. She then secured the engine with the webbing and operated the hoist to lift the engine up so Abs could remove the oil drain plug and casing. She did after a bit of working the drain plug, when she had placed a large bowl under the plug to catch and reuse the oil.
“Nibs can I ask you something?”
“Yeah, is it personal?”
“No it’s not personal, that much I do know. You seen to have life experiences the rest of us don’t have. Do you understand what is happening to me, Tina, Sandra and yourself?”
“In answer to that no I don’t. You know yesterday night after you and Tina went back to bed.”
“Yes.”
“I couldn’t sleep, I went and did some reading of a few sites dealing with something called the Conspiracy, some of the things I found out scared the hell out of me. I also had a chat with Richard Chancer, he said he wants to meet the four of us in the near future to talk to us about the things that are happening. He can’t see us before the 17th Auar which just happens to be my birthday, I was kind of thinking about going to a local club that night and watching him fight some guy in a street fight.”
“Sounds like fun, then after the fight having this chat with Richard.”
“Yeah that’s pretty much my idea, what I do know is that Richard wouldn’t say that he needs to talk to us unless it was very serious. I didn’t tell you some of the things that have been happening to me. I am reacting to things much faster than it may seem and I have been for a couple of months now. It normally only happens with I am either very angry or just generally pissed off with things. My skin is tougher than it use to be, I can’t accidentally cut myself at all. Even stroking a knife through a clenched fist doesn’t even mark the skin. I could have done so much more damage to McKrudder. I know I could have killed him with a single blow very easily. From the research I’ve done, it all points to me becoming an Adept at least but the symptoms the rest of you have been suffering from are similar to the ones I first noticed.”
“That is interesting Nibs. So what you are saying you think we all are Adepts?”
“Yeah, that’s pretty much the long and short of it.”
Abs bent down and took a look at the oil coming out of the drain hole. “I have had the same dream a couple of times over the last couple of months,” said Abs.
“Ok, tell me the dream, I may not be able to interrupt it but it can be better to have two people look at it.”
“Ok,” Abs said, “It starts with a group of six youngish people slowly moving down a corridor towards a big set of double doors, then suddenly we are inside a room fighting in close combat using weapons that look as if they are glowing. The biggest difference is that the things we are fighting, they ain’t exactly human. The one I’m fighting is suited in some form of heavy armour and it’s swinging a staff like weapon with a glass case on the end, the case contains a small worm like creature that looks like it is writhing around in agony. I’m blocking most of the strikes and dodging the ones I don’t block.”
“Do you recognize any of the other combatants?”
“Yes I do, initially I saw only Tina and Sandra, but I had the dream again last night and I recognized you in it. The other two people are fuzzy, the room itself is also fuzzy so that don’t help in telling us where we are. What’s strange is that you are fighting a large creature with lots of tentacles and you are moving so fast, that your strikes are just blurs. I also noticed for the first time last night that I seem to be quietly chanting something, I don’t understand the words, but I do know it’s similar to the chants Tina and Paul use when conducting their Pagano ceremonies.”
“Very interesting,” she said, “Can you describe the other creatures?”
“Not really, I’m concentrating on the one I’m fighting, at least one of them is human and is fighting Sandra.”
Abs bent down and looked at the oil plug hole which was now dripping the last of the oil. “Nibs can you pass me a 10mm alum key please.”
“No problem,” she said and walked around to the tool box and found the tool on the top of the box. She then passed it to Abs after tapping her on the shoulder to indicate that she had found the tool.
Abs nodded and took the alum key and started to remove the four nuts that held the crank casing in place. After she had loosened the last one she lowered the casing and laid it on the top of the bowl. She then fished out the timing chain from the casing and saw that at least one of the links had broken and a few others were bent. “Ok, that may explain the engine power loss I’ve felt as well.”
After laying the chain out, Abs saw it weren’t just a couple of links, “Oh well I’m going to need a new timing chain. Which I may ask Tina or you to get when you two go and get your bike later.”
“No problem, does Tina know where to get it from?”
“Yeah, Tybias’,” responded Abs and continued before she could ask; “he’s one of our main bike parts supplier.”
“Arh, ok.”
“If he’s not got one in, he will know where to get one from. Change of subject as all of our bikes have at least two hidden areas where we store our firearms and as I am the Vixens expert when it comes to welding. I was wondering what is your preferred firearm, most of us like the M22, it’s effective at the ranges we operate at and has a high fire rate when in full auto mode.”
“Don’t know, I had never even handled a pistol other than ones supplied with computer games before Frodar night.”
“You’re kidding me. Yet you’re a full Street Ghost,” replied Abs.
“I know. I’m an expert at armed and unarmed combat, coupled with my speed, strength and toughness, means I’m more than capable of handling drug dealers or their friends.”
“Ok,” said Abs. “You handled the M22 pretty well through I must say, you’re a natural with firearms I think.”
“Thanks. I have to thank virtual games for those skills,” she responded, “I liked the HK I used on Frodar and the M22 don’t handle to bad, but I also like the one shot one kill methods of the sniper.”
”Same here, I’m the Vixens long range support on combat missions,” said Abs as she rolled a Cambar cigarette after cleaning the crap off her hands with a few paper towels.
“What sniper rifle do you use?” she asked.
“Zonal Firearms D-1000 with an x200 starlight scope.”
“Nice.”
“That’s a good point you’ve not seen our arsenal have you?”
“No I ain’t,” she responded.
Abs turned around, removed her wallet from her back pocket, then removed what looked like a smart card from it and inserted it into a slot on the top of the middle metal cupboard. She then pressed he thumb to a small scanner that appeared on the left down strip of the same cupboard. Very soon she heard a quiet clunk as the metal looking bolts retraced. Abs then opened all three cupboard doors to reveal the arsenal. Nibs walked around the work bench, she then saw the one weapon she loved to use when playing shoot-em-up games.
“Some one must organise getting you a set of keys and security cards too.”
“I didn’t think this weapon was available to the general public,” she said as she took it from the rack.
“What weapon?” asked Abs, as she poked her head round the corner, “Oh the Echo MA240. Yeah it is if you know the right people. Do you remember the chat on Torbar about gangs, missions, and weapons?”
“Yeah I do,” she responded.
“Meet one of the weapons Paul was talking about when he said he thought some gangs had access to corporate military weapon stores.”
“Arh. I understand now. Do you think anyone is going to mind if I use it?”
“Hell no! Its good some one is going to, Paul has said on a couple of occasions that he wanted to give it to the Gangrels main arsenal.”
She just smiled as she felt the weight of it, operated the action and slid a full side, side magazine home. The click of the magazine locking home was like heaven to her. She had played Bloodfest I, II, and III and rarely swapped weapons when she was able to pick the Echo MA240 up. She looked again in to the lockers and saw a double barrel and breach block just below where the MA240 had been. “What’s this?” she asked as she picked it out.
“That is the one thing people who play Bloodfest don’t know about, the MA240 is a multi weapon. That is the sniper conversion; we picked both the carbine and the sniper conversion kit off a dead body 10months ago when we proved for the forth time that the Aces are an arrogant bunch of fuck twits. I blew the back of the guy, who was using it head off at 400 yards with one of my wad cutters.”
“Oh nice,” she said over a giggle.
“It was nice to see the skull and brains splatter all over the Hunk.”
With that she just burst out laughing and said, “Oh I wish I had seen that.”
“Yeah it was fun as he couldn’t see any opposing forces, his three gang mates just ran before I could get a bead on them.”
“How come?” she asked as Tina walked into the garage carrying her jacket and communication system.
“He thought he could sneak up on out flank that day. I kind of told him it was a bad idea.”
“What us vs. The Aces?” inquired Tina.
“Yes when we got the MA240 multi weapon.”
“Oh that little battle. That one was fun, anyway you ready Nibs to get your bike, Tybias emailed us back and said we can pop over at anytime.”
“Yeah,” she responded.
“Oh can you ask Tybias if he’s got a timing chain for my bike, sweet?”
“Yeah, no worries hun.”
Tina chucked her jacket and communication system to her, after she had put the MA240 away.
“Leave it on the side; I’ll need to look at it to make the compartment anyway. I’ll also make sure you have at least two full magazines and a holder for at least four grenades.”
“Ok, thanks,” Nibs said and left it on the side.
Tina bounced her bike off its double stand and wheeled it out and kick started it.
“What route you planning on taking?” she asked Tina as she climbed on behind her.
“IC12, then CW8, Tybias’ place is in the back streets of Wester Park. He normally has at least five motorbikes and six cars or vans in the yard. He’s one of the best mechanic the Gangrels have access to. He trained Abs.”

*****

Chapter 15 — Wester Park District.

As Tina turned right into the driveway of Tybias’, Nibs saw a line of four cars and two vans, one of the cars was at strange angle as if up high on a jack or supports and two of the cars had their bonnets up. Both of the vans had their backs higher than the fronts.
Tina parked stopped the bike and Nibs climbed off. Tina then joined her in climbing off the bike. She brought the bike up onto it’s main stand and the pair walked up the driveway towards the triple garage at the back of the yard.
As they passed one of the cars with the bonnet up a voice said, “Can I help you ladies?”
“Yeah,” replied Tina, “we’re looking for Tybias?”
“He’s in the garage getting one of the bikes ready to be returned to its customer.”
“Thanks,” said Tina.
The pair continued towards the garages at the rear, when the fence had finished and turned right the yard became apparent, it was quite large with a large van sitting beside the far wall, bikes and bike bits where dotted around what ever clear ground space their was, and at least four men and two women where working on the vehicles or lent up against the work bench in the middle garage, they where all wearing grease covered clothes and overalls. A tall well muscled bloke with dreads walked out wheeling a bike, the pair approached he looked up and smiled, “Hi Tina,” then he paused, “Arh you must be Nibs?”
“Yeah, I am,” she responded.
”I guess you want to look at your new bike then?”
“Yeah,” she said and smiled.
“This way ladies,”
“Can I ask you Tybias?” she asked.
“No, Tybias is my brother, I’m Simon. Tybias is in side tuning a 1300JZX.”
“Ok,” replied Tina and she turned to headed into the garage
Nibs followed Simon to the back to the house located at the front of the yard. Simon parked the bike he was pushing up and turned to walk to a second one located nearby.
“Here it is, your bike,” said Simon. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Yeah. No problem”
“Are you trans or what?”
“I am trans; may I ask what gave it away?”
“Voice, to be honest, but even Tina will tell you most people who met her for the first time think she a woman. Now you ask, your hair is wrong, is not a feminine cut its not badly styled, but its not feminine.”
“Arh, thanks.”

*****

Tina walked up to the bike in the middle of the garage and put both her hands on the seat, looked over and said, “Tybias.”
“Shit, hi,” said Tybias and he looked up, “Hi Tina, how's you and the rest of the Vixens?”
“We are fine thanks, how's you and the Raiders?”
“We are good thanks. What do you think of the bike?”
“Very nice. Before I forget Abs needs a timing chain for her bike.”
Tybias stood and wiped his greasy hands down his overall trousers. He looked over at where Nibs and Simon where standing talking. Tybias was very much like his brother well muscled, the difference was his dreads reached his backside and he had a trimmed goatee. He was wearing a sleeveless t-shirt and the overalls where tied at his waist. “Ben,” he shouted.
“Yeah,” came a reply from under one of the vans and suddenly a youngish looking bloke appeared on a wheeled board. She would have said Ben was no older than 16 if that, “What boss?”
“Go to the stores and get Tina a timing chain for,” Tybias turned to her, “What has Abs got now?”
“Mit-bu 1000RSx,” she replied.
“No problem boss.” Ben disappeared down the stairs to the basement store room.
“What’s your plan for the evening, Tina?”
“Nothing really, why?”
“I want to show you something and ask for some possible help from the Vixens?”
“Ok,” she responded.
The youth reappeared, “Your timing chain, Tina,” said Ben and went to go back to the van he was working on.
“Ben you going to Dark Zone this evening?”
“More than likely. Why?”
“Maybe see you there.”
“Oh, ok,” said Ben and returned to the work he had been doing.
She picked up the timing chain and along with Tybias wandered over to where Nibs and Simon where.
Tybias asked, “Drinks?”
“Yeah,” said Simon.
“This way, ladies,” said Tybias leading them indoors and into the living room, which was small and kind of cosy. It had a couple of beat up sofas and a couple of arm chairs, a Tele was on one wall next to it was a stereo. Tybias when to the mini fridge beside one of the sofas and took out a couple of cans passed one to Tina and the other to Nibs, he then took two more out and passed one to Simon, then all of them sat down.

“Like the bike Nibs?” asked Tybias.
“Yeah, love it,” Nibs responded.
“When you get back tell Abs that it already has the pistol hide and an assault weapon hide for a HK-49 SMG. She’ll probably want to change it for the usual weapon for you guys, the M22. You two got anything planned for the evening?” asked Tybias.
“No, I don’t think so,” she replied looking expectantly at Tina.
“As I said outside, no I don’t think so either. Why?” replied Tina.
“Join us and the local gang at Dark Zone, it’s a local meeting place run by the Back Hearts gang. It’s a small gang trying to help in the neighbourhood, which has one problem at the moment. It’s being threatened by one of the other local gangs, The Snakes. The best description for the Snakes is a bunch of arrogant stuck up corporate types with nothing better to do than cause trouble for the locals.”
“Sounds very similar to the Aces,” said Tina.
“Yeah probably,” replied Simon.
“The Back Hearts asked our gang’s leader Sarah for help if it comes down to a War Zone.”
“Has she agreed?” Nibs asked.
“Not yet, she said she would take the request to the council and I’ve not heard back since. I’ve offered my unit’s support for first dibs of any loot taken. I was wondering if the Vixens would be interested in helping?”
“Don’t know,” said Tina, “we can ask them when we get back.”
“Thanks. Anyway, you are going to come tonight?”
“Yeah, why not,” said Tina.

*****

At 7ish, Tybias, Simon, Nibs and Tina got up and got ready to leave for the short walk to Dark Zone, which was only a few roads away. Tybias led the way out of the house and turned left. At the end of the road he turned left again. After crossing one secondary road he turned right onto a minor road and just down the street on the right hand side was the sign for Dark Zone. Outside were a couple of youths who nodded a hello as the four of them approached the door. Tybias paid for Nibs and Tina’s entry. After depositing jackets and side arms at the cloak room, the inner doors opened to reveal a large room with in places three stepped tiered platforms. Abbak trance was being played on the decks.
Ben from the workshop wandered over and said, “Hi.”
“Hi Ben, who’s here tonight?” Tybias replied.
“The boss is in a meeting. Some local official I think.”
On one wall was a large screen game of Bloodfest Arcade, Nibs lent over to Tina and whispered in her ear, “Two player game, later?” and pointed to Bloodfest Arcade.
“Yeah, what me and you?”
“Yeah.”
“Definitely.” As Tina replied the current player has his last health shot away and the game ended. The high score table appeared and showed the top score was 1.29 million decks, this kid who was sitting near by got up and walked over to the game.
“Shit, what, he isn’t going for record again,” said Ben.
“Looks like it,” said Simon.
“The guy thinks he owns the game and who ever breaks his high score needs to be forced from the top by him beating it,” said Ben.
“Assuming Bloodfest Arcade,” Nibs said as Tybias wandered back with a tray of soft drinks, “is anything like Bloodfest II, I was scoring 2.1, 2.2 million decks nearly all of the time I sat and seriously played.”
“Fuck that’s good,” said Tybias as he retook his seat.
“I think Arcade is based on Bloodfest II,” said Ben as he took a glug from his soft drink.
“Can we smoke here?” asked Tina.
“Yeah you can,” replied Ben.
With this the pair retrieved their tins from their pouches and Nibs loaded her pipe and Tina rolled a Cambar cigarette. They both took a good drag from them.
After a short while of sitting and chatting about various subjects, Nibs realised that she needed the toilet and stood to head for the women’s loos.
As she approached the door to the toilet area, it opened and into the room came a pair of girls, when the lead one had passed she looked back and double took her face. ‘Is that Tracy from Young Trans,’ she thought and continued into the toilet.
As she sat on the toilet she took out her PDU and loaded Young Trans. She tapped the search link and scribed the name Tracy into the search name box and then she scribed Wester Park District into the area box. She then tapped the search button and after a couple of seconds of thinking her PDU displayed Tracy’s profile page, she scrolled to where the people had pictures up. She found the one of Tracy’s face and it was or it was a bloody good doppelganger. She finished on the toilet and proceeded to wash her hands. She then headed back into the main room and saw Tracy and her female partner sitting on the first floor tear with a couple of other young people.
She headed for the table and when she was close enough she walked around and the group and tapped Tracy on the shoulder. She turned and faced her and she said, “Hi, do I know you?”
“You do Tracy,” she replied, she knew she was feeling and looking very happy. “Do you use Young Trans net site?”
“I do, do you?”
“I do, I use to be know as Nicki Calton.”
“Walk me to hell in a hand basket. Welcome to Dark Zone Nicki,” said Tracy. She turned back to the table and said, “Guys meet Nicki from Young Trans.”
“Hi Nicki,” said the male looking member. He was wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a blue t-shirt, “I’m Robert one of the three trans men that use the chat room.”
She stood and grabbed herself a seat and said down, beside the only true woman present.
“How come, from what I remember from you profile you were trapped by your mum and dad?” asked Tracy, “and may I say you look very. Mm, Gith.”
“Mum and dad don’t know. I did a bunk last Frodar and got invited to join the Gangrels, specifically the Bitch Vixens unit. I’ve not had chance yet to update things on my profile.”
Tracy then said, “Allow me to introduce my partner, Alli Stevens.” She was wearing a smart suit, the type you would use for an office job. “she also uses the site and thats how we met, and Fiona Tribble.” Who was wearing a shortish skirt, what looked like tights and a V cut sleeved top. “Also a member and regular.”
“I remember chatting with you a few times Fiona,” she said as Tina walked over from where she had been sitting.
“Hi,” said Tina.
“Guy, meet Tina a fellow Gangrel and also a full time crossdresser. Tina, Tracy, Fiona, Robert all Trans people from Young Trans, and Alli Tracy’s partner and also a member.”
“Hey, and hi everyone,” Tina said and took a chair from a nearby table and sat down beside Nibs.
“I guess you no longer go by the name Nicki,” said Robert.
“No I don’t. My new name is Nibola Calton or Nibs for short.”
“Hi Nibs. Other than leaving home, how come?”
“Let me tell you a tale of how a young person, my male half made friends with Sandra Patterson.” She then told the group her and Sandra’s tale from when she moved to Suraban to her change, she included the fact she was also a holder of a Full Street Ghost licence.
After she had finished, Tracy said, “Bloody hell! That is one hell of a story, but it does prove that somewhere someone cares for us at least.”
“The Bitch Vixens, why do I think that name has a history in the Gangrels. Someone said something about the your unit,” said Alli.
Tina then asked, “What unit your self, and why the suit?”
“I work for Telean Xorone Galsen East Suraban Area Office, in the accounts department.” asked Alli, “What unit, I’ve been a member of Blue Hill Sharks for five months. I was introduced three Gatherings ago.”
“Weren’t Silver Handers good,” said Tina.
“Yeah weren’t they, How come your self Tina?” asked Alli.
“My story is very similar to Nibs’ tale except I’ve been living fulltime for the last three years and been on hormones for almost two and a half of that time. All thanks to the Gangrels medical staff.”
As she looked around the room, she saw the door next door to the screen open and a couple of people walk out, a female and a couple of males.
When the three were in the room, Tina called “Sarah,” and waves an invite to her. Sarah saw the wave and nodded that she had seem it and started to walk over to where the group was sitting.
“Hi Tina, Nibs,” said Sarah. “What you doing here?”
“Getting my bike from Tybias’, he’s sat over there,” she said and pointed at where there were sitting.
Sarah looked around and saw Tybias sitting with his brother and Ben. “Right, thanks.” Sarah walked over and grabbed a chair and sat down and started to chat to them.
“Drinks?” she asked everyone
Tybias, Simon, Ben and Sarah all stand up and walk back to where Nibs and Tina were sitting. “May we join you ladies and gent?” asked Sarah to the group.
“Yes,” replied Tracy. “Hang on, I know you. Aren’t you Tybias Mitten from T&S Mechanics?”
“Yes, I am, I’m the T and Simon my brother, here, is the S. Ben here also works for us. Allow me to introduce Sarah Cutherlate, leader of the Gangrel Street Gang, which myself, Simon, Nibs and Tina are all members of.”
“We know, I’m also a member of the Gangrels, but I work for Telean Xorone Galsen.”
“Would some one introduce us, I notice when you came back you headed here rather than back to us Nibs,” said Simon.
“Guys, meet Tracy, Alli, Fiona and Robert, I know all of them from the Young Trans site I’m a member of. I was getting some drinks.”
“To save emailing you when I get back to command, Tybias, the council decided to open the arsenal to Back Heart Gang. We will also be subsidising the four units already employed should the Snakes launch a War Zone.”
“That’s good to hear, any dissenters on the Council?”
“Yeah the normal one,” commented Sarah.
“Oh him,” Tybias said and shakes his head.
“I’ll tell you on the way home Nibs,” whispered Tina in her ear.
“Anyone for drinks?” she asked. When everyone had given their drink orders to her, she got up and headed for the bar along with Tracy.
“How have things been, someone said that you had been into the chat room on Moroth and told everyone that you were full time?”
“Things have been great, how about you?”
“Yeah things aren’t to bad thanks. I had a feeling that the Gangrels had been involved in you going full time when Sophie-Gurl told me Moroth evening.”
“How come you are here,” she said as the pair waited at the bar for one of the bar staff to serve them.
He asked, “Can I help you ladies?”
“Yes,” she said and gave the order to the gent.
“Four weeks ago Alli came in and we started to chat, she was interested in understanding what it meant to be trans. I think the Sharks have at least one. We meet a later that week and we’ve been out on a few dates since.” As the barman moved off to fill the order Tracy asked, “How can you remember that order, I have problems remembering four items most days?”
“I have an eidetic memory for conversations, it don’t matter how it comes across as long as it’s sound I will remember it. I can remember conversations I had five, six years ago.”
“Bloody hell! I can see that being so useful I your line of work.”

*****

After the guy playing Bloodfest Arcade had scored 1.31 million Decks and died, he moved off the game satisfied that no one would be able to beat it for a while Nibs turned to Tina, “Shall we?”
The kid that had been playing lost his last health and the game ended with im scoring 1.37million decks.
“Shall we Tina,” she said as he sat down
“Yes, lets,” replied Tina. They both got up and was joined by Sarah who stood behind them and got ready to press the start button. Tina fed in the two decks needed for a two player game and when they were both ready.
“One practice game as I’ve not played arcade before,” she said.
“Yeah and I think I need one too, it’s been a while since I played arcade,” said Tina.
“Ready you two?” asked Sarah.
“Yeah,” they both responded.
“Then rock and roll.” She pressed the two player start button.

*****

37 minutes later the two of them had scored a whopping 4.98 million decks with neither of them loosing a single piece of health, which for a two player game had drawn quite a crowd.
Nibs said to Tina, “I’m exhausted.”
“So am I,” responded Tina then together they both put weapons down and took a step back as a missile from a gunship on screen exploded killing both of the players which ended the game. The cheer that went up was incredible as the game also registered each player’s total of 2.49 million decks as well.
She looked over at the table where the kid had been sat at, which was now empty.
When the two of them got back to the table, Ben said, “The kid left after you got 3.3 million in a huff.”
Both of then laughed at the news.
“So he’s not seen the scores then?” she said
“I don’t think so,” replied Ben .
“Anyway,” said Tina to the people at the table, “we need to head home, we are both exhausted after that game.”
“No problems,” said Tybias, “you will remember to ask about helping should it be needed?”
“Yes we will,” replied Tina and they both left via the door they came in by, picking up their jackets and pistols on the way. They both walked the short distance to Tybias’ and collected their bikes.
“Run back IC12,” Nibs said as they took the two bikes off the main stands and wheeled them out of the yard, “it should be clear at this time of night.”
“It should be, yeah,” responded Tina.
And the two of them kicked started their bikes and headed home.
When they reached IC12 she just went low against the fuel tank, engaged the auto-gyro and accelerated and was soon pushing 150mph. Tina wasn’t far behind her; it took about twenty minutes to reach Home Base.
The pair pulled into the driveway and saw Sandra was sitting on the veranda not looking very happy at all. After they had parked the bikes and dropped the timing chain beside Abs’ engine. They both headed back to the driveway closing and locking the garage door.
They then ascended the steps to the veranda where Sandra was sat on a garden chair on the veranda smoking a Cambar cigarette. “Where have you been?” she asked both of them in a stern voice.
“Getting my bike hun, why?”
“Time.”
“Yeah, were we supposed to be back for something?”
“Yeah. Dinner.”
“Oh fuck I forgot,” she replied apologetically.
“Oh shit so did I,” responded Tina, “sorry Sandra.”
“Not to worry, it’s in the microwave. Just heat it up. Nice bike hun.”
“Thanks love, you coming in.”
“Yeah,” said Sandra and got up to follow her and Tina in to the house and closed the front door.
The pair heated up the vegetable hotpot Sandra had cooked and joined Paul, Abs and Sandra watching a newly released film.

*****

When the film was finished Nibs turned to Tina and asked, “You said you would tell be about the dissenter on the council?”
“I did, didn’t I,” replied Tina.
“Oh, we talking about Timothy?” asked Paul.
Abs got up and headed for the kitchen to make some drinks.
“Yeah we are,” said Tina.
“Timothy, the one problem we as Gangrels have,” Tina started as she rolled a Cambar cigarette. “He leads about six units of various compositions, all of them very militant and generally will cause problems to most gangs if given half the chance.”
Sandra lent over and took the large house bong and loaded the top and both she and Nibs took two of the four pipes and as she lit the Cambar in the bowl, they both took a draw through it. “I have seen them hire themselves to the highest bibber and then charge double the original fees for ammunition expenditure, and no way did they expend the amount of ammo they said they did. One battle which involved us, the Vixens, and one of the more defensively orientated units, we expended close on double the amount we initially said,” said Sandra, “Timothy’s unit expended almost none, and still asked for the amount we had expended.”
“That isn’t good,” Nibs said.
“No it isn’t,” responded Paul, “but unless they do something that breaks Central’s rules or the Gangrels Standing orders, there isn’t much we can do. Central has investigated a couple of incidents but no one has ever come forward or the proof has disappeared or been destroyed before Central could meet.”
“Which I guess annoys quite a few people?” she enquired.
After hearing the switch being switched on the perculator Abs returned to the seating area and took one of the other pipes and lit the end and took a drag from it.
“Yeah it does, we here are on the north western edge of the area watched over by him and his main unit The Head Counters,” continued Tina. “He has a couple of occasions tried to convert us from Sarah’s leadership, he thinks if he can convert us more units will jump ship and join him. But seeing as he has tried on four occasions to do it and failed every time, he’s given up trying.”
“I think he just hopes we will disappear and allow him to continue to win converts to his cause,” replied Paul.
“Which is a joke if you ask me,” said Sandra. “Some people say he’s not himself and hasn’t been himself for a good couple of years, but no one has any proof of it.”
“How does the Gangrel council work?” Nibs asked.
“How does it work,” said Paul, “Any matter that may have a major implication for the entire Gangrel gang goes before the Council and is debated and then voted on by the board of 11 including the chairperson Sarah, who was the casting vote if one is needed.”
“It can make for some interesting times to say the least. Currently sat on the council is a member from each district which Suraban has 9, Sarah and one representative from Central. Timothy’s area of influence is the south eastern area and it borders the far side of the Free Fire zone.
“We as an A rated unit are exempt from Gangrel district control, we answer directly to the council and not to an area commander.”
Paul stood and headed for the fridge and took out the open bottle of Cabilla and poured himself a drink. After returning it to the fridge he returned to the seats and sat down taking the Cambar cigarette he had been smoking and relit the end taking a drag as he did.
“We’ve been asked on a couple of occasions to advise the council of certain matters concerning policy towards certain matters. And we have a non voting seat on the council which we don’t take up unless we are asked to. Currently all the A rated units are under the nominal command of Gaz, Sarah’s right hand person on the council. He allows us to do as we please as long as we don’t bring the Gangrels into disrepute.”
“That’s interesting. The Gangrels are sounding more and more like the Ghost community. The ghost community uses a similar system of rating teams and people. If a team stays together for at least six months the team gets listed as an active team, Cameron Raiders, is currently a non active unit, but that ain’t to say if they got a mission that brought them all back together the unit status goes to active and then Fixers can contact the team directly rather than going through each team member.”
“What happens if something goes tits up?” asked Abs
“What do you mean when you say go tits up?” she asked.
“Goes horribly wrong and lots of collateral damage is caused.”
“If the unit survives the fuck up, they go before the council of elders, the older members of the ghost community, and they make a judgement, based on all the evidence they can collect from the various sources. Punishment ranges from a simple slap on the wrist and a fine to the de-listing of the team and the members, and that ban can last from 6 months to life.”
“Harsh, ain’t it,” said Sandra.
“Maybe, but the causing of collateral damage to non corporate sites and places may effect the general population, it is looked at very dimly. The Street Ghosts live by a simple credo the civilians who live in the area do not want a corporate strike to spill over onto and into their homes. Most ghosts will move to help a civilian in distress with out thinking, bar the normal ones dealing with the situation. This element marks the true Street Ghost community as different to the various immations you will see out there.”

*****

Around 1ish Tina and Abs said night and wandered off to bed, Paul also disappeared a short while later leaving Sandra and Nibs up watching an adventure film. About 3ish they both headed for bed as she knew she would be helping Abs tomorrow finishing her bike repairs and fitting the hide to her bike.

Chapter 16 — The Retreat

Savraday 22nd Juwur
Nibs and Sandra woke at 08:51BN. Nibs swung her legs out of the bed; took the blunt that lay next to the ashtray on her bedside table and lit it. Sandra just lay propped up on her elbows.
“You know something hun, I’m going to embroider my jacket today, its needs doing,” she said.
“That’s true. What you going to put on it?”
“The Vixens symbol and the Black Fairy which is my personal symbol.”
“The Black Fairy?” asked Sandra as she lent over, retrieving the blunt she had put out last night before the two of them had fallen into a peaceful sleep.
“I have the picture on the tablet, its one of the backgrounds I use.”
After Sandra had lit the blunt she sat up, stretched and said, “You up for some combat practice hun?”
“Yeah definitely,” she said with a smile. She turned and kissed Sandra on the forehead, grabbed her bathrobe, put it on and wandered over to the bathroom to go to the loo and brush her teeth. She was soon joined by Sandra who also sat on the loo and cleaned her teeth. After finishing she asked Sandra, “Coffee hun?”
“Yeah, then get dressed and head into the back garden and have some fun sparring.”
“Ok.”
She walked into the living area and found Tina sat at the breakfast bar sipping a cup of something. “Morning,” said Tina.
“Morning Tina,” she said, “You up for some sparring today?”
“Yeah I think Abs is too. She’s already up and I think she’s downstairs harvesting some of our plants.”
Abs appeared at the front door and as she walked in she said, “Good harvest this cycle.”
“How many plants?” asked Sandra as she walked out of the bedroom zone.
“A good thirty-five plants plus fresh seeds for another three cycles.”
“What is good is I think we may have found the best conditions at last.”
She went about sorting out two coffees; when finished she passed one of the cups of Sandra.
“Thanks hun,” responded Sandra and sat down on one of the stools at the breakfast bar.
Abs said, “Tina you going to join me for some sparring, I’m going to beat you today.”
“Ok hun,” responded Tina. “In your dreams, you’ve not beaten me since I moved in here.”
“My luck has got to change sometime.”
“Not today hun,” responded Tina, she then got up to follow Abs to the back garden.
After finishing their coffees Nibs and Sandra went to their bedroom and got dressed in simple baggy, free-flowing clothes. She grabbed her pair of short staves. ‘I need to see those people again soon,’ she thought. Sandra grabbed her quarter staff and followed her out into the back garden.
The garden was large the width of the house plus six feet for the path to the back door a good 20 feet plus long. At the back was a wooden fence that backed onto a small piece of waste land. From where she was standing she could see the area was also being used as a dumping ground, in places the various large objects had been stacked or moved to form defences and similar positions. Inside the actual garden was a couple of punchbags, a speedball and a few other combat training obstacles.
The pair warmed up and watched Abs and Tina as they sparred together; Tina was using a pair of short staffs similar to hers’. Abs was using a full staff which was about 6ft long. After watching for about five minutes Abs went for a low strike which Tina jumped over, then Tina counter-attacked by feinting with the right staff and catching Abs on the side of the head with the left one.
Abs said, “You bitch.”
“I keep telling you when fighting two weapons you need to seriously rethink letting the enemy get close.”
She nodded her head in agreement; as both Tina and Abs left the ring Sandra and her stepped up.
Sandra asked, “Are you ready Nibs?”
“The question shouldn’t be, am I ready, it should be are you ready to face me. I may have only shadow-sparred more often than not, but I know these staffs,” she responded. “Now defend yourself.” She stabbed the left staff at Sandra’s head and swung the right at her lower abdomen.
Sandra jumped back and said, “FEck, your fast.”
“I know,” she responded as she returned to a ready-stance.
It took about twenty-five seconds to land the first hit on Sandra, she used both staffs to take her knees out by tripping rather than hitting there.
During the short fight Sandra noticed a few openings and what surprised her was Nibs used her body as weapons as well. “Enough,” said Sandra, “feck, you are good.”
“No I ain’t,” she replied. “I caught you by surprise.”
“That you did, plus the fact you don’t seem to worry about taking hits. You left yourself open on a few occasions.”
“I may have looked as if I was open, but I was ready to receive your counter-attacks.”
“I agree you are good Nibs,” said Abs. “Our resisdent experts in street fighting are Paul and Gary, and I think you could beat them easily.”
“Doubt it, I’ve shadow sparred a lot, this is the first time people are fighting back,” she said
“I seriously think if you would be able to beat them both,” said Abs.
“And from what I saw I have a lot to learn about these,” Tina said and indicated she meant her short staves.
“Me and you Abs?” asked Sandra.
“Yeah, ok,” responded Abs.
“Show me what you know Tina,” Nibs said.
For the next couple of hours the four of the practised and sparred together.

*****

About 11:15BN all four felt exhausted from the workout.
“That was one of the toughest workouts I’ve had,” said Abs. “But I’ve learnt a massive amount about how to deal with people with two weapons.”
“It may be an idea if we think about making these a slightly more regular occurrence than once in a while,” said Sandra.
“Yeah I agree,” said Tina.
Sandra knocked on the bathroom door which was closed. “Paul you in there?” she asked.
“Yeah I am,” responded Paul.
“Hurry up. There’re four sweaty girls out here needing a shower.”
“Ok, I’ll be finished in a couple of minutes,” came his reply.

*****

Nibs walked into the living-room after putting her short staffs away. She headed for the fridge, got out some cold filtered water, poured herself a glass and drunk it quickly. When she had returned to wait for the bathroom.
Paul walked out of the bathroom in his black bathrobe and headed for his room to get dressed.
A burst of Silver Hand played from Paul’s mobile on the fireplace. She wandered over to see who’s calling and shouts. “Paul, Darla’s ringing you.”
“You answer it Nibs, I’m currently indisposed at the mo.”
“Ok,” she answered, picked up the phone and flicked it open, then said, “Hi Darla, its Nibs, Paul is currently indisposed at the mo. How can I help?”
“Hi Nibs, I’m inviting all the Vixens to my place in the Low Back Forest from today ‘til we head for the festival.”
“Ok,” she replied and asked, “Where in the Low Back forest, it’s kind of big?”
“Yeah I know, I’m sending you the location co-ordinates now via text.”
Beep, Beep went Paul’s phone as it received a text, “Ok it’s arrived.”
“Good, how long before you guys leave, so I can tell Gary when to meet you lot?” asked Darla.
“45 minutes to an hour, we need to shower and get some clothes together for the trip,” she replied.
“Ok, I’ll say an hour and a half then to Gary. Meet him at the truck stop on IC5 before it leaves the city?”
“Ok, see you soon,” she said and closed Paul’s phone.
“Guys, Darla’s invited us to her place in the Low Back Mountains until the festival.”
“Do you know if she invited Misty’s group?” asked Paul.
“She didn’t say,” she replied; then she walked to the computer to check the location Darla had sent in the text. She pulled up the Map software, typed in the co-ordinates and the map software displayed a largish house at the end of a road, the name displayed alongside was Graham Cottage. It looked as if it was located on a cliff edge looking south, ‘Nice place,’ she thought as Abs and Tina finished in the shower.
“Our turn Nibs,” called Sandra.
“Ok hun, coming,” she called back and walked towards the bathroom.

*****

Thirty minutes later everyone was in the living room, they all had rucksacks, which contained a couple of changes of clothes for the break at Darla’s.
Tina asked, “We coming back on Sumbar or Moroth?”
“Don’t know,” Nibs said. “Darla didn’t say.”
“I hope Sumbar as I know we will need to get ready for the festival with camping gear.”
“I think Savraday then would be better,” said Paul.

*****

Two days previously, Darla had received an envelope in the post from her parent’s lawyer. The letter had said he wanted to meet Darla, and gave a Motel just off IC5 Junction18 in a small town called Forest Scope. It had also said he would only be there for a week from the date printed on the letter and that was two days previous.
“Angel, Damieel we are going on a road trip to the Low Back forest, we leave in half an hour.”
“Yes Mistress,” they both called back from the bathroom.

*****

Darla’s bike and the two trikes, belonging to Angel and Damieel, pulled into the Motel car park and she located the room indicated on the return address. She knocked on the door and the door was opened by a gentleman in his mid-thirties.
“Darla Graham?”
“Yes that is me,” she answered.
“Then please come in.”
The twins and her walked into the room, “Allow me to introduce Angel and Damieel, my partners in all things,” she said as the gentleman looked Angel and Damieel up and down.
“No problem,” he said, “I am Simon Grayson of Grayson Lawyers Ltd, I represent your father and mother and have done so since 2041, and I am currently the probate officer of your father and mother’s last will and testimony.”
Four years ago you know your mum and dad undertook a ghost operation against Grinlinn Manufacturing and never returned.
“Yes I remember them leaving.” She moved to sit on the bed and was joined by Angel and Damieel. Angel sat and looked over her right shoulder. Damieel was kneeing behind her looking directly at Simon over her left shoulder.
“As was the norm they contacted me before the operation and normally they contacted me again after the operation to inform me of their safe return. Neither of them has contacted me since that day four years ago. The last will and testimony stated that should they and I mean either or both not contact my firm via some method within four years then the last will and testimony should be read. The document countersigned by three other lawyers all who worked for my firm at the time. The will states that the entire estate which in today’s monetary terms is worth 56.2 million decks and includes the apartment you currently reside in, a large house located in the Low Back Forest and a further house located in the Chimilla Highlands goes to their only true daughter Darla to do with as she sees fit.”
She said sounding very shocked and surprised, “The entire estate, valued at 56.2 million decks plus three houses are mine to do with as I see fit.”
“Yes I also have a sealed letter for you. This was sealed in my presence by both your father and mother,” and he handed her the letter. She took it and just looked at it in disbelief.
“I shall give you some space and time Miss Graham. I shall be in the bar opposite if you wish to see the house in the Low Back forest.”
She shook her head slightly and said, “Thanks.”
After the door is closed and she listened to his steps as they crossed the gravelled surface. She broke the seal on the envelope, taking out a letter which was wrapped around a key and a swipe card, both of which dropped out and fell to the floor.
After picking up the swipe card and key, she read the handwritten letter.

Dear Darla,
If you are reading this letter then it means that both I and your mother haven’t returned from an operation.
The lawyer we instructed to carry out our wishes has served not only us but many Street Ghosts over the years and he is the one responsible for making sure you always had the apartment to live in.
The next few paragraphs were about the mission they had been employed to conduct.
The house in the Low Back Forest is mine and your mum’s retreat from every day stresses. It is also the location for an Academy Battle Store, as both myself and your mum where trained at the Academy to become elite Street ghosts and Conspiracy Operatives. Most of your inheritance is money gathered and earnt during those days. The store assuming it has not been plundered by the Academy trained people on operation is also yours and your friend’s to use as the entire group sees fit.
The store itself has equipment that is six to seven years out of date by current Academy standards, but is probably still twenty to twenty five years ahead of technology enjoyed by the world’s military forces and probably twenty years ahead of most corporation’s equipment. It’s yours and your friend’s as is the money and shares. Simon has power of attorney over them at the moment and has been instructed that they are never to be used as collateral against things. Both your mum and I advise you to leave the status quo as is concerning them.
Enjoy the houses and the secrets they contain.
Yours Thomas and Clare.
PS. The coordinates for the house are -782.574,4554.328 I would inform Simon that you are going and ask him to return to the Suraban.

After she had finished reading the letter she put it back into the envelope and re-sealed it. She placed it in the inside pocket of her leather jacket. Then after composing herself she stood up and walked out with the twins in tow. “You two wait here, I’ll be back shortly.”
She crossed the road to the bar, and opened the door. The inside was a dark bar she knew places like Forest Scope would have. The main tap room was 50feet long by at least 30feet wide. Behind the bar were three staff serving 30 odd customers. Most looked like trappers and people hardened by work in the foot hill forests and mountains. Simon was sat on a bar stool drinking what looked like a coffee. She walked towards him at the bar. “Thanks for the information about my inheritance. I’m heading to the house now, but I would like to go alone and spend some time alone with my thoughts and memories.”
“No problem Ms. Graham, can I assume that you wish me to remain as your lawyer and maintain the power of attorney over the shares and other incomes.”
“Yes thanks, I shall leave the status quo as is as you have served my family well over the years. I may have some more people who may be interested in your legal services.”
“Why thank you Ms. Graham and I look forward to meeting you and your friends in the near future.”
Darla turned and had two drunken men block her exit.
“Hey babe, you want some cock?” the left hand bloke said.
Simon turned to face them and she said, “Leave it Simon, I’ve dealt with twats like this before.” She then turned back and looked at the guy who had spoken, “I would knacker you before we got started,” and she then flicked her jacket open to reveal the presence of a Y7 pistol and before his partner could move she grabbed his crotch and squeezed, “My advice to you is it sit down and forget about me unless you have a death wish,” Darla said in a no nonsense voice and she then pushed both of them out of the way and departed the bar to return to the bike and the twins, who had already started their trikes.
Within forty minutes of leaving the motel car-park, the twins and her where on the road that led to the house. After traveling about 50 miles the three of them arrived at a large, single storey house situated over looking a beautiful view point on the edge of a cliff. They parked the bikes in front of the steps to the front veranda, which was large enough to have a garden table and chairs on. Darla took the swipe card that had dropped from the letter out and inserted into the card reader and then pressed her thumb to the small scanner located next to the card reader. After a couple of seconds the door clicked and opened.
The inside of the house was large with an open plan kitchen located on the left hand side of the large living room. To the right was a wall with two doors one up some steps the other on the same level as the living room. All the furniture was covered by dust sheets and the air conditioning was set to maintain the humidity at a level that wouldn’t degrade the furniture.
“You two uncover the furniture and sort out the living room whilst I explore the rest of the house,” she said, and turned towards the lower of the two doors. She tired the door and found it locked. She looked at the door and found just beneath the handle a long hole, very similar to the lock on the bathroom door at the apartment. She took the key out and inserted it in the hole under the handle and turned it. She heard the lock go clunk as it retracted, she then tried the handle and the door opened towards her. In front of her was a passageway which lit up as sensors detected her presence in the doorway. Darla started down the passage way and after fifty feet of it going on a down grade it opened up into a massive room which like the corridor lit up when sensors detected the presence of her. The room was filled with shelves upon shelves of firearms, equipment, armour, tools, and electronic devices. She whispered, “Thank you mum and dad, I love you both lots and lots,” and a tear trickled down her cheek.
She snapped back out of those thoughts and said to herself, “Vixens here, when?”

*****

Nibs and the others closed the front door of the Home Base, walked down the steps and went to collect their bikes.
“Helmets everyone,” said Paul.
“Good point,” Tina said, “We do need to wear them when we leave a city on an IC.”
“You know I haven’t got one,” Nibs said.
“Oops, good point and we haven’t got a spare,” said Tina.
“Then I suggest we go and buy one then,” suggested Sandra.
“Now that’s an idea,” she said as she wheeled her bike out and sat on it waiting for everyone else to be ready.
When Abs had locked the garage doors and set the alarm, everyone started their bike engines and pulled up the driveway and onto the main street. Nibs thought, ‘I need to upgrade that.’

*****

After spending about twenty minutes browsing the various head protections Sam’s Super Bikes had on show, Nibs selected a plain black full-face helmet with a darkened visor. She tried it on and found it fitted exactly. After paying for it she joined everyone outside; they headed for the truck stop where they had said they would meet Gary.
After picking up IC5 from the start they sped along it until Junction 10 where the main IC5 city truck-stop was located. As normal it was quiet, most of the people using it either slept in the cabs or was inside the Inns enjoying their hospitality. In the second, of the four truck-stops, Tina spotted Gary’s bike and signalled the rest of the group and pulled in beside it. When everyone had arrived they all walked into the truck-stop and saw Gary tucking into a large breakfast. As they walked in, he lifted his head and waved them over. Sandra and Paul headed for the counter and ordered some food while the rest headed over to the table.
The inside of the truck-stop had fifteen tables next to long windows that over-looked the car park. The counter ran down half of the back wall, with a door at each end. The door closest opened and a waitress appeared carrying a tray of plates, heading for one of the tables where a couple of men sat. One of the pair was large and had a beer belly, the other more lean and mean, wearing leather trousers and had a full-face helmet on the table next to him. The waitresses were wearing white blouses with name badges over the left breast and black knee-length skirts and black shoes. Tied around their waists was a red-and-white checked apron with a pocket in the front. Nibs, Tina and Abs approached the table and Gary slid along towards the window. Both Tina and Abs slid in beside him, Nibs sat opposite Gary, and was soon joined by Sandra and Paul joined them, "Food shall be with us soon," Sandra said as she sat down.
Very soon, a waiter approached the table with a tray full of cups, a couple of jugs and a small bowl. He set the cups, jugs and small bowl down and then went back to the counter, picked up the coffee and teapots and placed those down as well. Paul and Tina both said "Thanks."
"Any drinks sir?" the waiter asks Gary.
"No thanks," replied Gary, "I'll drink what’s on the table, but thanks for asking."
"You’re welcome sir."
The door to the car park opened and in walked a couple of men, both of medium build. They walked over to a table in the corner; the waiter that had served the drinks headed over towards them. After about five minutes the door to the kitchen opened, two waitresses walked out and approached the table, each was carrying a large tray piled high with steaming food. The first waitress placed the plates down and the second placed three large plates in the middle of the table; the plates in the middle contained bacon rashers, eggs, sausages, hash browns, toast, and various other fried food stuffs. The first waitress returned with two large bowls containing baked beans and tomatoes.
When the last of the baked beans was finished by Tina, Nibs got up and wandered to the toliets, at the far end of the counter. Coming out of the door was a woman dressed in leather biker trousers, who went straight outside to one of the bikes, which she climbed on and sped away. When Nibs had returned from the loos the rest of the group were just preparing to depart. Sandra and her walked to the counter, paid for the food and drinks, the total bill was 25 Decks, ‘Very good value for the size of the meal,’ she thought
Outside the sun was high in the sky and felt quite warm, but a light breeze was also blowing from the north-east. Gary, Paul, Tina and Abs waited for the pair to pay for the food; when they came out the group walked towards where the bikes were parked. Everyone checked the chokers and earpieces were still in place, climbed onto their bikes, and each one rammed the kick-starts down and let the engines idle.
Gary suggested, “It may be a good idea to stop for fuel and work out the route to Darla’s,”
“Good idea,” Paul responded. She led the way out of the truck-stop, towards the fuel-station located next to the line of toll booths. The station had fifteen fuel pumps, three dedicated to refuelling trucks and road-train tractor units and twelve to refuelling other vehicles. As five pumps were not being used, each bike pulled up beside each one, completely filled their tanks with high performance. After filling, the five moved out of the way of the pumps to let four other users in, while Gary took the fifth pump and filled his tank as well.

Sandra, who had gone into the shop, stood at the counter waiting for Gary to finish so she could pay of the fuel. After paying for it she came outside and walked to where the bikes were parked. The group were having a discussion over which route was best.
As she walked back Nibs said, “That is true, I don’t mind cross-country work, but I don’t speak for everyone, it isn’t fun for most people, plus I think it will be very hard on the bikes they’re not setup for cross country work.”
“What are the options for the journey?” she asked.
“Driving to Junction-18 and then heading north via Forest Scope to Darla’s, or coming off at Junction-15 and heading north and then east via a town of Little Middleton,” replied Paul.
“We don’t know the area, I vote for easy Junction-18,” she said.
“Ok then, Junction-18 it is then,” said Tina, “I just want to see Nibs go cross-country.”
“If that’s the only reason then I can show you when we get there on a push-bike rather than a motorbike. It’s a lot more fun, plus it would give me an excuse to get one, I had one at home, but kind of forgot to bring it,” responded Nibs as she walked towards her bike. Everyone picked up their helmets and put them on, as the Surra Country law indicated all people riding bikes must wear a helmet when on the IC outside the city perimeter or else health and vehicle insurance is invalidated.

All the bikes started and moved off in the direction of the tollbooths, where each rider had to pay a Deck to get onto IC5. The booths themselves were one long line of about twenty situated on the entry-ramp slipway and the IC itself, the bikes pulled up to one of the booths and Nibs said, “Six bikes.”
“Six Decks,” came the reply from the operator over loudspeakers. She dropped six deck coins into the hopper and the gate lifted to allow the bikes through. After leaving the controlled area of the tollbooths, all six worked their way through the bikes’ gears and accelerated down the slipway and onto the fast-moving traffic of the IC5, all the bikes were pushing 120mph quite quickly.
As they drove along the IC she was being her ever observant self, noticed that as they passed over IC10, that even through the landscape of crops stayed the same it became considerably more militant the further they travelled from the city. As they passed Junction-16, which had a small town located just to the south of the IC, she saw at least two patrol cars on the bridge and the officers carrying heavy firepower.
About an hour later the bike saw the signs for Junction-18 and a warning of no turning for 165miles. All the bikes indicated and took up the inside lane that would lead them up the off-ramp, towards the junction that would put them on the main road that ran near Darla’s.
The group drove into the small town of Forest Scope, a tourist trap for those wishing to explore the mountains.
“Stop here for some light refreshments,” suggested Tina over the comm. system.
“Yeah, that would be an idea,” replied Sandra, “I do feel in need of a drink and a smoke, if nothing else.”
The group headed up the main road that ran through the centre of the town and found a couple of local diners and a fast food place, owned by Kannock.
“Which one?” she asked.
She had an idea which one would be chosen, everyone agreed not Kannock.
Tina, as she had the lead, indicated left, crossed the road and parked up in front of the diner near the north side. The outside of the diner was very much a modern looking purpose-built building. It was opposite one of the bigger motels. Everyone followed Tina and parked up outside the diner, climbed off, left their helmets on the seats of the bikes and walked inside.
The group walked into the diner, which had a homely feel to it as the inside was lined with wood panelling; with tables along the side wall and a couple along the front window. Each table was covered with a blue-and-red checked tablecloth and had a salt and pepper shaker on each table in front of a menu. The group walked up to the counter which stretched along the left wall to the very back of the diner, where two doors where, one to the toilets, the other to the kitchen area. Behind the counter was a largish male wearing a light blue T-shirt, black trousers and a black apron. “How I may I be of help?” he asked.
Abs responded first, “Do you have any orange juice?”
“We do.”
“A glass of orange juice please. How much,” Abs asked.
“One deck,” the man responded.
Abs took her wallet out, took out a 5-Deck note and passed it to him; he stuffed it into the pocket of his apron, dug out 4-Decks change and passed it to Abs.
Paul spoke next, "A ham sandwich and a mug of coffee please?"
"Ok, can I take the rest of your orders?" he asked.
She spoke next asking for, “Can I have a chicken sandwich and a Chai Latte please.”
Gary was the next to speak, “A bowl of tomato soup and a fresh baguette please.”
Sandra spoke next and asked for the same as Nibs, except her drink was a coffee.
Tina spoke last and asked for a salad sandwich and an Earl Grey tea.
“Thank you, please take a seat and your orders will be with you shortly.” responded the man, who walked out to the kitchen area. Very soon a middle-aged woman appeared at the door and quickly looked around, saw no one new and disappeared into the kitchen. About ten minutes later the woman appeared carrying a large tray to the table and placed the tray down and speaks, “Chai Latte?” as Nibs indicated that it was hers, she passed it to Nibs. “Coffee?” both Paul and Sandra indicated that was their drinks and passed them to them, "Earl Grey?" Tina indicated that she ordered that and accepted it as the women passed it to her. “Your sandwiches and soup will be with you shortly.”
Paul responded, “Thanks.”
A couple of minutes later, the man returned carrying a tray laden with plates, sandwiches and a bowl of soup. He, like the woman, set it down and passed the plates and bowl to each person, asking Abs, “Do you wish to order some food ma'am?”
“No thanks, I’m quite all right, thank you,” responded Abs.
The door to the street open and two men walked in, each wearing a light blue short-sleeved shirt and black trousers, both wearing police gunbelts with a 9mm automatic and other assorted police equipment.
The man looked up and says, "Ah Sheriff, Deputy. How may I be of help to you?”
“Brian.” the older man said in response, “Food and drink for myself and Thomas.”
“No problems.”
The two men took a table in front of the window and, after the man finished handing out the food, he went over to the men and took their orders, then disappeared into the kitchen.
The group tucked into the food and silently finished the food, she listened to the Sheriff and Deputy as they are chatting about the general happenings in the town and local area.
When the guys had finished eating, a young woman stood behind the counter; smiling at the group as Gary walked up and paid the bill; then he followed the group outside, clipped the helmet to the bike, as when they had left the IC the law about wearing helmets no longer applied. They all mounted and started the engines and departed heading north.
“Not too far now is it?” Sandra asked over the comm. system.
“No it isn’t,” she replied after checking her PDU which was clipped on to the handlebars, “The turn-off is five-to-six miles ahead and off to the right.”
After travelling six miles Abs saw a sign pointing to the right indicating that the dirt road would lead people to Timber campsite, signposted as being 40 miles away. All six bikes slowed, turned right and started up the 19-odd miles until they turned and headed east up to Darla’s country retreat.

*****

Up at the house Darla, Angel and Damieel were stood in the kitchen. Both Angel and Damieel were dressed in combat fatigue trousers and a green tight vest top. Both carried Academy MZ65Ks on shoulder straps and had two extra magazines on the opposite side of their bodies.
The kitchen was a large square area surrounded on two sides by open-top counters; the only way into the kitchen, from the rest of the house, was from a set of stairs on the south-east side closest to the front door. Along the north-west wall was a large fireplace where a nurance was slowly turning on a spit. The kitchen was made from the local forest. Even the fire beneath the pig was local dead wood. A door on the north west wall lead to a small out house which housed the wood supply for the fire places.
"Shall one of us go to the main road mistress?" asks Angel.
"Yes,” she replied and continued after looking at the clock, “Angel if you leave now you should meet them on the dirt road, but go right to the junction with the main road.”

As Angel left the kitchen she headed for the front door, as she passed the coat tree she grabbed her leather jacket and slid it on over the SMG. When she had exited the house she heard the bird song and chirp, chirp of woodland life. Her trike was in the garage, which also doubled as the main workshop. She sat on the seat and hit the electric start and selected reverse and slowly pulled out of the garage and headed down the track that led from the track that went to Timber campsite.
As she drove at about 25 to 30mph down the uneven road she got a strange sensation, the hair on the back of her neck stood and she felt very euphoric, as if she had just smoked a compete blunt at once. As she drove she felt the sensation die away as she got further and further from, what she could only defined as the source.
As she turned down the track towards the main road, she saw the rest of the guys heading up the track towards her. She turned her motor-trike around and waited for then to get to her and she joined the group as they waved and passed her. She directed the group up the dirt track heading for the house after about twelve miles the ground started to rise and the track went up, the track followed the cliff edge for most of the route to Darla’s.

*****

At the house Darla and Damieel heard the approach of the bikes and wandered towards the front door to welcome the guests. Damieel and her stood on the veranda at the top of eight steps up, it also had a swing seat on it now.
The guys pulled up and parked, climbed off and then started up the eight steps to the veranda and onwards into the house.
“Welcome to my parents and now my country retreat, everyone,” she said as they got to the veranda. “Please hang your coats on the coat poles and make yourselves at home, normal Vixen rules apply.”
Everyone traipsed in side and deposited their bags near the two coat poles that were located near the front door. The layout of the living room had been slightly changed from when the twins and her had arrived a couple of days before. The sofas and arm chairs had been moved around slightly so to face the large window that ran the entire length of the south side of the house. The view was one of looking out over the tall Willabba pines and other tall forest trees.

Nibs said to Sandra, “What a beautiful view.”
Sandra replied, “Yeah your not kidding are you.”
"Damieel go and put the kettle on," said Darla after everyone was inside
"Yes mistress," responded Damieel and she disappeared into the kitchen.
Darla pointed to the door up the stairs and said, "That leads to the bed rooms. And down there," and she points to the other door, "thats the cellar door." Off to the left was another set of steps which led to an open plan kitchen, where Damieel was preparing some drinks. Just beyond the window was a large veranda with a wooden garden table and chairs. Surrounding the veranda was a waist high railing. All the internal walls of the house was very much like the external, made from wood painted with a light varnish. Everyone moved into the seating area and sat down, then they all took out their tins and either rolled a blunt or loaded a pipe. Then everyone smoked them and relaxed after the long drive.
“Nice place you have here Darla,” said Gary, after Damieel had passed out the drinks.
"Thank you Gary,” replied Darla, “I thought relax tonight and have fun tomorrow and the next few days. Then decide what to do after that."
"Don't the Forest Rangers mind this being here?" asked Sandra as she was sat beside her partner looking out over the forest.
"No, my mum and dad where both worked for the Surra Forest Rangers before they passed away. Its one of the perks of the job, the rangers get to build their own homes in the forest they work in. So therefore mum and dad built this place. It was passed to me in their wills."
"Very nice."
The rest of the evening was spent chilling enjoying the company of everyone. About 10ish both Nibs and Sandra excused them selves and went to bed. Let’s just say they didn't sleep much that night. As their room overlooked the cliff and it was a clear night.

*****

Chapter 5

Moroth 17th Juwar
She opened her eyes and saw daylight coming through the gaps in the heavy curtains. She lifted her head and looked over at the clock on Sandra’s bedside table it displayed 08:00BN. She then looked around the room and thought, ‘Where am I? This isn’t home.’ She then looked at the person sleeping beside her, ‘Now I remember.’ She smiled as the events of the weekend flooded back to her. She then looked around the room taking each item, realised this was now home. She sat up looking down at the person sleeping beside her. The person she was looking at, to her anyway, was the most beautiful person she had ever seen and it was not in the looks department she saw beauty. Each time she looked at Sandra, she saw a beauty that was the whole person. She swung her legs out from under the covers, stood up wondering what she should do about covering her body, because she needed the toilet. She wandered over to the open wardrobe and looked through the various clothing items hung up. She found a black dressing gown which she slipped on and tied it at the waist. She walked to the closed bedroom door and opening it. She walked over the corridor to the bathroom opposite. As she exited Sandra’s room she noticed a light was on in the living room and quiet music was drifting through the house. She walked into the bathroom which was slightly further down the opposite wall. The room was two metres wide by three metres long with the shower/bath along one wall, a toilet opposite the door, and a sink on the opposite wall to the bath. The normal bathroom cabinet over the sink had a mirror on it. She sat on the toilet, rather than stood as she had done up to the weekend.
Upon finishing she stood up and took a hard look at her face in the mirror, looking for blemishes and things that were not feminine. She saw the normal thing of male facial hair, which she knew all male to female transgendered suffered from. Otherwise, the first thing she could see were her eyebrows not exactly very feminine looking. ‘That’s easy to correct with a pair or tweezers and a mirror or a friend.’ The only other male aspect, bar the usual problem of the item hanging between her legs, was the Adam’s apple. ‘That thing is going,’ She thought to herself in a matter of fact way.
When she had finished looking at herself in the mirror, she walked out turning towards the door to the living room, her improving sense of smell could smell the aroma of freshly made coffee. It was like a drug to her, that and Spiced Sweet Chai. She walked to the door into the living room and opened only to find Tina was sitting at the breakfast bar. She could see sat on the bar was a bowl and half way between the bowl and Tina’s mouth was a spoon. Along side the bowl was the free local broadsheet, which got delivered to you or you could get one from a local shop. On the opposite side of the cereal bowl was a ‘large’ cup of coffee.
Tina lifted her head and turned it as she heard the door open. As Nibs walked out she finished the mouth full of cereal saying, “Good morning Nibs, I hope you had a good sleep and I hope I didn’t wake you. I don’t seem to need much sleep so I’m normally first up.”
“No you didn’t wake me. I am an early riser, but I do normally need around seven to eight hours a night but I’m still buzzing from the weekend, and thank you, I did have a good sleep.”
“Now that’s good to hear.” She saw Tina smile after hearing her reply.
She wandered into the kitchen, she turned to Tina and asked, “Where’s the coffee?”
“In the percolator, there,” replied Tina and she pointed at the percolator which was located next to the sink.
She shock her head at the fact she completely missed it over the weekend. The jug was half-filled with black coffee.
“Cups are in the cupboard above the percolator.”
“Thank you Tina,” she replied and opened the door. She took a cup out and poured the hot steaming coffee into it. She scooped two spoonfuls of sugar into the mug and, after retrieving the mily from the fridge, poured a little into the coffee. She then moved to the breakfast bar and sat down opposite Tina.
“Can I ask you some questions Tina?”
“Yeah, go ahead.”
“How come you are who you are?”
“Cause it feels right to dress and be a woman, I’m still debating having the final operations. That’s a philosophical question that doesn’t carry just one answer Nibs.”
“I know, but I had to ask so I can try and sort out my own feelings now. May I ask who you were before you decided to become Tina?”

“Who was I...?” Tina replied. She sat back and thought about the question and then took a sip from her cup. “The person I was before I met Abs and Darla was a very weak-willed, and physically weak person, prone to bouts of depression, and in certain respects similar to Nick the target for all the high-school bullies. I existed, would be the best description of my life at that time. I had seen Abs or as I knew her Anna Detric a few times on the bus I took to and from school. Then one day, mid first term four years ago the only seat available on the way to school was one next to her, which I took. As the journey to the high school took 45 minutes, after 15 minutes Abs asked me if I was alright. I said I was and she quietly said “You’re a liar but I do understand why”. I replied to that statement, “OK, no I ain’t alright. I hate going to the high-school, as I am one of the main targets for the school bullies.” I remember the conversation me and Abs had that day as if it happened yesterday” -
“I know, both me and Darla see you and the problems you have every day. May I ask a personal question, John?”
“Yeah, ok.”
”Have you ever thought about not being a loner as that is the way you act when you are in school, and joining one of the many groups of young people?”
She then took a mouthful of cereal and when she had finished she continued. ”What, joining a gang?”
”Yeah, if that’s what you want to call it, Then yeah, ever thought about joining a gang?”
”No. No gang would ever let me near them.”
”That’s where you are wrong.”
”In what way am I wrong?”
”The gang I belong to, The Gangrel Street Gang, are always on the lookout for new possible members.”
“The Gangrel Street Gang, I’ve not heard of that gang before.” On later thinking about it I had, but they were mainly bits of stories I over heard in the canteen and around the school.
”That does not surprise me, you’ve heard of The Northern Aces, The Runners, Black Hill mob, yes?”
”Yeah.”
She then took a sip of coffee. Nibs followed suit and took a mouth full. After they both had returned the cups to the breakfast bar she went on. ”Right. The Gangrels are somewhat different in the fact we don’t openly advertise. We effectively select our members from those young people who are not affiliated with any other gang, and we seek those who are being disadvantaged by society. We are one of the few groups and organisations that are non-area specific. The other two are Central, which I know you know about, and Centra the main policing arm of Central,” which at that time was under investigation by Central for corruption.”
”Non-area specific?”
”Yeah. We don’t have a specific area of the city we as a gang call base bar command which is located in South Docks District. We all meet in small groups at members’ homes or public places. We also are the only gang to operate in small units, hiring ourselves out to other gangs, normally for a small fee plus expenses, which to be honest are normally just the cost of the ammo expenditure plus any other minor charges we incur when we are on operation.”
”So let me get this straight The Gangrels hire out to other gangs to do what?”
”To help said gangs out when they need it. The operations range from assisting in a relative formal open warfare battle between two or more gangs. Some of the other work we do may involve us defending a place from attack, or sometimes its helping in the training of new recruits or helping a new gang gain it’s feet.”
My next question was the one that started me down the path that has led me to where I am now, living with my life partner Abs and being sat here in the home base of the Bitch Vixens. ”Why are you telling me this?”
”Cause I think as does Darla, that you would be an asset to us. You know how to disappear in plain sight. We think that all people should be allowed the chance to get better, improve in all ways, plus the unit I and Darla belong to are currently looking for new members as we lost two, to medical retirement about six months ago.”
”Ok, sounds interesting.”
”Talk to Darla she is currently acting as our unit membership coordinator.”
”Who else are members?”
”You have seen Angel and Damieel around.”
”Yeah”
”And a few more from the local neighbourhoods.”
She sighed, took another sip of coffee, and continued, “As we were getting off the school bus Abs said to me “This afternoon, after school, ring home and tell your parents you are going to a friend’s house to start a school project or something. Then come to the nurse’s office and ask for Darla.”. I did and Darla and Abs took me back to Darla’s and with the Twins playing host, the three of us just spent the evening chatting.
“To be honest I had no idea that Darla was analysing my replies and responses. Darla then rang home and asked my mum if I could stay overnight as it was very late and as most of the buses had stopped running by that time. Mum said that I could, so Darla, Abs and I continued chatting until the early hours when I fell asleep. When I woke it was after the start time for school and Abs was sat across from me. Darla had told the school that I was ill and wouldn’t be in for a couple of days. Abs then took me on a shopping trip and told me what the previous night had been all about. Darla, is a trained youth counsellor and had spent the evening analysing the answers I was giving, she was also looking at how I acted, my posture and how I sat. She came to the conclusion that my mind was wrong for the body. Abs explained it to me that Darla thought I was very likely Trans, but she was unable to decide where on the scale I was.
“Abs took me shopping for a few pieces of woman’s clothes. When both Abs and I got back to Darla’s, Abs and the Twins helped me to change and did my makeup. When Darla got home from working at the school, she was amazed by the change in my personality. Rather than the submissive shy boy I had been, the person that sat in her living room was a girl who had confidence in herself. That evening Darla, Abs and me travelled to my home, where even mum said she immediately noticed the change in me and agreed to let me be the person I wanted to be rather than the person the world expected me to be by the physical body. I’ve not looked back since. Ever since that day, Abs and I have been inseparable. The only down side is that mum became very distant. I have no idea why, but it is the only thing that was bad. My brothers accepted me as did dad.”
”How old is Darla then?” asked Nibs.
”27, she is quite old for a being an active gang member but she loves the scene, the thrill of the chase, etc, etc.”
”The first night at home after I got to sleep, I dreamt that John was being picked on by the bullies only to have this young girl lay into them like a being possessed. After she had got rid of the bullies and helped John up, I saw it was the new improved me. At that point I woke up.”
“You don’t mind me asking these questions do you?”
“No, I don’t. I have very little to hide from people and I hide nothing from my friends, I now count you as one of those.”

*****

During the following half-hour the pair sat drinking coffee, chatting about being trans. Around 09:00BN Sandra and Abs appeared from the corridor.
“Good morning, hunny,” Nibs said when she saw Sandra, who was somewhat bleary-eyed, with Abs being in a similar state. “Coffee?” she asked both.
“Oh please, you’re an agall, Nibs.”
“Yeah, thanks Nibs,” answered Abs as the pair collapsed onto the two sofas.
She went about getting the pair a mug of coffee. After placing the cup down Sandra lent over and grabbed the remote to the projector and switched it on. Sandra scrolled through the channels until she found one of the more adult cartoon channels and started to watch the cartoon being broadcast. It was about a team of five kids who helped rescue animals from dangerous situations using abilities a friendly god gave them.
A short while after Sandra and Abs had appeared from their bedrooms, Paul strolled out very much awake. He looked at Sandra and Abs and commented on the way Sandra looked, “God, you look like shit, sis.”
“I feel like shit. Come on, I’m not like you. I hate the mornings,” responded Sandra and, as Paul walked out of the front door, she stuck her tongue out at his disappearing form.
Abs looked up after she had had a sip from her mug of coffee. “When do we plan on hitting school today?”
“Around mid-morning break, and due to the people who need thanking I think we’d better stay until school’s finished,” replied Tina after looking at Abs and Sandra.

*****

Paul walked back into the house after completing his morning walk and saw the four girls sat around the breakfast bar after they had just finished breakfast and a cup of coffee. The girls headed to their rooms to get ready for the day.
It was around 10:15BN when she along with the rest of the girls walked back into the living room. She was wearing one of Sandra’s tight black T-shirts which said across the front “FUCK ME” over a skull and crossbones. Under that was a fully-metal-boned corset that gave her a definite waist and hips. She was also wearing tight black jeans and her calf-high biker boots. The makeup Sandra, Abs and Tina had done for her and themselves was true Gothic Mistress, dark and sultry.
Out of the blue she said, “I have got to get some things from home. I also feel some responsibility to let my family know I am alright and not to worry about me.”
Just before departing for school the five friends smoked a Cambar patar, and when the patars were finished the group felt relaxed. They knew the Aces were going to be in for a very big shock.
Just before they walked out of the house she took out a Zibark Celtar Cross and chain that hung inside her wallet, and put it on.
As she did Sandra saw the cross around her neck and said, “That’s beautiful,”
“Thanks sweet, I was given it by a couple of friends from Jarrzar. I took it off a couple of weeks after leaving and promised myself that I would never wear it again until I found myself, and I think I have now found myself again.” She knew that her face was all happy smiles. “At some point I’ll tell you about some of the adventures I had in Jarrzar.”
She followed Tina, Abs and Paul out of the door, into another warm mid morning, and down the steps to the driveway. Paul walked to the garage doors and opened it, Tina, Abs and Sandra who had come down behind Nibs, after closing and locking the front door walked into the basement garage. The four walked to where their bikes were parked and knocked them off their stands wheeling them out on to the drive way, where the four propped the bikes on to the kick stands.
She checked her communications rig and pistol, she zipped her jacket up as the bike rides over the weekend she had felt a bit cold. She joined Sandra riding pillion. Tina switched the electrics of her 1100 Wizban Street Thunder and rammed kick start down. The engine sound that emanated from Tina’s bike was sweet. Both Paul and Abs climbed onto Mit-bu 1000RSxs. The pair rammed the kicked starts down.

Chapter 6 — Present Giving.

As the four bikes drove at a leisurely pace through the streets, her eyes were constantly looking around looking at the various environments, and differences between South Central and Central Downtown. To her South Central looked and felt rundown, and forgotten. Central Downtown was bright and clean and the main centre of the capital. The roads were properly maintained compared to South Central. The shops were the biggest dichotomy she could see, 95% of all the shops in South Central had closed or had heavy security fitted to the windows and doors and were of the low end of the market scale. The shops on the main roads of Central, as it was more commonly known, were of the big department store chains and very defiantly catered for the middle and upper management classes, not the working or lower classes.
As they approached the school, they saw two of the school’s student monitors standing watching the main gate. These people attempted to make sure that the school rules were not broken, and only allowed valid people off the campus, they also tried to make sure that no troublemakers got in. The bikes turned right and passed an office block belonging to Night Security Consulting, a top end security consultancy. They provided specialist security advice, training and security personal for the mega rich and the corporations that could afford to pay the prices. As they approached the gate students, who owned vehicles, used to get onto the school grounds, Sandra indicated left and turned into the entrance way. Both Abs and Tina smiled as they turned left and passed the security camera, which was as per normal ‘Out of Order’.
She heard Abs’ voice over the communication. system, “Why does the school have a camera there, it spends more time out of order than it does working?”
“No idea,” replied Sandra and Paul.
She noticed the camera and looked at it. To her, the camera looked as if it had been put out of order by a professional in the Street Security Industry.
The school itself was made from five buildings, most had at least three floors and one had six. Just behind the main gates was a three-storey main building, made from a combination of breeze blocks fronted by bricks, steel and glass on the top floor. This building contained all the main offices, computer department and main hall. Off to the left, looking at the main building from the street, was a three-storey steel and glass building, containing the library, canteen and a few classrooms. Behind the library block, as it was known, was a large six storey building made mainly from bricks with an extension added to the right hand side made from breeze blocks, fronted by a metal fascia. Streaming from this building was a large group of students after just finishing some lesson or other. Spewing from the roof was steam and smoke from the underground boilers. Not only were the bulk of the teaching rooms in this block, but it also contained the TV studio that made the school semi-famous on the footbaal circuit, from here presenters of the live matches made the shows. To the left hand side, behind the main block was the sports block and covered swimming pool, both buildings were constructed from bricks. Around the top, some 7 metres up, were a line of windows that allowed the sun to stream into the sports hall and swimming pool. Beside the sports hall was the science block, again constructed from steel and glass. Coming out of this building were more students. Surrounding the school itself were large open areas of concrete, tarmac and grass. Along the back fences were a line of trees that in a few places clumped into small groves, which created small areas people could disappear into. Running the length of the North fence was CW4, suspended some 20 metres up on a flyover. Running down the east fence 40 metres up, where it crossed the CW4 was IC7, the main North-South InterCity route.
She watched the students mill around and saw stood around an expensive car, probably brought by some ‘daddy’, were a group of the footbaal’s teams Cheer Leader Squad. The driver and passenger’s windows were down and sitting inside were Simoine Potter and Amy Dunction. All of the girls were giggling and laughing at some unheard joke. She saw Tina swing the back of bike around which caused they group to stop laughing. She saw Tina wink at Sandra, and realised that she was about to have some fun. Tina then revved the engine so it red-lined, the rear wheel span and produced a massive cloud of smoke, rubber and tarmac. The waste gas the engine was producing combining with the stuff the back wheel was producing formed a large cloud which engulfed the girls and the car.
Tina turned her head and saw the girls getting covered in the dust and particles. All the girls started to cough as they breathed the noxious gases and particles. She then released the throttle, selected first and pulled off apologising to the girls in a fake sorry voice, “Oh, so sorry for that you lot.” She then followed the rest of the group towards the motorcycle park in Student Car-park B. As Tina and everyone pulled away, three of the older girls turned and shouted obscenities towards Tina and the group. Tina just laughed out loud and shouted back, “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”
As Tina pulled away she looked back and saw the Simoine open the gull-wing door and climb out. She read the face and body language and was able to tell he was angry at what that Tina had done. Out of the passenger seat climbed Amy. From what she knew, from the school grape vine, Amy had had a run in with Abs, over some course work Abs had done and Amy copied. An investigation happened, and she knew what the outcome had been, as she had just arrived in the school, was that Abs had had to redo the work. Amy joined Simoine, as he marched towards the group.
Sandra sub-vocalised, “Simoine and Amy are heading this way.”
She turned her head to look in the direction the pair were coming from and sub-vocalised a reply, “He’s mine. Let’s see if he recognizes me now I’ve changed.”
”Yeah, lets,” replied Paul over the communication system as he and the others parked in the marked bays.
She pointed at an empty bay that was at the end of the four bays the group was about to use. Sandra turned and parked in the bay indicated so making sure she was closest to the direction Simoine was coming from.
She climbed off as Sandra switched off the engine, Sandra followed her in climbing off and brought the bike up onto the motor-bike’s main stand. She moved to the back of the bike and stood waiting for the rest of the guys to finish parking the bikes. She watched the group as they slid the magazines they all carried out of the various holders and slotted them into metal boxes welded to the frames. She was also keeping her hearing concentrating on the sound of Simoine’s steps on the tarmac.

“Hun, you want to pass me your ammunition magazines,” Sandra said.
Nibs dropped the magazines from the holder and passed them to her. Nibs then went to drop the magazine from the pistol, which she shook her head at and then she indicated Simoine was close.

As Simoine stormed passed her heading towards where Tina was finishing sorting out the magazines, Nibs stuck her leg out, caught and sent Simoine sprawling face first into the tarmac.
When Simoine’s face hit the tarmac, she moved so she was standing over his prone body and lightly kicked the groin to get his attention. By this point a small group of students had started to gather as Amy stared at the scene from just inside the cordon made by the students watching the scene. Paul and Sandra both watched the group gather making sure none of the students were members of the footbaal team and got brave. She stooped and grabbed Simoine’s left arm, which she twisted and applied a wrist lock, so as she shifted Simoine onto his back the wrist lock was causing pain. When the manoeuvre had been finished she was looking down into Simoine’s angry face, Tina and Abs also stood over him looking down.
As he looked up at them he shouted, “I’m going to kill you poof for that stunt, Central ain’t going to be able to stop the Aces wiping out the Bitch Vixens now.”
“Not before we’ve finished with you.” She smiled when Simoine looked at her.
“What the hell?” said Simoine in a, ‘Who the fuck are you voice’ and after a short pause to allow the voice to marry up to a face, “Do I know you?”
“Yes you do Simoine. I use to be called Nicholas Calton.” She bent down and removed the designer shades that were sticking out of the breast pocket of his expensive designer jacket. She looked at them flicking them open and placing them on the top of her head. “I think I’ll have those as payment for the emotional suffering you have put me through since I arrived here.” She used her left hand and grabbed the scruff of his shirt. She pulled at the shirt and lifted his head off the ground, the next sound was a loud slap as she brought her right hand across his face hard. The red welt that started to appear was satisfying, to all of the girls present, especially her, she said, “That was part payment for the physical abuse.”
“Let’s leave him lying on the ground to contemplate his bullying,” commanded Paul with authority.
“Yeah, you ain’t worth it,” she commented in a ‘if I every see you again you will regret it’ tone. As she stood up she placed her left boot beside Simoine’s waist, and swung her right boot very low to the ground and struck the groin and arse area hard. “Oh, I’m so sorry, did that hurt?” she said in a fake sorry voice mocking the very existence of Simoine. She quickly joined the rest of her friends as they pushed there way through the crowd, who had started to disperse, walking away from the prostrate Simoine in the direction of the science block.
Simoine’s face was agony as the pain from the injury hit him full force. He curled up into a ball clutching his groin, very close to sobbing with the pain. Amy glared at the group as they left the scene. A few more of the girls and blokes Simoine associated with pushed through the crowd as it dispersed. A couple of the guys went to him and helped him up. The rest glared at the group. Nibs removed the shades from the top of her head, placed them over her eyes and asked, “What do you think guys?” She then stopped, turned and peered over the top of her new designer shades right at a couple of Simoine friends the pair glared daggers at the five friends. The rest of the group as they were helping Simoine, stopped so they could also turn and glared back. One of the guys mouthed, ‘You’re dead.’
She just turned, laughed and said in a voice that carried, “Oh, I’m scared.”
“Don’t know,” replied Sandra as she looked in a ‘I’m not sure way at her face’.

*****

She along the her four friends walked towards the back of the Sports Hall around the Science Block, as a couple of known bullying hang outs of the Footbaal Team were present around the two doors into the building. She saw a couple of very githic looking girls stood leaning against the wall smoking what looked like Cambar Cigarettes. She had seen the pair around school and realized they were from the 4th year.
“Allow me to introduce Abbey and Clare both members of a sister unit, Dark Mists Combat Support Unit,” said Tina as they approached.
“Hi,” said the pair.
“We saw your dealing with Simoine just then, very nice,” said Abbey.
“Thank you, Nibola Calton at your service,” she said in as feminine a voice as possible so not to alarm the pair, then stared at Tina until she realized what she had done.
”It’s a pleasure to meet you Nibola,” replied Clare.
“Don’t worry about things like voice hun,” said Sandra when she realize what Nibs had done, “all members of the Gangrels are screened for problems like not accepting life as life; they accept all people as much as we do.”
She along with the rest of the group just laughed. “Oh and its Nibs not Nibola,” she said using her normal male voice when she had stopped laughing.
She crouched down and rested her back against the Sports Hall wall. As she looked around across the fields towards the CW. She thought to herself, ‘I wonder if mum and dad will accept me now or will I become like a lot of the people I know from the Trans chat rooms.’ She took out her PDU removing the stylus from it’s holder in the back. She tapped the power button which caused the system to boot to full mode from phone mode, which it was designed to stay in whilst it was not being used to surf the net or use the 10.8 MegaPixel NetCam.
Tina who was stood opposite her asked, “How long have you known how to fight. I saw Simoine’s head moving in sympathy as your hand came in?” in a tone that was genuinely interested in knowing.
“Every since I lived in Jarrzar, Sensei Hume opened a dojo dedicated to instructing students in the ways of what Hume called Martial Street Fighting, the honourable combat of street fighting was another name he used a few times. Basically it was street fighting pure and simple, but he taught that using the techniques in a proper street fight was always the last resort, and should never be used unless all other methods had been tried first. When I left Jarrzar Cubbadar from the city of Vickortia, Rudeash, he taught me the martial art of Mauya, then Uthura from Ne-U-Bar who taught me Lappellr.”
“And now us and Gangrel Street,” added Abs to the list, “and I agree that slap was evil.”
Sandra tapped her on the shoulder and offered her the Cambar cigarette when she looked at her. She took it, the lighter and stuck it between her lips. She placed the PDU on the ground and using her left hand she shielded the flame from the light breeze to relight the Cambar cigarette. She then passed the lighter back to Sandra and picked her PDU up from the ground. She opened the NetViewer and scrolled down the favourite list selecting the YoungTrans chat room.
Clare who was stood on the other side of her said, “I see you have Nibs hooked.”
”Of course,” replied Sandra to Clare’s statement.
As the net page loaded it also automatically logged her into the site and chat room. She then brought up the touch screen keyboard typing using the stylus to strike the keys. She looked down the list of people in and saw a couple of friends from Suraban. She had never had the courage to actually go out dressed, until now that is. ‘I think it’s time to visit some of my trans friends in Suraban.’ She typed, ‘Hi all’, pressing the enter button and following that, her normal greeting, ‘Just so my friends know, I’m now fulltime and have been since Frodar evening.’
She took a draw on the Cambar cigarette exhaling the smoke after slightly coughing. She then noticed Tina was looking at what she was doing.
“What you doing Nibs?” asked Tina moving so she could crouch beside her.
“Chatting in one of the Transgendered chatrooms I use.” On the screen appeared, ‘Sophie says:- Yeah Nicki. How come thought you were stuck because of parents not understanding???’ She typed the reply ‘Mum and dad don’t know about it, I’m no longer living at home. I’m living with friends from the High school’.
Tina looked at the screen and asked, “Who are these people?”
“Most are Trans or friends of who are under the age of about 20 to 22, most of them are closet because of family. These I know aren’t.” Nibs used the stylus to point to five of the names.
“I never knew these places existed, I wonder how many Trans Gangrels use these rooms?”
She took a third drag on the Cambar cigarette then offered it to Tina, who took it taking from her pouch her lighter so she could relight it. She then entered, ‘I’ll be online in the next few days and give my profile a radical revise. Bye all’, She then pressed the log out button which was followed by her pressing the power button. She watched the PDU close and revert to phone mode.
“That is a nice piece of technology Nibs, how powerful is it?” asked Tina as she slid the PDU back into the inside pocket of her jacket.
“This, it’s a C400 Personal Data Unit, I’ve added to it, the mobile phone, net access and 10.8 MegaPixel NetCam. She’s also got a 400gig memory stick and three expansion cards. I’ve made sure it has room for four more cards.”
“That is nice. It must have cost a bit?” asked Tina as the pair stood.
“At the last count I have spent about 3000decks on it, but I use it and my Digital player for note taking. I think the expense is worth it.”

*****

As lunchtime approached the group wandered the school grounds looking at the usual student hang-out areas for certain members of the Footbaal Team.
The bell to indicate the start of lunch rang and the group headed out of the same school gate they had used when they had arrived that morning. As they did, she looked at the camera, located on a three metre pole over the student vehicle access gate. She looked at the camera using her knowledge of various methods of disabling security cameras linked to a central CCTV control room. She was specifically looking for any tell tale signs of who disabled it, as it would likely indicate that Night Security Consulting was about to get hit again. She was surprised as this would be the fourth time they would have been hit in the last two months. From the way it had been disabled she knew it was done by a professional, rather than a student. “I’ll say this; whoever disabled the camera was a pro.”

”Hey, how can you tell?” Paul asked.
”I just can, Paul. You know my final year major was electronics.”
“Ok,” he responded.
He heard Nibs’ reply thinking, ‘What does Nibs mean it was done by a professional.’
The group turned down the street towards the main entrance, as he turned he had a close look at the camera and wondered what Nibs knew. ‘That answer doesn’t answer anything, it just opens more questions. Sandra said she thought you to be enigma when she did the background research.’

The lights controlling the junction which included the school entrance were red. The friends crossed on the diagonal. Nibs walked hand in hand with Sandra, she was not caring who saw them together. Tina and Abs who were just ahead were also holding hands as they led the group down the secondary road passed small shops that catered for the specialist collector markets. She glanced in to one of the shop windows only to see a rack covered in small postage stamps. The next shop down was an antiques shop and on display in the window was an old rocking chair made from Common Brattiss, a nice wood to work from what she understood of the material.
Paul was just in the lead and held the door open for the girls. Upon entering the group saw two teachers from the science department sat eating a meal, she knew why they were sat eating lunch. She quietly laughed at the vain attempt to control the consumption of alcohol by the student body. The girls headed for one of the tables located in the open window. Paul grabbed a fifth chair and sat between Sandra and Tina. Sandra after sitting grabbed the menu, making a play for keeping it to herself. She went to grab it and, like lightning, moved her other hand and lightly tickled Sandra in the waist area smiling all the time. Sandra passed the menu to her and she put it down on the table. She lightly kissed Sandra on the cheek and signalled for the waiter, who was serving a couple by the opposite wall near the centre of the seating area, to come over.
The café was bright, with light streaming in through the open front and the six spot lighting circles that hung from the ceiling. The main area was a good twenty metres long by 10 metres wide and had ten tables of various sizes and shapes, around each a number of chairs ranging from two to six. On the walls were hanging the normal mix of landscapes and other non-descript prints of famous pictures. Hanging over the table, near where the group was sat was a landscape of the Low Back Mountains covered in forest.
The waiter walked over, asking when he was close enough, “Are you ready to order?”
She replied, in a more feminine voice, after looking around the table seeing nods and smiles in reply, “Yes we are, can I have a large Spiced Chai latte please?”
”Certainly ma’am.”
Sandra requested, “Latte, please?”
”White coffee, thanks?” said Paul when the waiter had finished writing Paul’s order down.
Tina requested, “Two Earl Greys, black please.”
”Certainly.” After finishing, the waiter turned and disappeared towards the serving area.
As he departed she said, “Thanks.”
”Pretty voice,” commented Tina in response to her feminine voice.
”Thanks Tina.”
The following five minutes the five friends quietly chatted about who they hopped to see that afternoon. The waiter returned carrying a tray on which were the five cups. He placed each person’s drink in front of them and also placed down a small plate with the bill on.
She took from the inside pocket of her jacket her wallet. She then picked up the bill and read the total, opened her wallet and removed a ten-deck note and handed both the bill and money to the waiter, who left and headed for the till area.
Sandra tapped her on the arm and pointed at Tom who was walking past the open window, on the opposite side of the road, carrying a full rucksack.
Sandra called, “Tom.”
She saw Tom stop, and he looked around for the voice.

Tom smiled when he saw Sandra and her waving from the café on the opposite side of the road. He walked back the short distance to the pedestrian crossing near Suraban’s old centre of Government, where he waited for the lights to change. The lights turned to red on the road and green on the pedestrian crossing and he crossed the road. After he had walked to the café’s open windows he said, “Hi, guys. Thought you would still be recovering from the weekend.”
”Nuts man,” said Sandra. “We are all toughened party animals.” All the friends were smiling.

Nibs looked at everyone, “No one got any problems with Tom joining us?”
Both Tina and Abs said, “No.”
Then Sandra and Paul nodded their ‘no problem at all’ replies.
”Thanks guys,” replied Tom in a happy tone of voice. He came in, dropped his rucksack in the gap Sandra and Paul made, grabbed a chair from one of the nearby tables and said, “I’ll be back in a sec, I need the toilet.” He turned and disappeared into the café back area.
After a few minutes she saw Tom returning via the serving area, he looked up at the menu board above the counter, talking to one of the staff working behind the bar. After nodding a reply to something the staff member asked, he went digging into his pocket to take some money out. After receiving some change he returned to the table carrying his drink, just in front of the waiter carrying the receipt on a small plate.
After the waiter had left the receipt on the table, she picked it up along with her change and saw a business card hidden beneath the receipt. On the front was written ‘P.T.O.’. On the back was written — If you and your friends are looking for some professional work please ring or email me. The email address she recognized as being a GhostNet account. She then showed the business card to Sandra, just as Abs indicated to the group that she had spotted a group of cheerleader girls containing one of the targets. All wearing the latest expensive designer outfits, walking towards the café heading for the school.
“Here they come,” said Abs when she saw the group.

“At last,” Sandra responded somewhat happy, she stood up saying , “You three going to join the fun?”
“Yeah, why not?” the three girls chimed.
The four girls pushed the chairs back and stood up. They headed for the door so they could wait on the pavement outside. They stood on the south side of the café, making it look like they were waiting for a vehicle to arrive. They looked at the group sauntering up the road, one girl seemed to be the centre of attention. Nibs who was standing opposite her asked, “Is it the one in the centre?”
She smiled and nodded. The pair both lit the Cambar cigarettes they were carrying, she took a couple of drags from it, passing them to Tina and Abs, respectively, who did the same.

Sat inside the café, Tom asked Paul, “What’s going on?”
”Fun,” replied Paul, “Payback is a bitch.”

Just as the group of girls passed the four friends, Sandra and the others followed, a few feet behind, until they where along side the alleyway that ran down beside the Café. She forced her way through the girls who stopped as she grabbed Zoá«, who was at the centre of the group, slamming her up against the Café’s outside wall. Sandra inserted her forearm under Zoá«’s chin pinning her against the wall.
She paused while the Zoá«’s eyes focused and recognized who it pinning her to the wall, only talking when Zoá« face turned to one of shock, “Now what am I going to do to you now I’ve left school, and no long have to abide by the not physically hurting you rule,” after a short pause she continued, “I know what…” and like Nibs had done to Simoine earlier she slapped Zoá« across the face, hard. The slap that sounded was loud, easily registering in the rest of the group.
Whilst she was dealing with the Zoá«. Nibs, Tina and Abs had all moved to make sure none of Zoá« friends moved to try and stop her. She now understood that her friends were also well trained in and respected the Street Fighting scene.
She continued in the same tone, “Watch for me, Zoá«, at night. You will never know when and where I will crop up next and next time I won’t just slap you.” After she had finished talking she removed her forearm from under Zoá«’s chin and let her drop to the ground.

Nibs saw the welt that Sandra had caused, she also noticed that Zoá« was now looking very scared. Sandra and the rest of the friends moved away, back into the street so they could to return to their drinks and Cambar cigarettes in the café.

Inside Paul and Tom overheard what Sandra was saying as Sandra was making sure the group didn’t suddenly go deaf. Paul rolled up a Cambar cigarette and lit it. “What are your plans now that High school has finished?”
”College, then hopefully work,” Tom replied while listening to Sandra have her monologue with Zoá«. Paul was sat smiling and quietly chuckling as well.
After the four girls had returned to the table and sat down. He said, “Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you lot.”
”Ok Tom,” replied Sandra, and offered the Cambar cigarette Nibs had just passed to her, to Tom, who accepted it, took a draw on it and coughed a bit.
When everyone had finished their drinks the six friends headed back towards the school and to the main hangout of a specific group of the Footbaal Team, which was the main canteen.

*****

When the group walked into the canteen a quick look around the room told everyone that group they were looking for had not put in an appearance, yet.
The canteen was like any other canteen - large, open plan with light streaming from fluorescent tubes and windows around the bricked and white painted walls. About a quarter of the total wall was bricked floor to ceiling and it was here that the food was served from; opposite the food serving area was an open fire escape. In the open expanse was lot of tables with bench seats. In total Nibs estimated that the canteen was about half full. She did see a couple of the teachers sat near the door eating the meal of the day.
The group walked to the food run and all purchased light lunches. When they all had left the food run they headed for the seats they specifically wanted, the one’s the rest of the school was forbidden to use on pain of a severe beating, dished out by the members of the footbaal team. They walked passed Simon who was eating a sandwich and on the table beside the book he was reading was a black coffee. She liked Simon’s science lessons. She saw Simon nod a ‘hello guys’, which was returned to her surprise by Tina and Paul.
After five minutes six members of the Football Team’s Defensive team, and their girlfriends, entered the canteen from the direction of the library. As they passed one table where a couple of the smaller third years were sitting, one of the fourth year members of the group, threw a punch which got the third year rubbing his arm. She, watched the group from when they had entered, and thought, ‘Today I start to take back the school from the bullies.’ They walked to the food counter and pushed three of the second years out of the way as they were getting the meal of the day. One of the second years dropped his tray on which was his pudding of pie and custard, she saw the face of the boy was the bowl went. She also saw his face as the bowl hit upside down and kept most of the custard within the bowl. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Tom smile at the fortune that second year had just received. She knew why as well, as Nick had seen Tom taking a beating from McKrudder, Detric and Simoine once as exactly the same thing had happened, except it was a plate with gravy on that had gone and it had gone at a crooked angle. Tom had spent the next month off school recovering from the beating. She saw that some of the girls that had been with Zoá« earlier were hanging off their boyfriends arms.
Tina commented when she didn’t see Detric or Simoine with the group, “I hope Simoine and Zoá« are going to be ok.” The comment and tone of voice made everyone laugh. Which again broke another one of the unwritten rules of the canteen, ‘no laughing unless at one of the Footbaal Team’s jokes’.
When the bullies had departed the food run, she saw the two teachers by the door and Simon stand and very quickly depart, Simon via the open fire escape and the other two by the main door. The small group started to walk towards their area of tables. They stopped dead and stared when they saw her and the others sitting at their table. Sandra and her smiled when they heard two of the four fourth years chuckle to themselves. The pair knew exactly what was going to happen when the group were in an area clear of tables. McKrudder, also know in the school as the Hunk, face screwed up in a combination of anger and contempt for the friends.
As The Hunk angrily marched towards the friends she said, “Excuse me friends. We have an ape that needs to be put back in its cage.” She knew that even though the Hunk was 6’4, a quick targeted kick to the groin would bring almost anyone to their knees. She stood up and stepped into the walk way and took two steps towards the Hunk. Before he could even think about reacting to her initial attack which knocked the tray he was carrying all over his girlfriend. The girlfriend let go of McKrudder’s arm and stared down at her ruined designer outfit. She then executed a powerful snap kick attack targeted at The Hunk’s groin. To her satisfaction The Hunk’s face screwed up in agony as she landed the kick smack bang on target. The Hunk’s hands and arms went to protect the groin from any more kicks. She wasn’t planning on hitting him there again, sent her hands to his head, which she dragged down so it could met the upswing of her right knee.
With the force of the knee hitting and the release of the head a second before, The Hunk took off in a back arc and landed in the middle of his friends who were standing staring in utter shock as this girl had taken one of the larger members off his feet. As The Hunk landed he sent them sprawling into other tables and members of the student body who had stood to watch the unfolding fight.

Paul who was watching for any members of staff or the school monitors, could see the kitchen staff watching the scene. He smiled when even kitchen staff had walked out to watch. None of them had moved to get the monitors or security. The teachers who had been present had made themselves scarce. He realised that they all must have realised this morning after Simoine, the showdown between the Gangrels and The Aces which had been brewing for some time was about to explode.
He saw Nibs standing over the prone breathing body. Nibs then knelt down landing her right knee in the chest area. Nibs’ left leg was pinning The Hunk’s right arm to the floor.

The Hunk blinked as he tried to focus through the pain of the initial kick. Nibs waited for him to see who was pinning him to the floor. Her face was one that showed utter contempt for his existence. “Oops. Did you spill your food? Do you want me to run and buy you some more?” She paused.
The agonized squeak that came from his mouth said made her smile. “I’ll kill you, you poof.”
“Oh I’m so scared. Welcome to your nightmare.” At this point she lifted her steel toe-capped boot so as she brought it down it impacted his manhood. His face was one of pure agony and he started screaming like a girl.

Sandra who had turned on the end was watching the scene as The Hunk’s friends got themselves straight. One of the group had been lucky and had remained standing looked at the friends as he moved to give The Hunk the necessary assistance he needed in dealing with the person pinning him down. She looked with a face that said at him ‘You help him, I help Nibs’ at the same time she started to get up. The person stopped short as he had been on the receiving end of a beating dished out by her brother a couple of years ago and he had been present when Paul had mashed the fourth year earlier in the year, Sandra had him restrained with an arm lock.

Nibs stood up and after looking at the group, who were just staring at what this female had just done to one of the toughest members of the footbaal team, with a face which said ‘who’s next’. She retook her seat so she could continue to eat lunch.
“You know something Nibs, I’m surprised we haven’t seen the Principal or her assistants,” said Paul after she had sat down.
The friends watched a couple of members of the footbaal team help The Hunk to stand and walk to an empty table near the windows that overlooked the large field behind the school.
“I saw the teachers made themselves very scarce,” said Tina.
“I think most people have realised that the Gangrels and The Aces are about to explode into open warfare,” said Sandra.
“Bring it on,” she said. “Make my life a living hell will you. Welcome to the hell that will be your life for the short term future.” All of the guys looked at her and saw that she meant it.
After finishing lunch the six stood and headed out of the canteen via the fire escape.
Tom asked “I need to drop off these books to the library, where you lot heading towards?”
”Don’t know, some place secluded and quiet so we can wait for the end of school and finish giving people their presents,” replied Paul. “More than likely to the north east corner under the city way.”
”Ok, I’ll wander and find you,” responded Tom.
”Look into the trees and bushes not at them,” said Sandra as Tom turned and left them.
As Tom was walking away the five friends headed for the north east corner via the most direct route, which took them across the footbaal pitches and around the stadium. They soon reached the secluded corner where the trees had clumped a bit more and created a small grove. The ground cover also was slightly longer grass and low woodland plants these and the trees stretched along the rest of the fence line. Through the gaps in the trees and shrubs, she could see a twenty metre wide strip of wasteland before a fence line that indicated the borders of another Corporate owned housing estate. Even though the IC and CW were pretty close the noise level was a lot lower than she had expected.
Paul led the group to the start of the path that led into the small grove. He walked around the strallam (Stral-lam) bush, closely followed by Nibs and then Sandra, Tina and Abs brought up the rear.
“Hi, Simon,” said Paul and sat himself down on an old log.
She saw Simon sat leaning against an Ashforrk tree. Hanging from his mouth was a 15cm stemmed patar. From his mouth came a puff of bluish smoke from the material in the patar’s bowl.
The grove was made from three Ashforrk Trees, two strallam bushes and a couple of Tracarm Burch trees. Around the edge was a couple of logs and half a pallet.
“Oh. Hi all. Yeah join me if you want guys...”
She saw Simon look at her and his face screwed up as if trying to work something out. She moved towards a second ashforrk tree and sat down on the roots. She was soon joined by Sandra who sat beside her. Abs and Tina moved to the another log.
“Who’s the new one with you?”
“Oh meet Nibola Calton — or as she prefers to be known — Nibs,” replied Paul.
“Welcome Nibs,” said Simon. “Which member of the Gorillas had your attention. I left when I saw them and you lot sitting where you were. I also noticed Danni and James also left rather fast.”
“Gary McKrudder, alias, The Hunk,” she responded.
“After your dealing with Simoine, I took it upon myself to warn the rest of the staff that if we saw you lot and any member of the footbaal team in the same area, they were to disappear. I also had a chat with the monitors and told them that if they heard of any incidents they were to take their time getting to the site. Things must happen in their own way, and you wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of their fists and feet, they are all experts in street fighting.”
“That would explain the lack of Mrs MacFields or any of her assistants,” said Sandra as took out her tin and cigarette making equipment.
“I saw the aftermath of your dealing with Simoine, and I know I heard Simoine cry ‘the Bitch Vixens are going to get slaughtered’ or something similar. Nice one on the McKrudder front. I knew he had it coming, I just didn’t know when and from whom. Oh, his parents are going to be on the warpath after they hear about the incident. What did you do?”
“Crushed his groin and flattened his nose into his face.” She joined everyone else in rolling a Camber cigarette.
“Ouch, arrrrrrhhhhhhh,” responded Simon, his face was similar to the face Gary had, with out the screaming. “That’s a good point, you’re new ain’t you?” he asked looking at her.
“No I ain’t,” she replied, “I used to go by the name Nicholas.”
“No, no way...” Simon’s face was one of shock. “Nicholas Calton?”
“Yeah, that was me,” she said, with a broad grin. “Seeing as I have now officially finished my exams I don’t need to be here, but the rules state that I am still a student until Ebinar so I thought I’d clean house before I say fuck off to the schooling system.”
“How many have read you Nick?” asked Simon.
She glared at him.
“Sorry... Nibs,” Simon corrected himself.
“Better... no one yet, but I’m another Gith or Gangrel to most people and both societies do seem to be slightly strange.”
A short time later Tom called, “You in there guys?”
When they had heard Tom’s voice Paul stood up and walked out of the small clearing.
Paul and Tom, after a couple of seconds appeared and Tom was carrying a far lighter-looking rucksack.
“Oh. Hi Simon,” said Tom when he came into view.
“Afternoon Tom didn’t realize you knew this group,” said Simon indicating Paul and group.
“Yeah for a few months now,” responded Tom.

*****

The friends sat there for the rest of lunch and the afternoon smoking and chatting. Tom had to go after a couple of hours due to work calling him in to cover a shift and Simon had a class to teach in the last period.
As the end of school approached the friends headed for the student car park and their bikes. They made quite a lot of noise as they left the school for the last time. They turned right and headed down the main road. A little way down the road they turned into an alleyway between a corner shop and an apartment block. The alleyway lead to the back of the shops and some garages. The group parked up in the entrance so they could look for the rest of the people who needed ‘thanking’.
As the last of the students were leaving the friends had spotted no-one.
She said, “They’ve chicken out and left by the other entrance and gone the long way home.”
“Yeah it looks that way or they are still in school,” responded Tina.
The group then climbed on to their bikes and started the engines.
As she was climbing behind Sandra she said, “Hey guys can we stop past mine. I need to get a few things?”
“Hey, no problem,” answered Paul as he was at the head of the four bikes he indicated left and pulled out onto the main road heading away from the school.

*****

Chapter 7

As the group turned left onto the road where she use to live she sub-vocalised, “Everyone, seventh house on the left.”
All four bikes indicated left and pulled up the driveway slowing to a stop just beside the path leading to the few steps up to the front door.
When she had climbed off she said, “Come on everyone. No one is home and I don’t give a shit who sees. I still officially live here and you are my friends.”
“Ok,” responded everyone and followed her up the path and the two stairs to the front door.
She opened the front door she stepped inside and allowed the rest of the friends in. “Make yourselves at home everyone,” she said after closing the front door. “Can someone stick the kettle on and make some drinks? I wouldn’t worry about my parents coming home anytime soon.”
As the group walked in they saw to the left of the front door was the living room, which had a couple of nice looking sofas, an gas effect fire in the fire place and a large Flat screen tele above the it. Towards the back of the house which the living room stretched the length of was a small office with a computer, printer and work space. To the right was a large dining room with a square table in the middle, surround it was four chairs. On the wall facing the front of the house was a door that led to the kitchen, also along that wall was a long book case filled with old fashioned paper books. The library continued up the wall which made the side of the stairs to the first floor, this one was filled with digital novels and more paper books. The stairs up to the first floor had a solid lower section but the first floor landing had a banister and columns making sure no one fell over the edge.
“Ok,” said Tina and Abs, “where’s the kitchen?”
“Through there,” she said and pointed at the door off the large dining room.
“Anything I can do?” asked Sandra.
“Yes hun, there is,” she replied as she headed for the stairs to the first floor.
Paul turned left and went to sit down in the living room. The upstairs had four doors leading off the landing which was a circle with the stairs being the middle. On the walls which were creamy off white were pictures of her mum and dad and Nick having fun.
She led Sandra up the stairs. She turned right at the top of the stairs, right again, opened a door and walked into her bedroom, which, as normal, was a mess, clothes piled in one corner, books, notes and other items in a second. The room was five metres square with windows along both outside walls. Along one wall was a large wardrobe, from the top of which she grabbed two large rucksacks and threw them onto the bed. She took two smaller rucksacks, which were hanging from hooks on the side.
As Sandra walked up the stairs and round the landing she looked at the pictures and asked, “Are these of you and your mum and dad?”
As she walked across her room towards the desk on which were her laptop computer and other office peripherals she turned her head and looked at where Sandra was looking, “Yes, that one is my favourite,” and she pointed to the one hung beside her room’s door. The picture was of Nick and two Jarrzarian’s at a religious site someplace beautiful.
Sandra, stood beside the door way and looked at the picture. “Who are the other two?” asked Sandra as she stepped into the doorway, “and what do you want me to do?”
“Jum-Fu and Wong-Ma. Two of my closest friends, do you remember when Paul asked where would I want to live?” she asked, “Could you goto the under-bed storage area and get the clothes you find there and fill one of the large rucksacks and then empty the cupboard there into the other one,” she said and pointed to the cupboard hanging on the wall.
As Sandra stooped she slid the door to the storage area open she replied, “Yes I do, why?”
“Meet the reasons for me saying Theaban in Jarrzar. That picture was taken by Jum’s mum when we were visiting a Tabbar Shrine. It was there me and them performed a Blood Family Ceremony. I forgot the underlying principles when I left Jarrzar, and that is friends however far they are from you will always be there for you,” she replied as she clearing her pens and pencils from the various pots into one of the small rucksacks. She reached up to the top shelf above her desk and took down a stack of business cards which were stuck to on a spike, she placed it on the desk and reached up again and took down the top of the spike. She then took out a stack of note books from the shelving units and these were placed beside the business cards. She placed the spike into the rucksack and that was closely followed by the stack of note books. She then opened the top draw of her desk and took out a long zipped wallet, in which was a fibre optic camera and an endoscope controllable extender. The next few wallets out of the drawers all had her precision toolkits in. These were used in her job as an Independent Security consultant. From the second draw down she took a twenty centimetre long by ten centimetre wide by fifteen centimetre deep black box with a large coil of thin cables protruding from one end. She smiled as she remembered the fun she has had with that little box of tricks. The next item she took out was a small LCD screen and the control box for the endoscope. From the very back of the draw she took the two chargers which were plugged into a four socket extension block. She turned to Sandra and said, “Could you unplug the charger from the socket behind the bedside cabinet, and throw me the entire unit?”
She watched Sandra move and smiled at one of the closest friends she had excluding Jum and Wong, as she unplugged the adaptor. Sandra threw the adaptor then the charger plate to her which she caught, reconnected the wire to the plate and then placed it in the same side pocket as the pens and pencils. She then moved around the chair and opened the second draw on the opposite side of the desk where she took out two hard cases one got slipped down the back of the current rucksack. The second was slid into the other side pocket, a third hard box went into the front pocket.
At this the rucksack was pretty much full and she pulled the draw string and then closed the top and clipped it down. She laid the rucksack down flat on the desk. She then opened the second rucksack and placed it on the ground. She knelt down and opened the bottom draw of the left hand side. From the bottom drawer she took her most prized possession, a Delt XA2000 Tablet Computer with full-speed wireless networking and an ultra-high-resolution touch screen. She placed the tablet into its protective bag which was underneath it. The bag with the Tablet in was slid into the open rucksack. She then stood and disconnected the Laptop from the hard-line network and unplugged the power pack from the six plug extension block located on the back of the desk. She slipped both the power pack and NetCams into the side pocket, these items were joined by a wireless trackball mouse. She then bent down and took a second protective bag and slipped the laptop into that and this package was then slipped into the rucksack in front of the tablet. She pulled ten books from the bottom shelf forward and out of the shelving unit, these were placed on the desk, she then took two DDD cases which were hidden behind the books out and these ended up in the rucksack in front of the laptop.
“This is still half empty, anything else,” said Sandra said as she finished digging the clothes out from under the bed and cupboard.
“Yes, the bedside table,” she said as he moved, carrying the first rucksack, to the wardrobe, and opened it. She bent down and dragged the base unit which was hidden inside out. She grabbed the top handle belonging to a removable drive day and pulled it forward and out from the base unit, she did the same to the one beneath the first. She placed the two drives on the ground. She then went to the rucksack opening the top going into the main pocket of the rucksack where she took out one of the small zipped wallets. She opened it and removed a cross-head screwdriver. She then switched the base unit off. After the computer had powered down she disconnected all the cables from the back and then removed the whole base unit so she could unscrew the back and remove the cover. When the cover was off she unscrewed the removable hard drive bays and took then out.
“Drinks!” was called up the stairs by Abs.
“Thanks, be down in a minute,” she called back and went back to re-placing the cover on the base unit.
“Finished,” said Sandra standing up from beside the bed.
“Thanks hun, I should be done in a couple of minutes, I need these two drives as they contain my life’s projects and all my personal data. Can you take those two rucksacks downstairs for me?” She pointed to the two large rucksacks. “Not these two,” she said, pointing to the two small bags.
“Ok,” replied Sandra as she heaved one of the two large rucksacks onto her back and grabbed the other one only to put it back down.
She finished replacing the cover and slid the base unit back into its home in the wardrobe. She picked up the completed bays and stuffed them into the top of the rucksack holding the tablet and laptop. She grabbed her second wallet from under the pillow where she hid it, and stuffed it into the inside pocket of the leather jacket she was wearing. She also grabbed her favourite fleece and night combat jacket from the hooks beside the door and stuffed them into a plastic bag.
As she left her bedroom she grabbed the long bag that sat beside the door, her weapons of choice when it came to the armed close fighting, her short staves. The pair had been given to her by Jum and Wong when she had left Jarrzar. She carried them and the bags out and left them on the landing. She went into her parents’ bedroom and to her mum’s bedside table, where she opened the drawer, and removed a large wad of deck notes. This too ended up in the inside pocket. When she exited the room she saw Sandra carrying the second rucksack down the stairs. She headed for the bathroom and took her razor and shaving gel from the cupboard. She opened the airing cupboard and took down one of the numerous small bath bags into which went the razor and gel along with her toothbrush and a couple of face clothes. She took from her towel holder her face towel. She then turned and took both her freshly aired bath towels from the airing cupboard, she also took her green towelling robe and closed the airing cupboard door. She walked out grabbing the two small rucksacks and other bags. She followed Sandra down the stairs and placed all the bags beside the front door. She then turned right and joined her new friends having her last drink of coffee at her old home.
Just as she was leaving, she picked up the notebook which was left by the phone and wrote a note to her mum and dad -
I am OK mum and dad, but I need to find where I am supposed to be and the person I am supposed to be.
Don’t worry, I have found some new friends, and the stories you hear from school about the incidents are true, it was me and my new friends cleaning house. By the time you read this I will have cleaned out my bank account. Don’t bother to look for me — you won’t find me — when I am ready I will find you.
I’ve also nicked all the money in the house. Total about 1700dks. I pledge as your offspring that I will repay you the whole sum as soon as I am able to.
Nick/Nibs

She left the note on the coffee table, picked up the rucksack which contained her laptop and Tablet computer. She then closed the door on her old life forever, she took her house keys off her key-ring and posted them through the letterbox. She turned and joined her new friends who were standing in the driveway waiting for her to join them. When she had climbed on behind Sandra she looked back at the house, sad that she had been forced to run-away, but she was also happy she was in control of her actions and she knew what she would be doing. For some unknown reason she knew this was the life she was suppose to lead. Abs, Tina and Paul each carrying one of Nibs’ rucksacks. Her bathroom equipment and plastic bag were in the box on Paul’s bike.
By 05:00AN that day she had transferred 3000dks she had her main bank account into her Street Ghost account and ordered a Street Ghost Debit Card. She smiled when she remembered Uthura telling her, ‘the Street Ghost Bank is officially called the 10th Bank of Echo Tech City. All Full Street Ghosts when they are sponsored get an account opened and the account number is your password to the system. The bank has regular customers, but the entire upper management are retired Street Ghosts.’ Outside the seventh Surra National Bank, she checked her Street Ghost Account, and saw it had 14,000 decks ready available funds. ‘I need to email Damien and tell him that I’m now a full ghost.’
At about 06:00AN, Sandra and her drove slowly past her old home and saw mum sitting in the chair crying, a City Security car was parked behind the car mum used to get to work. Dad had his arm wrapped around her and sat on the other sofa was a Security officer and walking into the room she saw a second. She felt a tear welled up in her eye which she had to wipe away.
“How long before you plan to see them?” came over the communication system from Sandra.
“No idea. How long is a piece of string? When I am ready to.”
The two said nothing until they got back to Home Base.
“Shopping tomorrow.” She had a happy smile on her face.
“Yeah, shopping and you become a true Gangrel.”

*****

The pair walked through the front door after parking Sandra’s bike in the under-house garage. She saw Paul lounging in one of the armchairs in front of the fireplace. Tina and Abs were sat at the breakfast bar, drinking a hot drink and quietly chatting and laughing together. Sat on the comfy sofas around the coffee table was Darla with her back to the front door. Sat on the floor in front of her were the twins, Angel and Damieel. Sat on one of the other sofas was someone she had seen hanging out with the Footbaal team. She had no idea who he was, as she never took any notice of who was in the team. The only members she knew the names of were the main bullies.
Sandra turned towards her so she could take her jacket, and saw her face and the look of ‘what the hell is he doing here?’
“Oh shit, we forgot to tell you Nibs. Allow me to introduce Gary Sutherland, the only member of the Vixens not to be at the party over the weekend,” Sandra responded to her angry face.
“As I think it would be bad protocol to give him what for, I’ll leave it,” she whispered angrily in Sandra’s ear.

Paul looked up and around to see Nibs slamming the front door hard, with Nibs on the outside. “Gary?” he asked Sandra looking quizzical.
Sandra replied with a nodded yes. “Right.”
”I’ll explain the politics. I’ll leave you to talk to Gary.”
”Ok.”
At this point he noticed Gary had looked up from reading the Surra National Times. He guessed Gary was wondering why his name had been said and no one had said hi or anything else.
”Gary,” he said, “You remember Sandra asked about Nick joining the Vixens?”
“Yeah,” replied Gary.
“Nick said yes, except it’s Nibola Calton, not Nick we gained as a member.”
“Oh! I poked my head around the canteen door and saw you lot sat where The Gorillas normally sat, I also saw The Hunk go sprawling after the new female with you had landed the knee.”
“Yes her.”

*****

Outside, Nibs sat on the top step and started to roll a fresh Cambar cigarette.
Sandra walked out behind her, closed the front door and sat beside her. “Sorry hun we should have told you about Gary this morning but it did slip my mind.”
“Well at least he never hurt me either physically or emotionally. He just stood there and allowed it to happen. Which is just as bad,” she said putting the Cambar cigarette into her mouth and flicked her lighter to light the tip. She then took a deep draw through the Cambar cigarette.
“True and he never would have done anything to hurt you,” replied Sandra. “As a Gangrel he respects all life except those we are paid to hurt or those who want to hurt us or our friends.”
There was a pause.
“I guess you have no idea concerning gang politics and the regulations we as Gang members live under at the school and in general society?” continued Sandra.
“No I don’t. They never really bothered me until now.”
“Let me explain how the youth culture works at the school and throughout Suraban. The Footbaal Team or as they are known on the streets ‘The Aces’, run the student side of the school, they vet all the hall monitors, and such. As a side-line some of the members bully those who are weaker or those who stand out as different. They also hate the Gangrels ‘cause they get their butts handed to them regularly when Gangrel units are hired to help other gangs kick their arses in battle, something to do with them being arrogant. Simon and a couple more teachers belong to an organisation called Central which makes sure the various gangs, which the school has seven at the last count, don’t declare open war when on school grounds.”
She looked questionably as Sandra.
“Yes, Simon, we had a smoke with, he’s the main contact Central has in the school. From what we as Gangrels know it’s an organisation set up by the city government about 15 years ago to oversee the affairs of the youths and young adults until about the age of 24. As Suraban has always had a high percentage of Street Gangs a lot of the work is at making sure they don’t break the laws of Suraban and Surra. As both the Gangrels and the Aces are members we follow Central’s rules concerning firearms and things like that. Frodar evening’s fun with the Vents, all the bullets we were carrying.”
“Were blanks,” she responded, “I noticed that when you passed me the 77.”
“Yeah,” said Sandra, “A school rule enforced by Central is that the various Gangs are forbidden to help a member of the student body who is not a listed member of the same gang.”
“I see now, with that rule what you did was the most you could do.”
“Yes,” said Sandra. “You probably already guessed that the pistols we all carry are armed with live rounds.”
“I actually hadn’t noticed to be honest.”
“That is a blatant breaking of the rules that all weapons unless you are heading to a War Zone or to a free fire zone or an area designated as a live fire area, must be loaded with blanks.”
“Why break that rule?” she asked questionly.
“A few years ago Central ran a group called Centra. Basically Centra was Central’s policing arm. Except Centra got accused of corruption, Central investigated and dissolved the force. Queen Sarah, our leader, now, back then she had just been transferred from the Bitch Vixens to one of the Command Units, had been negotiating privately with the leadership of Central that should Centra be dissolved the Gangrels become the policing force. Central signed the contract instructing The Gangrels be Central’s policing force two months after the disbandment of Centra. Within the contract are instructions concerning certain rules, like the carrying of live rounds in our weapons and the positioning of hides on the bikes or other vehicles were lost in the neither worlds.”
She then offered the Cambar cigarette to Sandra, who took it and removed her lighter from her pouch so she could relight it.
After taking a draw Sandra continued, “Central like the Street Ghost world respects the Gangrels Street Gang for the simple reason, we understand the responsibility of carrying weapons and live ammo. All members are also trained in how to handle firearms ranging from pistols to heavy machine guns responsibly.” She looked at Sandra with a face saying how come. “I should say all Gangrels spend thirteen weekends at command up in South Docks District learning how to be a Gangrel, but with people like yourself , it’s pointless you know how to handle a weapon and how to defend yourself. A big part of it is learning how to be safe with firearms and also marksmanship. I can triple tap a human sized target, with my Tard Kinetic 44 Heavy Automatic, and stop him dead at 150metres.”
“You’ll stop most people dead with one bullet fired from that cannon,” she responded wearing a smile. “I think I see now, but that still don’t explain Gary inside.”
“Gary, a full member of the Gangrels with one and a half years front line combat experience with the South Blue Ridge Maulers and six months with us the Bitch Vixens, has a good set of legs and is an excellent Tight Receiver and had been playing for two years previous to the Aces arriving. When the footbaal team arrived after the summer holidays a couple of years ago, everyone on the old team was put on notice that you either join or we put you in hospital. Gary was going to quit, he played because he enjoyed playing, but under the new regime he found it very difficult to continue. He was specifically asked by the coach to stay on the team. With the hatred the Aces have for us Gary keeps his Gangrel membership a secret.”
“Now I understand,” she said.

*****

“I must say she has some nice moves. I hear she broke his nose with the knee.” Gary said.

When Nibs and Sandra had finished taking outside, Sandra opened the door and walked in slightly ahead of her. When the door had opened the silence that fell over the room was palpable.
Darla turned to look at the pair saying, “Hi Nibs, good day I hear?”
As she walked in she saw that Darla was holding two long leashes which were attached to the collars Angel and Damieel wore.
She handed her jacket to Sandra who took them and the shoulder holsters to their room.
Gary said, she realised he was trying to break the silence that had descended, “I must say, nice knee young…” Gary paused for a noticeable second, “lady” continued Gary.
“Why thank you Gary,” she replied.

“Some introductions are in order I think.” Paul said realizing that Nibs had been told who Gary was, wasn’t going to say anything and other than him telling Gary who Nibs was and had been was also not willing to be the first to break the silence. “Nibola Calton also known as Nibs, this is Gary Sutherland, Gary Nibs,” Paul then paused for a bit and continued, “yeah, that’s a good point, where were you on Frodar night?”
“I was stuck at a footbaal event and spent the entire weekend celebrating the league win. I have to play a maximum of three more games before I can be free of that fucking bunch of twats,” answered Gary.

Nibs just burst out laughing when she realized Gary either was playing dum or he had no idea who she had been. “I think a slightly better introduction is in order,” she said. “Before I came to the party on Frodar I was known as Nicholas Calton, the guy, you and those twats use to bully at school.”
“Fecking hell!” Gary exclaimed. “You have got to be kidding.”
“No we ain’t, Gary,” interjected Sandra as she walked back into the living room.
She guessed playing along as when she looked at her she winked, “this is the same person.”
“Feck, I still don’t believe it.” With this he stood and walked past the cross sofa. When he was in front of her he went down on bended knee, “I apologise to you Nick for the hell that I may have put you through.” Gary stood sticking his hand out and before Nibs could say anything, “and welcome Nibola Calton,” he moved and whispered in her ear, “I hope I can call you Nibs.” As he moved back he went back to his normal voice, “to your new life as a Gangrel.”
She stood there in complete shock, “I was going to tell you off for calling me Nick, but then I realized what you were doing, certainly, everyone else knows me as Nibs.”
Abs got up and headed for where the coffee percolator was stood, empty. She then heard the water running as she headed for the pile of bean bags and cushions. Sandra followed her and sat in the one of the two arm chairs, closest to where she was sitting.
“Thank you, Nibs,” replied Gary as he sat back down looking relieved.
“When I saw you I weren’t sure who you were, but seeing as you were with Paul and Sandra, and had taken ‘The Hunk’ himself down, I made myself scarce.”
“I only wanted ‘The Hunk’ and Detrick, Simoine was an added bonus.”
As she sat down she took her PDU from her pouch and looked at the charge meter, which was reading almost empty. She got back up and walked to the bedroom where she removed the charger block from the rucksack and clipped the PDU into it. She then returned to the living room, only to see Sandra had nicked where she had been, leaving the arm chair free. She plugged the charger into the four plug wall socket that was beside the fireplace and placed the charger and PDU with the rest of the mobiles on the mantel piece.
She sat in the arm chair smiling at Sandra who was smiling back. Sandra moved so to sit beside her left leg, resting her head on her left thigh. Abs brought over a tray on which was a hot drink for everyone.
The conversation went from subject to subject until Gary said, “My weekend wasn’t all that bad, I did make contact with a Street Dealer at Samueal’s celebration on Savraday, and from that meeting, he contacted me yesterday and has offered us some Street Ghost work even though we are only associates.”
“Oh, who’s employing?” she asked
“Who the target?” asked Paul.
Everyone’s head turned to look at Gary.
“The Street Dealer wants some computer files from an low security office block in Eban Hill district. He said it was paying 10,000 each member plus up to 10,000 deck expenses account,” replied Gary
“Who’s the target?” asked Darla.
“The law firm of Juliet and Daughters.”
“Interesting,” she said as she took out her tin and loaded her patar. She then took the lighter which was tied to the arm and lit the flame and took a draw from the patar.
“What is Hun?” asked Sandra and turned her head to look at her face.
“I’m wondering what the law firm is working on to warrant a Street Ghost team going in,” she said. “Gary do you know who is employing?” She then took a second draw from the patar. She then offered the pipe to Sandra, who showed the Cambar cigarette she had. She then took the last draw from the pipe and then reached over and emptied it in the ash tray.
“The Street Dealer said Ittsu Tech is the employer. I think he has more information when we accept,” replied Gary.
“Mm,” she said, “What is Ittsu doing that warrants a law firm having information they want.”
“True,” said Tina.
Sandra reached up and grabbed her collar and dragged her head down to where her head was, “It’s getting late, and I’m tired hun. It’s been a long few days,” whispered Sandra into her ear over a stifled yawn.
“Yeah me too.” She also covered a yawn. They got up both saying, “Night everyone,” as they moved towards the bedrooms.
“When you next down this way Gary?” she asked
“Not tomorrow, on Ulleam, I’ve got deliveries tomorrow and I think dad wants me to run some errands on Ulleam morning,” replied Gary as he stood and joined Darla and the Twins in getting their jackets from the hooks in the bedroom corridor.
“Oh yeah Darla. I’m having a girls shopping trip, you’re invited.”
“Ok, ring me in the morning when you have decided where you are going, and we three,” as Darla indicated Angel, Damieel and herself, “Shall join the fun. And I bet it is going to be fun.”

*****

As Sandra and her left the living room she said, “I would have thought Darla would have left the twins at home tomorrow if they have been bad.”
“Nah, Darla will punish them tonight and that will be the last of it.”
“Ok.” She followed Sandra to her room.
Sandra closed the door of her bedroom to the outside world. She then grabbed her around the neck and kissed her passionately on the lips. She returned the invitation and the two of them spun around until they both fell over the bed and landed with her on the bottom and Sandra on top. Sandra pinned both of her arms to the bed and sat on her stomach. She then dragged them together above her head. She was playfully fighting her trying to get her hands free.

Even though Nibs was only play fighting Sandra could feel Nibs’ strength. Her muscles were tight and well toned. She removed one hand when the other hand had hold of both of Nibs’ wrists. She reached over and opened a drawer in her bedside cabinet, removing a couple of hand cuffs and cuffed both of Nibs’ hands to the end of the bed all the time smiling evilly.
The rest of the night was full of interesting fun.

Chapter 8

Torbar 18th Juwar
Sandra heard a noise from the area around her wardrobe, slowly opened her eyes to look a pair of dark blue cords. “Uhhmmmm, Paul!” her tone was, ‘what do you want in there’.
“Sorry sis, I need to find the Jhann box.”
“It’s in your bedside cupboard.”
“Oh yeah, I remember now, sorry.” Paul ran out of the bedroom.
She looked at the disappearing form as a pillow was launched at his back, with some power behind it.
“What the heck!” exclaimed Paul as Nibs’ head appeared from under the covers.
“Sorry Paul. I have no idea where I got that strength from, it just happened,” responded Nibs in apologetic tones.
“Not to worry,” replied Paul and Paul’s head appeared around the door frame, “it was only a pillow.”
“Do you mind,” she said suddenly, “the Gangrels may have a uni sex policy that covers all genders and perceived, but Nibs has lead a sheltered life, now get and let us up or the next thing flying will be my fist, and you’re yet to beat me bro.”
“I know. I’m gone.” Paul then reached in and pulled the door shut

Nibs blinked a couple of times and then rubbed the sleep clear from her eyes.
Sandra said when she had sat up on her elbows, “3 inches left and you would have hit his back.”
“That’s not bad for eyes closed and only hearing Paul’s voice and footsteps.”
“That isn’t.”
She looked at the clock, it read 10.30BN. “What’s the Jhann Box?”
“It’s the Vixens alter box,” replied Sandra.
“Alter box?”
“Yeah both Paul and Tina follow the Path of Paygan.”
”Now I understand. Do you follow it too, hun?”
Sandra replied as she took the Cambar cigarette from the bedside table on her side as well as the lighter, “Not as closely as Paul or Tina, but I do take part in the ceremonies and rites. How about you sweet?”
“I don’t follow a specific mythos or path as such, I mix and match bits from a lot of the traditional mythos, especially ones native to Jarrzar and that area.”
She sat up properly, took the half-smoked Cambar cigarette from her side’s bedside table ashtray, lit it, and took a draw from it.
“Garribon mu tunni Sandra san,” she said out of the blue.
“What did you just say, hun?” asked Sandra after taking a draw and expelling the smoke.
”I love you, Sandra in Street Jarrzarian,” she replied. “I’m fluent in all Jarrzarian from the High stuff you would speak to people from above your station, to Street which is what 80% of Jarrzar speaks.”
“Bloody hell, you are a person of many talents, Nibola,” responded Sandra as she swung her legs out and stood up. Sandra removed her blue bath robe from the corner of the bed and slipped it on.
“You going to get up, I’m planning on making you a little more feminine today, like plucking your eyebrows and generally getting rid of your unwanted hair.” Sandra headed out of the bedroom and across the corridor to the bathroom.
She could hear the running of water.
“Ok hun.” She swung her legs out, grabbed her green bath robe from the corner of the bed and slipped it on. She followed Sandra across the passageway to the bathroom, when upon entering she closed the door and sat on the side of the bath.
Sandra turned around and saw her sitting on the edge of the bath. Sandra turned back and took out from the cupboard a pair of tweezers, then she turned to face her and said, ”Look up at me and close your eyes hun.”
She closed her eyes and looked up at Sandra while she started to remove the unwanted hair from her eyebrows.
After a short period of sharp spikes of pain, from Sandra pulling and shaping the brows, she stopped and said, “Open your eyes and look.”
She opened her eyes and saw a mirror in front of her face showing the new shape and style of her eyebrows. She smiled as her eyes actually looked feminine rather than the mess they had been.
Sandra stooped, checked the temperature of the water with her hand turning the cold tap off. Sandra turned back to the cupboard and took from the top of the cupboard above the sink an incense stick, which she lit and placed in a holder on the toilet cistern. Sandra checked the water again and turned the hot tap off, untied the belt which held her bathrobe closed, it slipped to the ground and she climbed into the bath. “You getting in here?”
“Yeah.” She untied her bathrobe and it joined Sandra’s on the floor. She climbed in and sat between Sandra’s legs. The bath was surprising bigger than it looked stood looking down at it. Both of them had their legs outstretched. Sandra wrapped her arms around her waist and nibbled her ear. She smiled and reached behind her and sent her hand down.
After twenty minutes sitting in the bath enjoying each other’s company, Sandra and her heard a bike engine start then after it revved high they heard a loud clunk and the engine died.
“Oh crap, that don’t sound good” said Sandra. “I wonder whose bike that was?”
“Bloody thing.” They heard through the open bathroom window.
Both of them said “Abs,” in answer to Sandra’s question.

*****

After about an hour of relaxing in a lovely hot bath Sandra got out, took a couple of towels from the airing cupboard and wrapped one around her upper body. She left the second one on the closed toilet. After Sandra had got out, she had moved back so she was leaning against the slopped end of the bath. She was still smiling, it not having changed since Sandra had finished her eyebrows. Sandra opened the cupboard door, removing her shaving stuff and said when she was again facing her, “Would you lift your left leg and put it on the edge of the bath please.”
”Ok.” She did as she had been told to. Sandra then spent the next half hour shaving her legs, arms and her private areas. When Sandra had stood up after finishing the area around her groin, she got out, patted herself down and put her bathrobe on. She headed into the bedroom, and collected her wash-kit from the top of the dresser. She returned to the bath room, and saw Sandra, just topping hairs as they appeared. She ran a washing bowl full of water and shaved her face very close.
It was about 13.00BN when the pair walked into the living room dressed and ready for shopping, only to have the front door slam open, and an annoyed Abs storm in from the driveway. The living room itself was in a state which Paul was sorting out slowly.
“What happened here?” asked Sandra.
“Paul,” replied Tina who was sat at the breakfast bar.
“Arh.”
She walked into the kitchen area. “Coffee, love?”
“No thanks. I’ll do us both a chai,” replied Sandra as she followed her into the area and shooed her out.
“Oh, thanks.” She was wearing a shocked expression on her face. She then headed for the mantle piece and took her PDU off charge, powering it up.
Abs was stood over the sink washing her hands. “Looks like I’m not going shopping today!”
“Oh why not?” she asked as she looked up from sitting on the sofa. She tapped the NetViewer and after it had loaded and displayed her designed BlackNet home page, where she looked at her BlackNet inbox which was the top item on the page under the titles.
“My bike’s timing chain came loose and has gotten lodged in the cam casing.”
“Was that the clunk we heard earlier?” asked Sandra whilst waiting for the milk to heat up on the cooker.
“Yes it was,” replied Abs very angrily.
“Hun,” replied Tina. “You’re riding pillion with me. We can get your bike fixed later or tomorrow.”
She looked up saying after seeing a couple of new messages, but they weren’t from either Jum or Wong. “I’ll give you a hand with it. I’m pretty good with electronic and mechanical things, especially security systems.” She had a smile on her face as she opened the top one and clicked the link that sent her to YoungTrans site. She opened the site’s own inbox and opened the unread message, it read — ‘Hi, I just heard about your excellent news, I hope to see you on the scene soon. Mike.’
Both Tina and Abs looked at Nibs and said simultaneously, “What?”
“Yeah, I break into a people’s houses and then upgrade the security system. I was planning on either going into the freelance business testing security systems or joining one of the big security companies when I finished college.” She then tapped her PDU’s stylus on the button which would take her to the various forum boards after she had made a note to reply to Mike’s email.
“Hell yeah,” exclaimed Abs. “We’ve found her. The one person we needed in the team.”

After a few seconds Paul remembered what Nibs had said yesterday at school. “That’s how you were able to recognize a professional job on the camera.”
”Yeah,” said Nibs and nodded. “You do know that to be taken seriously in the Street Ghost world you need to hold full Street Ghost licences.”

“Yes,” replied Sandra from the kitchen. “As Gangrels when we turn 18 all we have to do is ask and one of the adult members to sponsors us.”
“All of the Vixens know how to handle themselves in a fight, both with and without firearms. We are professional, well trained and well armed. The HK 77 you had on Frodar is one of our standard firearms for most of our combat work.” Abs continued, “We also use M22 Assault Carbines.”
“Our Associate Street Ghost listing says we are an all-girl team,” said Paul smiling as the news.
“An all-girl team?”
“Yeah, the team used to include just me, but six months ago Gary joined us as a member, we are honorary girls. We both have to wear battle makeup and try to look as fem as possible. It’s kind of fun as we scare most of the local gangs when we are out in full Goth battle dress,” said Paul.
“I bet you do,” she responded. “Two big hulking girls, how come Gary only joined six months ago?” she requested whilst looking down the main topics displayed. Nibs selected one called Corporate No-Nos.
“Ask Gary that, Nibs, he loves telling people who ask.”
“Ok as long as your there too hun.” Scanned through the list of various No-Nos
“Ok”, replied Sandra. As Sandra started she looked up and saw her walking towards the sofas carrying two cups both had steam rising from them. “Seven months ago, the Black Snake gang from North Hills were challenged to a War Zone by the Red Wing gang from Western Beeches. The Black Snakes contacted us, the Bitch Vixens and two other Gangrel units to support their leader's plan of attack. Red Wing got wind of the contact, somehow, but had no idea which Gangrel units had been employed. The plan called for the Vixens to launch an assault on the centre zone with Gary’s and Tybias Mitten’s units to our left and right respectively. The overall plan was to have the Vixens and the other units’ assault first with the support of the Black Snakes.”
She walked to the sofa and sat in what had become her usual seat the corner one nearest the wall and door to the bed room corridor. She looked through the long list of No-Nos and at the end hadn’t found anything on the situation between Ittsu and the law firm. ‘I wonder why not.’ She tapped the post button and scribbed a message to the board asking is anyone had any information on what Ittsu was up to at the moment. The message also asked for information on the Law Firm and the general security setup at the company’s offices.
“One problem was that the Red Wings tried to second-guess the plan and placed the bulk of their forces facing Gary’s unit. Tybias blasted through the defences in record time. We were taking some fire from the left and could see that Gary’s unit faced a lot of the defences. We asked Tybias’ unit to turn left and mop up our assault zone which was falling apart, whilst we moved in support of Gary’s unit, which we did, in the end the combined assault of the Vixens coming in on the flank. The fire base Gary's unit and the supporting Black Snakes had set up proved to be too much for the Red Wings, who retreated. At the time the leader of the Red Wings had thought he had lost the battle badly.”
Paul continued after lighting a blunt, “I think Darla contacted him a little while later and let him know he had bloodied the Black Snakes and almost destroyed to the last man a high ranked B+ Assault Unit. We are talking Gary's unit was almost an A-rated Gangrel unit. From what Darla said his reaction to this news was more shock and surprise than anything else. She also added that he shouldn’t be too disappointed as not many gangs can say they survived a major assault by three Gangrel units working in conjunction with support forces. To finish how Gary joined the Vixens - only four members of his unit survived, and they had a twelve man unit to start with. One member died before Darla could get to him to stabilize his wounds, the other two got patched up but they left active service and have not yet returned.”
She then opened her BlackNet email and selected compose message and sent one to Damien saying that she was about to enter the Biz with a new team from the high school she went to.
”In the scheme of Street Gang politics and money, hiring two A-rated Gangrel units and a high B+-rated one was a coup for the Black Snakes. Major cudos with the local Gangs,” added Abs.
”A-rated?” she asked.
”Yeah, Gangrel units are rated according to their professionalism, training and basic equipment. The Vixens are one of the top A-rated units. Gary’s was and Tybias’ units is also rated quite highly and have a good reputation on the streets,” answered Paul.
“My next question may sound stupid, but where do the gangs buy weapons and equipment from?”
“Most gangs have been in existence for quite a while, and a lot of it is done through fences or the Black or Grey markets, but some gangs go to Battle Zone Supplies in the North of the city, which is a major arms supplier to the gangs and Ghost communities,” replied Sandra.
“I know about Battle Zone Supplies.” She then asked, “What about money?”
“How do gangs operate, black market, ransoms, and other semi-legal money-making schemes,” replied Tina, “most try and hide there illegal activities from Central and their investigators which if the rumours I’ve heard are true then it should become a came of cat and moulzua, where Central and the Gangrels are the cats and the Gangs are the Moulzuai.”
“Plus the Gangrels think some gangs are also sponsored by the corps,” said Abs, “and Gary thinks the Aces are one of those.”
“I think some gang members supply their own weapons directly from the corporate military supply centres,” said Paul, “Some of the weapons we’ve seen have been too modern to be supplied by the other methods.”
After spending twenty minutes chatting and laughing at some of the battles that the Bitch Vixens had had, and some of the places she had ‘upgraded’.
Sandra and her stood up and headed for the bedroom to finish getting ready. Thirty minutes later the pair walked back into the living room, both looking drop dead gorgeous Giths. Each was wearing the opposite, where she wore black, Sandra wore deep purple, and where Sandra had black she had deep purple. The makeup was one of sultry drop dead gorgeous Gith
“We ready then?” asked Sandra.
“Yeah we are,” both Abs and Tina said as they headed for their room.
“Where are you three talking me then?”
“The Harliquanis Shopping Mall in South Peninsula District, the best mall to go to for Githic clothing outlets and the surrounding back streets house the best other specialist outlets in the alternative lifestyles. The only problem is that it also has several famous CHM (Corporate Housing Members) outlets heavily used by the CHM posse, which generally make for some interesting times. That’s a good point how much money have you got to play with?” Sandra asked.
“Cash, seventeen hundred, Bank, fourteen thousand.” She smiled a little as she remembered research work and the other lessons and things she had learnt from Cameron’s Raiders.
“Fourteen thousand!” exclaimed Paul and he just stared at her, “How come?”
“Seven thousand for some research work I’ve done for people. Four thousand from the security upgrades, and three thousand for my allowance.”
“Ok, that’s damn good pay for research work,” said Paul.
“The research work included finding information about high security installations and similar.”
“Ok,” said Paul.
“Anyone rung Darla yet?” asked Sandra.
“Not yet.” replied Tina as she walked back in wearing her leather jacket. She grabbed her mobile from the mantle piece, she quick-dialled Darla and told her where they were going.
As the four girls walked out of the house and down the stairs to where the bikes were kept. Abs’ in pieces to one side of the driveway. Sandra and Tina walked into the garage and wheeled their bikes out into the fresh air.
“Nibs you can drive,” said Sandra to her.
“I’m not legal to drive.”
“Like we give a shit,” responded Tina as she stood the bike on its kick stand, “The Bitch Vixens all ride so you might as well get used to it and get some practice at it.” Tina slid her gloves over her hands.
Sandra smiled at her and handed her a pair of biker gloves. She put them on and flexed her fingers and walked towards Sandra’s bike which like Tina’s was on its kick stand.
“Ok, at some point I’m going to need a bike I guess,” she said
“Yeah, I guess so,” responded Sandra, sounding a bit disappointed, which she picked up on and gave her a quick kiss on her check.
Paul stood on the veranda and said, “See you guys later.” He turned and walked back into the house and closed the door.
She lifted her left leg over the seat taking the motorbike off its kick stand, this being her second time of riding, she balanced the weight between her legs. The first time she had driven it, she was on a party high, fuelled by the Cambar and the entry into the true unknown world. Using her right boot she flicked out the kick start. She then stood on it and pushed hard against the resistance in the starter motor. The engine caught. As the engine fired into life she twisted the throttle which fed more fuel into the air stream, revved the engine to make sure it had started. When the bike engine had settled into a purr Sandra handed her the communication system. Which she placed the ear piece in her ear and wrapped the microphone band around her neck, making sure it was resting against her voice box. “Testing, one, two, three.” came over the earpiece.
“Everyone hear that?” asked Sandra.
“Yeah,” came the response from the three girls.
Tina straddled her bike then like her, slammed the kick start down and started her bike. Abs climbed behind Tina. Sandra joined her on her bike. The two bikes’ engines revved in unison, and both drivers selected first gear, released the clutch and pulled up the driveway away from the under-house garage, the engine sounds echoing off the wooden clad walls of the house and surrounding houses. They turned left into the minor street that ran in front of Paul’s and Sandra’s house. This being the second time in daylight and not on a party fuel high. She looked up and down the street, quite a few houses up and down the street looked as if they were derelict. She could see that people still lived in them from the washing lines or cars, bikes and kids’ toys that sat in front gardens. Home Base and the one opposite were the only ones that still had all the windows and were painted. Most of the houses had at least one window broken, or most of the front windows boarded up, after being broken by vandals or local street gangs.
Sandra’s voice came over the communication system. “Most of the houses on both sides are used by drug users as squats or ultra-low income families,” Sandra said to her as she looked around at the run-down state of the neighbourhood.
“Corporate politics and profit margins must be maintained, I guess,” she responded her face being one of ‘what have they done to deserve this type of life’.
“What’s even worse is most of the families used to work for the corporations before job cutbacks, or they got too old to be economical to retrain in the new ways of doing business,” said Tina in response to her statement.
“The more I see of this side of city life, the more I hate the corporations and the more I want to get even somehow.”
“Snap,” said Sandra.
Sat outside the house on the right hand side behind the houses on the main road were three gents, all looking high on something. The front door slammed open and out staggered a female, looking as if she was on the upside of a high, as she slumped down on the steps that led to the house, happy and contented.
“What gets dealt in there?” she asked.
“No idea,” answered Abs.
As the bikes slowed and indicated left at the junction to head for the start of IC7, the four girls saw a three-trailer road train driving towards then coming from the direction of IC7. The truck driver pulled the horn and stuck his fist out of the window in salute when he saw the girls and the bikes. Tina, closely followed by her, pressed the buttons that sounded the bike horns, returning the salute until the tractor had passed them. After the last trailer passed, Tina was the first to accelerate to cross the road, she followed and accelerated down the main road.

*****

As she followed Tina down the road, her eyes were glancing around taking things in, her improve vision seeing the little things that made the neighbourhood tick. As they passed one corner she saw one Ajzarian gent subutelly handing a package to a female from Deebina. She also noticed the state of the houses, apartments and tenantment blocks. She knew a lot of the problems were down to the corporations control of the world government and the various country governments. She saw that both sides of the street were lined with run-down apartment complexes, small disused stores, and derelict town houses. Most were either burnt out or had the ground and first floors windows broken and or they had been completely removed. Only a few small convenience stores were still open and even these had some form of screening for the windows. A couple of low-C-ranked Mini malls also ran the normal 26hr service. She saw that stood close to the door in one was a security person, probably employed and trained by the corporation owning the store. The street life was one of survival more than anything, and trash recycling of the corporate enclaves that dotted the area.
The two motor-bikes travelled down the main road towards the start of IC7, they drove past two of the best known sites in South Central; South Central Free Fire, an area where the local and corporate security forces don’t go unless they have massive backup. The other was Diaballibo Tech Corporate Enclave. The entire enclave was surrounded by a ten-foot high wall topped with cartal razor wire and covered 691,412square metres. As she looked around she noticed the camera on the top of the wall, near the corner of the wall, tracked them as they approached and as the passed it kept them in sight. About 100 yards from the corner was a fully-manned security checkpoint she glanced at the checkpoint and saw two security personal stood on the borders and they were again watching the bikes. As they approached, at probably around 75metres away, she was able to determine what assault rifles they were carrying, D-300s with smart scopes attached to the carrying handle. This fact immediately rang alarm bells in her head. As the bikes passed, she glanced at the gap in the wall and saw a sand bag gun emplacement and a security armoured vehicle.
“Touchy,” she stated over the communication system.
“Yeah slightly. Did you see the camera, it tracked us,” stated Sandra in response.
“Did you see the firepower the guards were carrying?” responded Abs, “Full assault rifles with what looked like smart scopes.”
“I did, I also looked in to the compound, they also had what looked like a full gun emplacement and a security armoured vehicle, with I think a 30mm cannon. That’s some serious firepower,” she replied. The alarm bells stopped, as what she had read a couple of weeks earlier on the BlackNet Forums concerning a massive raid on a Tech enclave clicked. The assault rifles, the gun emplacement and security vehicle meant it’s either happened and they are making sure no one comes to finish the job or they have gotten wind of it and are making sure that when it does happen they are stopped dead. “Someone is planning a hit or one has just happened,” she said.
“You watchaing the road, hun,” said Sandra to her after tapping her on the shoulder.
She shook her head, clearing the thought processes, and went back to concentrating on the thing at hand, driving the bike. “Sorry, miles away.”
“I guessed.”

*****

The bikes travelled on past low-income apartment blocks, low-priced hotels, and other amenities that made a city run and just keep its head above bankruptcy. Arriving at the start of IC7 the two bikes headed around the roundabout coming off on the exit that was the start of IC7. The IC7 was the main north road leading to the city of Sheatrate the capital of Sheedan, some 2700 kilometres away. She saw Tina as she indicated to come off she opened the accelerator and the bike accelerated out of the corner onto the middle lane. She followed suit feeling the arms that Sandra had wrapped around her waist slightly tighten and as she came out of the corner she too opened the throttle and accelerated. She also joined, after exiting the roundabout, the middle lane and as the speedometer passed 60mph, she pressed the button that engaged the cornering auto-gyro. When she felt the effects of the auto-gyro she pulled the clutch and put the bike into sixth and opened the throttle, she soon joined Tina in the outside land and accelerated, they both were travelling at close to 200kph and flew pass cars, trucks. Other bikers came onto the IC7 and most if they could reach the speed the pair were doing were driving with the four girls.
After travelling 20 kilometres they approached the bridge that connected the South Docks with Western Docks Districts, when they saw a sign that said the ‘Bridge Closed - major incident’, and diversion signs that lead them up river to the next bridge, which was a main road, not an IC. As the bikes slowed to come off the IC she indicated to turn right and follow the diversion sign. Sandra said over the comm. system, “Turn left here Nibs, use the disused tunnels, its quicker and easier.”
“What, the sub-rail tunnel that was closed forty years ago due to water seepage?”
“Yeah, and the story about water seepage is bollocks, no water has ever seeped into the tunnel system. From what the Gangrels and other people in the know, it was costing too much to maintain the tunnels to the level of safety the World Government wanted. So to save money they closed them, the mole people now use the entire network of tunnels, the old subsurface areas, sewers and old tunnels to live in.”
She changed the indicator and followed Tina as she turned left and headed up the main road towards the coast and East Stevran District, as the bikes had slowed and pulled off the five other bikers headed right and followed the diversion signs. The two bikes travelled down the main road until Tina indicated right and joined a secondary road that ran through a light industry industrial park. After a couple of miles the road exited the light industrial park and drove through an area of wasteland. She looked around and saw the tell-tale signs of battles between various forces. The wasteland area was covered in burnt out wrecks, bullet ridden vehicles and motor-bikes. They soon approached the fencing that marked the land area belonging old Storm and flood drains of the River Stevran. The storm and flood drains were now disused as the river was managed upstream on the edge of the Low Back Foothills. She was again glancing around as the other side of the road were the backs of low income apartments and squats, mixed in with small light industrial units, some were open and other looked closed but they had lights on inside. The other side of the fence she saw piles of human-dumped rubbish and the odd 25-gallon drum, most had labels that had faded or had been removed deliberately.
As the fence continued the girls came upon an unlocked gate, being held slightly opened, by piles of pallets and a couple of sealed drums. The entrance was not wide enough to allow bikes to drive through at speed, and so both bikes slowed, negotiated the opening and continued for a short way at the same height as the road way. They then came upon a down-ramp, that would lead them down to the bottom of the Storm Drain.
“Only half a mile more to go until the entrance to the tunnels,” said Sandra.
After half a mile both bikes slowed to about 10 miles per hour and entered the tunnels through another gate, this one was hanging off its hinges. Tina, who was in the lead, turned her twin headlights on to high-beam. Almost immediately the light highlighted a dog that looked at the approaching bikes and ran into a small side tunnel. After a couple of miles of a downhill slope, the tunnel opened into a large tunnel, which was well lit from overhead halogen lamps. The tracks that ran up the middle had been removed, probably by the mole people so they could be used as building or tunnel construction supports. After about half a mile the bikes entered into an area where on each side of the tunnel were raised platforms, which looked very much like the subway station they had learnt about in history. On the platforms were various sizes of area divided up by material, plasterboard, wood or other thin large boards. Playing in the middle where the tracks would have ran were twenty odd children aged between three and about thirteen. Sat on the platform edges, with their legs hanging down, were a few older children. Most had some form of firearm, and if not they definitely had a close-combat weapon lying in their laps or close by. She saw in some of the homes, for want of a better word, people cooking on electric stoves, computers with what looked like net access, and out of one home came some music that she loved to listen to.
“The rejects from society?” she asked just as they exited the station.
“Yeah the Mole People,” replied Tina. “The rejects and oppressed, in some cases. From what I learnt in history, the sub-way tunnels run throughout Suraban, and the Mole People have entrances and exits everywhere. I think my father said that at some points it carried between two and three million people a day.”
“Gangrel base central is located in similar tunnels under Western Beeches. Some people speculate that the tunnels and the entire place is far older than the Subway.”
“How come they live down here?” she asked over the communication system.
“Most moved down here when the corps forcibly evicted them from their homes, when the corporate land grab happened. And they have never left the tunnels; most know them like the backs of their hands and can get to most places in the city without being seen by us the surface people, as they call us.”
“Good bunch of people to know then,” she responded.
“Yeah, if and when you make friends,” said Abs. “It’s very hard to make friends down here. They see nearly all of the surface people as corporate wage slaves and hate us accordingly and the ones they don’t they still keep at arm’s length.”
“Arh,” she said in response. “How do they survive though, I saw computers, TVs and lights?”
“That stuff is easy to get, patch the main trunking lines and bingo, power and cable Tele/Net access. It is rumoured that a couple of the bigger corps provide food shipments for the people, it’s not confirmed or denied,” said Sandra.
She knew which corporations would do that, the ones linked to Echo Tech Inc. they had the reputation that they cared for the people who worked for them, and the earlier conversations with Sandra and Timaus, to her meant that it had to be Echo Tech Inc. She also remembered what Mingu had said when Nick was ten, ‘that all the AAA corporations have dirty hands except ATEC and Echo Technology Incorporated whose’ hands were dirty through cleaning up the other corporations’ messes.’ Since that time she had done a lot research into the big fifteen MegaCorporations and found that the reputation Echo Tech Inc and companies had was true. Echo Tech Inc, all the companies under it and ATEC and its family of companies operated as non-profit companies, all their profits got fed into various Trust Funds and it was via them that the companies helped the downtrodden and those not employed by them.
After travelling, quite slowly, for about three quarters of a mile Sandra said, “Be warned hun, be ready to follow Tina if she accelerates. We are very close to an area of the tunnels that few people go though voluntarily. The inhabitants are a lot more ready and willing to kill you for looking at them in the wrong way, also listen for mine or Abs shout to move. Let me fight back, you concentrate on driving.”
“Ok,” she responded as she brought her concentration to max and started to filter noises and sights.
“If it does come down to having to accelerate, hold on to the seat strap. If I hadn’t known security systems so well I would very likely be a professional cycle scrambler, when I was living in Ne-U-Bar I spent the summer with a couple of friends, playing cycle scrambling in some overgrown woods.”

“Ok.” Sandra was secretly smiling to herself in thanks that Nibs could handle a bike, even if it was a push bike, and this wasn’t her first time of being in a situation that may warrant some dangerous driving.
Abs’ voice came over the comm. system, “Get ready.”

“Ok,” Nibs replied.
As the girls drove along the tunnel they approached a section of tunnel that had openings in the wall which led to rough hewn chambers. The walls of the chambers were bare rock, some had lights, others not. Her improved senses kicked in, and as she followed Tina down the middle of the tunnel, she could see Abs had her pistol in her hands, and she sensed Sandra also had her pistol out and cocked. Abs head along with Tina’s constantly moving looking into alcoves and darkened areas. She was also looking; her improved vision penetrating some of the darker alcoves and areas, in these she saw teenagers and young adults not moving but the looked like most of them were carrying some form of close combat weapon or fire-arm. In the back of one alcove she saw three people cross an entrance to a tunnel that ran behind the alcove, in military style, they all carried their weapons in patrol position.
After 150-odd metres, they exited the area and were once again back in more normal-looking tunnels lined with concrete. After travelling about a mile, the girls came upon another station-style place much larger than the one south of the river. From the layout and direction of the tunnels that exited the station, it looked like it had been a major junction. Other than that it was very similar to the one south of the river in that it had lots of people, homes, and children living there.
“Not far now,” said Sandra in her ear.
“Thanks hun.”
After a short distance Tina turned right and accelerated up a tunnel similar to the one they had used to enter the tunnels, south of the river. It was dug out of rock and shored up by the train track and timber shoring. At the top, Tina asked over the communication system, “Which way?”
“Right,” said Sandra in reply to Tina’s question.
“Right it is,” replied Tina
She saw the slow-moving traffic heading for IC7, and followed Tina in turning right. Both bikes turned and headed down the main road that ran beside old heavy industrial sites, and the old Stevran harbour. After travelling about mile and a half, the pair passed a sign indicating they were entering ‘West Docks District - the third largest shipping terminal in the world.’ It was estimated that the five big shipping companies alone handled upwards of 600 million containers each per quarter through the terminal. A smaller separate sign beneath the large main sign said ‘careful heavy containers moving’. The main road the girls were travelling on had fencing on both sides, and at regular intervals were closed gates. Sensors located on tall poles controlled the opening and closing of the gates. Both bikes slowed as a terminal tractor towing a container crossed the road ahead of them, heading into one of the long term storage compounds. On the side of the container was a logo for Military Production Industries. As it passed through the gate, the one opposite opened and when the tractor had crossed the road and was entering the long term storage compound the gate on the far side was closing. She saw it also had a danger - explosives sticker on the rear door and the door catch was secured by a Security Binding Tape. A twenty meter tall mobile gantry crane dropped the hoist securing cradle onto the top of the container.
After about ten minutes the girls turned the bikes north onto a main road that would take them to IC3 and onwards towards the Harliquanis mall. Through out the ride she had been, in addition to seeing the dirt-siders world, looking at how companies and corporations did things. This was the first time other than the foot research she had done for Damien she had been able to actually able to see the world outside what the corporations wanted you to see.
She noticed that a fence ran off the fence on both sides of the road and looked like it divided the docks into two distinct areas. She saw up ahead was a flashing sign indicating diversion in operation. Just ahead of the sign was a gated fence and the main road continuing beyond the closed gates, past two office blocks owned by Xorone Ltd. The skyscrapers were two 60-storey plus affairs built from concrete, metal and glass. Displayed on the right building was Xorone Ltd.’s logo.
As she followed Tina around the diversion, she thought to herself, ‘I need to do some serious research work into the corporations that have their Headquarters and major centres in the city.'
Upon rejoining the main road, the girls turned north and continued driving, moving from West Docks into the District she loved and hated in equal measure, the Foreign Quarter or North Reaches District. She loved the district because she could go and be within the various languages she knew and also pick up the starts of new ones. The hate she felt was against the governments of the controlling countries and their pandering to the various MegaCorporations. She knew at the next election she was going to go and vote but put a cross across the ballot, and void it. She understood that the world needed to change the whole electoral system from system that allowed the Corporations to give the votes to what ever party or person they controlled or knew wouldn’t hurt them. To the system she thought was used in Echo County and one person one vote this would give the people the chance to actually control who was elected and governed.
After travelling through North Reaches District they turned right and headed for IC3.

*****

As the girls approached the on-ramp of IC3, they had to slow, as another hold-up was affecting the on ramp for the IC. As she negotiated the slow moving vehicles, she heard Sandra ring Darla. As the bike was moving relatively slowly, she heard Sandra tell Darla about the hold up and the ETA of them at the mall entrance. After spending forty minutes in the go-slow they passed the hold-up, a five-trailer road train had jack-knifed and was blocking both sides of the IC. IC troopers, local police and rescue were in attendance slowly clearing the backlog of traffic. When the girls had cleared the traffic jam, Sandra rang Darla for a second time and gave an update to their ETA at the Mall.
IC3 had been constructed to include walls that blocked most of the view cars and motor-bikes could see. In places the IC sped along the ground but more often it was ten plus metres up supported on concrete pillars. The bike sped pasted many Corporate enclaves, many of them housing multiple smaller corporations in relative peace. Two of the largest enclaves were 100% owned and managed by Zul, a subsidiary of ATEC Inc; and KRX, a subsidiary of C.Industries. As the IC was on the ground as it passed through the two Enclaves, both sites had exits and entries to the IC on their land, from what she could see all four exits from the IC had security checkpoints. Looking over the walls she could see that most of the area near the IC looked nice, ten storey apartment blocks that looked clean and well maintained on most were wind turbines and also most apartments had hanging plants coming from the roof tops. It gave the buildings a natural look rather than hard and angular that was what people expected from that type of building. The IC rose on another flyover as it exited the KRX enclave, as the bikes climbed you could see the area effected by the corporation extended beyond the border fence.
As the girls neared the end of IC3 they both got into the correct lane for the end of IC off ramps that would take them onto the main road that ran to the shopping district. After about ten minutes of driving they neared the shopping district. As they drove down main shopping street, her eyes were flicking left to right looking at this and that, the massive department stores, the boutiques, and all the people that thronged the street and surrounds most of hours of the day.
As Tina, who was slightly ahead, approached the Harliquanis Shopping Mall, she indicated right and took the filter lane. She slowed as the lights changed and another set went green. After waiting about a couple of minutes as the lights completed the cycle. When the filter lane light changed to green the two bikes accelerated and turned right onto the main road that led around the eastern and northern sides of the Shopping Mall. At the first car-park entrance.
She followed Tina when she indicated left. The bikes crossed the road into the entranceway, slowly negotiating the bike entrance, which allowed motor-bikes and other two-wheeled vehicles free access to the car parks. She followed Tina as she drove through the car-park to the second floor and parked in the bike bay next to the one Tina selected. After she had parked and locked the bike up, she passed her four pistol magazines to Sandra who placed them along with hers into the metal box located just under the fuel tank.
When the magazines where away in the hides Sandra stood and said, “Nice ride thanks, you’re pretty good at handling the bike.”