Episode1Act5Part3

CAST

• Michi Nom
• Karl
• Dorota Kowal
• Sarah Lee
• Carina Yuzu

NOWHERE BUT UP

Apparently the crew is being watched as Carina announces herself through the commlink. On the third floor, the remaining orderlies and guards retreat down the stairs.

"Carina?" Michi says through the commlinks. "Where are you?" The captain asks even as she tries to figure out their next move. They need to get out but out is in the direction the orderlies and guards went, maybe to get reinforcements. Up is....

.... up is the roof. And guess what's on the roof... "Shiny."

"Long's apartment, way upstairs. Watching you on video. Please get out of there before that thing catches you." Carina answers, while she moves to check on Long to see if the woman is still alive.

"Do you need to come with us or can you get out on your own?" Michi asks, before shouldering open the stairwell door. "Up, folks. Not down. We're going to steal us a ship."

Sarah smiles faintly towards Michi, "I like the way you think." She sticks her pistol through, glancing back and forth warily before moving up the stairs, advancing cautiously.

"I'll ... figure it out. I think." Carina answers, a mite uncertainly. Sure, she was a bit of a spy during the war, but beyond one really awful experience, she was only ever sneaking bits of information, or listening in on conversations. She wasn't sneaking around while armed guards were hunting her. So this is a new one on her.

Despite the fact that Karl suddenly looks like he ate a bushel full of bad oysters and that they are going to make a reapperance he keeps his rifle at the ready and waves everyone through the door and up the stairs. He will take rearguard in case there is company coming up from behind them.

Moments later, an alarm rings loudly in the hallway. From Carina's position, seeing everything, additional reinforcements are heading up the stairs.

"We're exiting through the sky." Michi says to Carina. "You let us know if you need help. We'll be back home." She motions for everyone to move forward. Michi takes the lead. "Doc, help Dorota with our new friend. Karl, watch our back. Don't let anyone up after us." Up they go.

Sarah nods towards Michi, "Alright, but let's move a bit faster." She falls back a bit, holstering her pistol as she assists Dorota with the former prisoner.

"If you keep coming up, you'll head right through or right past me. And there are reinforcements coming. More guards and orderlies heading up the stairs." Carina comments. She looks towards Long and the man she knocked out. "I have Long, and the man who shot her. There's no way I could carry them both. Do I try to bring one of them with me?" If they're coming up towards her, she might as well rendezvous with them and make her exit, and one of these two could prove useful.

Shiny ship. Shiny hot ship, or rather soon to be hot ship. Dorota figures it will probably be too distinctive to *keep* but as she moves up the stairs, she's definitely in agreement with using it.

Well that was Karl's plan from the start, but it is glad that he has a second opinion for that. He goes up slowly after the others, letting them get a good 1/2 flight of stairs between him and them and doing his best to keep that distance and his weapon ready for firing.

As the crew ascend from the third floor to the fourth floor, they get stuck as the door to reach the fourth floor is locked and there are no more stairs going up. Down below, the sound of boots on metal echoes in the space.

Michi isn't sure who Long is, honestly. Or why someone shot her. "Your call. You know them better than me. Our package has been pretty ta me de and I just killed something that looked and acted a lot like a Reaver so if one of them can help keep the package alive for delivery..."

"We're at a door to the next floor." Michi motions to it and moves to help Dorota with the package so Sarah can open it up. "Karl, cover the stairs."

Sarah crouches by the door, muttering, "That sounds familiar..." She gets out her generic keycard, working on the door's lock. After a few moments, the light goes from red to green, the door popping open as she slips through, "That was a bit easier than I was expecting."

The door opens and the crew spills out into a plush lobby. Carina can hear their entrance from her location in the living room. "Lock it behind us." Michi says as she helps carry the unconscious schlub who caused all this trouble inside.

Carina waggles her fingers as the crew comes into the quarters. "This is Doctor Long, head of R&D, and just shot. This here is unknown jerk who shot her, unconscious by yours truly." And trussed up like a turkey for trimmings. And Carina is rather gussied up. "Let's head for that pad and get out of here, shall we?" she suggests, while trying to get Long up into her arms to bring her along. If a bad guy wants her dead, maybe she'll prove useful?

Mei Mei. Doctor Long, huh?" She grins a bit, though that grin fades into something far darker as she sees who the other person is. Sarah's pistol seems to find itself into her hand as she looks at the trussed up prisoner, "What was he doing here?"

"He came to see her research. As soon as he saw that ... man thing that came out of that cell, he was thrilled, shot her, and started taking over the controls." Carina explains.

Karl does what he is meant to do and continues to watch the groups back as they try to bypass the door, talk about who is who while they retreat to the landing pad. "Can we do less talking and more retreating?!"

"... is she going to bleed out on the way there?" Michi asks. This whole thing stinks but she doesn't want this to go even further south. Sarah hmms, and goes back to the controls, trying to decipher what the man was doing... and what she can do to get all the data she can. While she works, she says, "Barry Ling is his name, or rather what he goes by. He's a wetworks specialist for the Blue Sun Corporation. And as you have already seen, he has horrible taste in fashion." She wrinkles her nose, concentrating on the console.

"Horrible taste in fashion," Dorota says, "And profession. I don't mind some honest thievery, but..."

Carina has no idea how the doctor knows any of that, and she's worried. But what more can she do, but try to patch Long up enough to get her out of here alive.

Sarah laughs softly to herself as she looks through the files he was attempting to delete, "Dai ruo mu ji." (Dumb as a wooden chicken) With that, she leaves the console, "He wasn't after anything we didn't already get." She crouches down by Long and Carina, checking the vitals for the former, "Let's see if we can keep the mayor alive."

"Heads up!" Karl calls out "We have ten seconds before we are going to get run over by trigger happy security personnel. We either need to move it or we are going to loose it." there is a pause "Nine seconds..."

"No time. Grab her, hope she doesn't die. We need to get upstairs. Now." Michi says. The unconscious man is left with Dorota. Michi helps Carina with the unconscious woman. That leaves Sarah to take front and Karl to take rear. "Go go go."

Sarah takes the point then, moving off towards the roof access quickly, before the guards can make it through the door.

Dorota is struggling at this point. She's probably not going to be able to carry this guy for much longer, almost dropping him on the stairs. Where's that ship?

Karls' countdown is eerily accurate as on the count of one, the door to the fourth floor bursts open to a flurry of activity. They fan through the apartment that was vacated seconds before.

On the roof a black and blue shiny beauty sits on the landing pad.

Well thankfully the second time was the charm and not the third. Which is good because there wasn't time for a third warning. Karl didn't want to have to start shooting at his own people to get them to move. He breathes a sigh of releif as the group gets out of the area safely as security reaches it.

Sarah whistles softly, "Oh, it's a beauty... maximum Stealth capacity, hacking systems built in... Barry must have gotten some promotions. Or more likely some blackmail material on a Blue Sun EVP." She runs forward to the Black and Blue Beauty, triggering the ramp so everyone can get onboard.

"... you know too much about this ship." Michi says, helping Carina get Long on board. "... and Karl, we'll be talking later about how you've got built in radar." But right now, she has a ship to fly. As soon as she can drop Long, Michi's running for the cabin.

Dorota is on board as soon as the ramp is down, setting down the unconscious guy once she's safely within the ship, then shaking out her shoulders and arms. "Ugh." Carina pants, winded, and tries to get the ramp to come up and close just as soon as everyone is aboard. "Go, Michi ..." The rest can wait, right?

Sarah moves up to sit next to Michi, and looks over at her, "I'll explain once we're off this rock. Fair enough?"

"Oh, I could have your babies." Michi says as she brings the engines to life with a purr. "Let's go." With that, Michi's skipping the pre-flight safety check and going straight into the launch procedure. Time to hit the air and get the nai zi out of there!

As the ship lifts off the ground, guards burst through on the roof, taking aim and shooting, though it's a token effort, the ship being much bigger'n their tiny weapons. The crew moves safely away and into the air.

We'll fly to the shuttle, let Carina off to pilot it back to our employer. Then we'll take this and park it outside our Jie Jie, out of sight of possible. Carina will come pick us up. We'll go back to Felix and collect our pay AND try to sell this baby for a little extra."

Yeah Michi says that there will be a talk, but it is hardly a talk when one person isn't saying anything, so Karl doesn't feel the least bit worried. "Is there a place to be sick on this ship?" he still really isn't looking all that well, but he isn't looking as bad as he did.

Apparently, the doctor's wound was not as bad as it could have been and Sarah deftly applies first aid, saving her from near death. Dr. Long takes a deep breath and her eyes open, taking in the scene before her. In a calm, almost monotone voice, she asks. "What are you you doing?"

"Saving your life from those who tried to kill you. Amongst other things." Carina offers with a smile.

Sarah hmms, "Treating you from where that Blue Sun Corporate hitman shot you, in point of fact. And well, we weren't sure if the guards were loyal to the corporation or to you, so we figured getting you out was the best call for right now." Her lips quirk just a bit as she looks over at Carina.

"Karl, Dorota, see what supplies this ship has that we can make us of. Payment for our troubles." Michi notes as she flies. Dorota is still kind of shaking and rubbing her arms, but moves to check anyway. Has to be some stuff here she can use. One eyebrow raises as Dr. Long looks at Sarah and then Carina. She makes motions to sit up, holding her side. "And this Blue Sun Hitman? Where is he?"

"Unconscious, tied up back in your living room, to be honst." Carina offers.

Dr. Long stares at Carina and Sarah and is silent for a fair amount of time. "I suppose I should thank you for being a good samaritan in your simpleminded ways. You can take me back now. I assure you, I am in no danger."

Carina points to the bullethole. "I am not the simpleminded one, Doctor Long. You were shot. You have a hole in you, which this good doctor took the time to help me stop the bleeding and save your life. Now, perhaps you could be respectful enough to thank the two of us for saving your life. Or, perhaps that is beyond your simpleminded ways?"

Rubbing at his forehead a moment Karl signals compliance with his other hand and gets up to go search the ship for things they could use. His first stop is the kitchen and score food!

Of course, Dorota goes straight to the engine room. A tool or two will grow legs and walk away at this point. Nothing special, but...

Sarah shrugs, "Well, if you won't be in any danger, then you can get back there easy enough I think."

Dr. Long fixes a stare at Carina her voice calm and emotionless. "Don't think I don't see who you are with. You came to to my home intending to steal from me. Perhaps the companion's guild would like to hear about the thugishness of one of their own?"

Carina eyes Doctor Long. "I had no intention whatsoever of stealing from you, Doctor Long. I had every intention of spending the evening with you, as requested, enjoying our time and stimulating conversation together. Others intended to seek to save the life of someone kidnapped and hidden away in your facility. //Thankfully//, those same people were able to help //me// save //your// life when one of your associates decided you had become inconvenient, and tried to //kill// you. Now, if you wish to inform the Guild all about this, please, feel free. I will make sure to make a full and complete report of things I would normally assume to be your own private business."

While Dr. Long is speaking to Carina and Sarah, Michi reaches where the shuttle is being hidden.

Michi lands, though she doesn't cut the engines. "Ma'am," the pilot shouts back to Carina, "Your shuttle. I apologize we can't take you further than this. Have a nice day and thank you for flying with us."

Dr. Long blinks first and looks away from Carina. Her chin up and her jaw clenched, she refrains from anymore conversation other than to insist on being let go.

Carina nods and glances up, first towards Sarah. "Pardon me, Doctor. It is your area of expertise. Is Doctor Long safe to walk, to travel? If so, I should think she would like to get out, as she seems unhappy. If she is safe to travel, I can take her with me, so that you people can be on your way." Of course, if Long isn't safe to travel, she's going to need help.

Sarah nods, "Take it easy, but a little walk won't hurt." She glances at Carina, "That might be best, then."

"Hey Carina!" Karl shouts from one of the other rooms "I found something you need to look at..now!" his tone is very urgent.

Carina nods. "Alright, then. Doctor Long, if you will accept my assistance, I can help you get up and walk out of here. Then you are welcome to travel back aboard my shuttle, or I can wait with you until a transport can be called for you."

"Or we could all know each other." Michi mumbles as any pretense of this being a coincidence is blown by Karl.

Carina opens her mouth, even inhales, ready to speak, and then stops. Shakes her head slightly. "I beg your pardon, Doctor. Apparently, I am needed elsewhere. I will return as quickly as I can. Doctor, if Doctor Long feels she needs to go now, would you be kind enough to help her get offboard? Thank you." That said, Carina heads towards Karl's voice, wondering at his poor timing.

Dr. Long was about to say something but then stops and waits for Carina to come back. She doesn't seem in a hurry to get off and walk on her own.

As nobody else is doing so, Dorota, having pocketed the tools, checks on Hughes.

"Hey. Doc?" Dorota called. "Let's not forget this guy."

Sarah nods and makes her way over towards Hughes, "Coming over!" She then crouches down by Hughes, "Now let's see how you're doing."

When Carina comes back to the room Karl is searching he is waiting for Carina with concern. "If you are going to escort the Dr back to her place, take someone else with you." he explains quietly so he can't be overheard "While the rest of you were off doing stuff, I heard some rumours about Dr. Long." which isn't wrong, he did here some unpleasant things about her "There are a few people missing and she was the last person they were with, people are thinking she is behind the disappearances." and only part of that is a lie, really!

Carina arches an eyebrow at Karl eloquently. She does not speak, not right away. She weighs what he has said, how he has said it, and what he has not said. Then she blinks, and nods slowly. "Thank you." she breathes, very softly, and then she turns and walks back the way she came, returning past Sarah and Hughs to sit near Dr. Long. "Now, Doctor. Would you like a hand to get up and walk? I can offer that." She offers no explanation of whatever it is Karl spotted on the ship. None of the woman's business, even if it is her ship. Damnit.

Sarah hrms, and glances over at Dorota, "He's comatose for now... comfortable enough, but I can't do more for him without access to better equipment than the floor of a shuttle will provide."

Dorota nods. "As long as he doesn't die on us." That's apparently her primary, somewhat rough concern.

Dr. Long stands on her own, wobbly, but without asking for help. "Take me home." She orders and begins to hobble out of the ship if no one stops her, not even bothering to acknowledge that Hughs is unconscious near the entrance.

"Carina, just let her walk. If you feel bad, we'll call in her location once we're all gone." Michi calls back. Since there's no use hiding it now. "Karl, why don't you fly with Carina, just in case."

Carina will accept Karl's helpful escort, should he prove willing, and moves after Doctor Long down the plank so she can get to her own shuttle. Since the Doctor seems not to want her help, so be it. But they have a shuttle to pick up. Hell with the ice cold bitch, perhaps?

As the Blue Sun Ship disappears towards Jie Jie, Karl and Carina take Dr. Long back to the facility in the shuttle. However, long story short, Dr. Long attempts to have her guards apprehend them upon arriving, but Karl's mad intuitive skills and his awesomeness with firearms gets them out of that scrape with little more than a few scratches on the shuttle.