There Is No Savior IC

[*Kain*]

Shadow had been awaiting direction from Venom, when none came Shadow decided to take care of it himself. He found a nearby crate with nothing in it. He tossed Repo's body in and sealed the crate. On the electronic pad he put in the only adress he knew, the adress for the coalition Headquarters, for the return adress he left it blank, on the other portion of the electronic mail device he put in the adress of a city he knew of that was far away from their postition, he then left the crate there to be picked up. He came back to where Venom was, leaned up against the wall and crossed his arms. He waited for the "boss" to say something.

[Mordraken]

Dante pushed his way through the crowd, leading Ree and Christine in his wake, out of the Bazaar. Well, it's not devoted to any one kind of art. Anybody who's got good enough skills for the Mafia's art experts can submit something. They have all the old masters, the Van Goughs, the Picassos, ect. that weren't obliterated in the last World War. But a lot of those are counterfeit... They eventually got outside the Bazaar's crowd, and from there it was only a few minutes' walk to the Neo-Russian Art Museum. Dante talked the whole way there.

X~~~~~~~~~~~Meanwhile...~~~~~~~~~X

Venom sat with a lit cigarrette hanging off his mouth, blowing smoke trails into the alley. When Shadow came back from dumping the body of the bastard who had bothered him on the plane, Venom lifted out one of his revolvers from it holster, and flicked out the cylinder. One bullet left. He quickly refilled his gun, and snapped it shut, putting it back in it's home holster. Let's take a walk. Venom walked past Shadow, expecting him to follow. The mercenary leader thought it good to cruise the Food Alley district, waiting for Dante and the others to come back from sight-seeing. Keep an eye out for Dante and the girls. More importantly, keep an eye out for anyone tailing us.

X~~~~~~~~~Meanwhile...~~~~~~~~~~X

Here it is! THe Neo-Russian Art Museum! Dante gestured grandly at the building. It looked somewhat like a Greek temple, it's stone pillars riddled with holes, bullet or otherwise. One side was sunk into the ground a few inches, and the other was blanketed in wild vines and Russian Blue Roses, with inch-long thorns and deep azure petals. Inside, the first room was high and domed, with a glass and gold leaf design on the cealing; a few paintings dotted the walls, and several passages led off into dark corridors. Where do you want to go first? I like the whole thing, so I'm not partial. He lit a small, but bright fireball in the palm of his hand for a torch, as the lighting was abysmal.

[Cricket]

She glanced at the old works of art appreciatively. It was dark, but the glow from the fireball illuminated things brightly enough to see that the works were beautiful.

A shame that people couldn't have focused more on creating things like this...instead of destroying themselves.

She smiled mirthlessly. She couldn't really comment. She'd hurt enough people since joining the Dragons. She regretted it really. She preferred healing to harming. Sometimes there was no choice though- when they made it a choice between them and you or your friends. She never bother voicing these thoughts though. She wondered if she was able to hide her feelings better than Ree was.

She glanced at the woman on Dante's other side and grinned before turning back to Dante.

How long till we have to return?

She wanted to ask what their next assignment was- but this wasn't the time or the place.

[*Kain*]

Keep an eye out for Dante and the girls. More importantly, keep an eye out for anyone tailing us. Shadow nodded, no need to worry about that. As the two walked through the bazaar Shadow said nothing. He watched both their backs, making sure no one was tailing them. He was used to being followed, and knew all of the tricks thanks to the coalition. The coalition that might be a good idea to bring that up. He stopped venom, something you should know... How would venom react? Shadow had no clue, and frankly he didn't care.

[Mordraken]

Oh, a couple of hours. Venom said ten P.M. local, and it's...four-thirty now. Dante looked at the watch Tinker had cooked up for him a while back, then looked up. Why? Looking for something else to do besides look at pictures? He desperately wanted to keep the laidies entertained, but he hoped he didn't coem off that way.

X~~~~~~~~~~~~~Meanwhile...~~~~~~~~~~~~X

Shadow got Venom's attention. Something you should know... Venom looked over his shoulder. Wait until we get out of the Bazaar. When they did, Venom went east towards Food Alley, and his sense of smell was bombarded by succulent scents of the cooking styles of a thousand restaurants. Okay. What is it?

[*Kain*]

Venom led Shadow out of the bazaar, down to what seemed to be the food alley. Okay. What is it? Shadow pulled his leather sleeve back revealing a serial number. I was "created" by the coalition. Made to assasinate Mages and Psionics, everytime I am around the others, the urge... the urge to kill rushes up within me. Shadow took a quick look around. Another thing, the coalition is hunting me, I have been trailed by several hundred Coalition assassins, now they are all dead. That man had a serial number as well, although well hidden. I am a burden. Shadow mentioned all of this with a cold emotionless voice. Unsure of Venom's reaction, he waited, ready for anything. He did not tense up however, that would show hostility, and that's the last thing he needed.

[Mordraken]

Venom shrugged. So what the hell's your point? As long as you don't let your personal shit get in the way of our business, you won't be a problem. You watch my back, I watch yours, we do what's best for the group, and fuck the rest. But, uh, just between us, Ree and Christine aren't necesarily as understanding as I am, if you get my drift. This was the closest to being conciliatory he could get. Dante was much better at this garbage than he was. He walked as inconspiculously as he could, blending in with the foot traffic. He turned a short distance up into the Broken Phoenix. It wasn't anything special in particular, a common streetside cafe, neon sign, Neo-American food, ect. Venom sat down, and called over a waiter. Two cups of coffee, both black. My friend will have...

[Cricket]

Oh no! I like looking at the pictures...I was just wondering if we'd have time to eat something.

She hoped that soon they would reach a secluded spot when she could ask him what she was itching to ask. Just what were they going to be doing on the next assignment. But she had a feeling he would tell her that Venom would explain things.

Her stomach growled as if to emphasize her remark about eating. She could never eat for at least half a day before flying- if she knew they were going to fly. Forget eating during the flight. Since she'd known ahead of time, she'd not eaten in at least two days. Sometimes it was much easier not to know they were getting into a shuttle until she was actually on it.

She glanced at the other two and smiled, hoping they hadn't heard.

Do they have any Andy Warhol here?

[Mordraken]

Dante slapped his head. Well, why didn't you say something? The Restaurant district is right down the street, and I'm sure the museum won't be going any place. I know the perfect little cafe. Actually... He took a moment to think. Drat, I can't choose. Well, we're supposed to meet Venom at the Broken Phoenix Inn. It's not the highest quality, but why don't we just go there? I promise, we'll see all the Andy Warhol you want when we get back.

[*Kain*]

That was good to hear, and the caution about the two females in the group helped to. Shadow found himself with Venom at the Broken Phoenix Inn. He had been to busy watching their backs to notice where they were going. Shadow saw someone tailing them, he had noticed awhile back. When asked what he'll have to drink, water... When the barkeep turned to get the drinks Shadow turned to Venom. One more thing... We have a tag-a-long... there in the corner. The man had kept all eyes on the two since awhile back. Shadow got ready for a worst case scenario, but found it illogical to start a fight in here. So he kept quiet after that, and started to drink the water the barkeep poured for him.

[Mordraken]

Venom shifted his gaze over to where Shadow had gestured ever so slightly to look. The man looked almost shadier than they did, hat tipped forward, all black clothing, steely gaze out of the shade of his hat. Venom looked back down into his coffee, swirling it slightly, then tilted his head back and chugged it in one gulp. He put it down, and stood up casually. Venom put his head next to Shadow's ear, and whispered, If I'm not back before my coffee gets cold, order me a new one. He then walked out the door, again casually. A few moments later, the darkly garbed fellow stood up and left as well. Venom met him in the alley, behind some boxes. The man took off his hat to reveal a very youthful boy's face. He had red hair and frequent, dark freckles. All right. What's the job, kid?
I need you to take care of my mother.
The first thing that came to Venom's mind was to kill the kid's mother. Come again?
My mom's been in a lot of trouble lately, and she need someone to protect her, but she refuses anytime I bring it up.
Be more specific.
I...this is hard for me to say...
Spit it out, kid!
She's in a cult! He covered his mouth at that.
Now it wass Venom who was speechless. Cult? What cult?
My...My mom is in that, that stupid, filthy Savior's Light Followers thing. It's just small now, but it's a group of people that have ben brainwashed into thinking they can...that they will be reborn...Oh, Mom, why did you do it? He broke down and sobbed.
Venom, again, really had no idea what to say. He felt like...comforting the kid, but he didn't know how. I...uh...shit, kid...I'm sorry...I'll do what I can... He put his hand on the boy's shoulder.
The boy looked up, eyes liquid with sadness. Please, bring my mother back, Mister Venom...but if you can't...please...put her out...of her MISERY! He sobbed again.
(Damn.) I'll bring her back, kid, don't worry. Listen, if you can't pay, I'll do it...Pro Bono or whatever the phrase is.
No, no, here. He pulled an envelope of money out of his jacket. It's all the money she left behind when she *sniff* joined the Followers...it's not much, just ten thousand wulong...
Don't be ridiculous, kid. I won't take that much. He withdrew half of the amount, and handed the rest to the kid. Take it and go home. You'll get your mom back. And in the meantime, you'll need money. Go on, take it. The boy slowly looked up, and reclaimed his package. Replacing it in his coat, he took another file out of his jacket and handed it to Venom.
That's her. Got it from the Coalition database's garbage dump. Venom flipped open the file. Rebecca Rainsong. 5'8", 120lb, red hair, green eyes, 27, former waitress at Coalition Cafeteria Block 4, Section 25, pregnant at 15, one son Joseph Rainsong, no father listed.
You'll hear from me soon, Joseph. He took the boy by the shoulders and told him, Be strong, kid. This is a tough world, and you gotta be tough too. Your mom would have wanted it that way. The boy looked up, smiling slightly. Go out and give the world hell. Don't take shit from no one, and keep yourself out of the gutter. Got it? He nodded, and left the alley, thanking Venom for taking the assignment. Venom sighed, and leaned up against the wall, lighting himself another cigarrette. At this rate, he thought, I'll use up the whole reward on cigs before I find the mom. He took a long, slow drag off of it, and then went back into the inn. Dante and the two girls were sitting at the table with Shadow, eating some of the local food. Venom slid into the booth next to Shadow, and took a chug of his coffee. It was ice cold. Was this your doing, Dante?, he half kidded.
Dante spoke through a mouth full of burger. No, it was like that when we got here. Really! Stop looking at me like that! Venom called over the waitress for another cup of coffee. So, what's up with the next assignment? Venom tossed the folder file on the table and relayed all the information he was told to the others.

[*Kain*]

When the boy left behind Venom, Shadow got up and followed him silently, he followed them to an alley. There he listened to the exchange of conversation, Shadow wanted to feel sorry for the kid, but inside he could find no remorse. When the two stopped talking Shadow quickly re-entered the Inn, he went back over to their table. Before sitting he ordered a coffee and directed the waitress to make it ice cold. He sat, soon after the others came in and sat opposite of Shadow. The coffee came just before Venom entered, he sat down and commented about the coffee. Shadow grinned inside. He felt at home with these people for some odd reason. It was then that Shadow realized that he could be happy, his life wasn't completely bleek. He didn't show any interest in the explination of the next assignment, he already knew. He finished his water. So....when do we start?

[Mordraken]

Venom looked at Shadow cockeyed. Allright, Mr. Serious-About-His-Work, we start when we're finished eating. Dante, are the ladies happy with your tour?
Well, I promised them we'd spend more time at the Art Museum before we left.
Then we'll leave after that, but don't have too good a time.
Naturally, Dante smirked. It's nasty about the boy's mom. A little bit of hope and lies in a dark time, and people will follow you anywhere.
Don't wax poetic, Dante. It's a job like any other. We either get her back, or we put her out of her misery. It's that simple.
Dante shrugged. Whatever you say.
Hey, don't insult me.
I did nothing of the kind! I'm agreeing with you, man, calm down!
Sure you are. He pulled out a new cigarrette and put it to his mouth. Dante snapped his fingers, and in a flash of fire, the cigarrette incinerated into a crust of grey ash. It sat comically in Venom's lips a moment before falling out onto his shirt. Dante laughed at the wet cat scowl Venom wore on his face. That wasn't that funny.
Oh, yes it is! Venom glared as he pulled another cig out of his coat. Okay, okay, for real this time. Just the end. Dante snapped his fingers again, and the end of the cigarrette flared up. Venom dragged off of the cigarrette, and blew a smoke ring in the air.
X~~~~~~~~~Not Much Later...~~~~~~~~~~~X
Dante and the laidies finished their tour of the Art Museum, and met Venom and Shadow outside. Let's cruise the rumor mill. Get some information one way or the other. Again, the group split, and spread out over the city, Dante to the South, where the higher end districs were, and Venom to the North, farther into the slums.

[*Kain*]

Let's cruise the rumor mill. Get some information one way or the other. Shadow looked to Venom. I am serious about my work, I'm serious about anything in general. He stated with a cold voice. I'll be around...Boss Shadow took off and within moments was out of sight.

He moved swiftly through the crowd, picking up on different conversations. It wasn't long till he noticed someone was following him. He took 4 right turns just to be sure, the whole time pretending to be looking for something. He rounded the fifth turn, and waited. He was in the crossway of two alleys. Soon as the follower rounded the corner Shadow snatched him. Threw the man into the wall head first, knocking him out instantly. He searched the man for weapons, there he found a gun, coalition made. He searched the man's skin for markings, sure enough there was some there, coalition markings. Coalition men don't work alone, there had to be others.

It was at this very moment Shadow noticed four men coming torward him, one down each alley. He pulled out two throwing daggers, when they got close enough he hurled one at the man coming in on his right, and one on his left, then he ducked into the alley to his left. There Shadow pulled out two more daggers, and prepped himself. Soon as the two rounded the corners they pulled up their weapons, Shadow chucked one dagger. Then he heard a gunshot, he ducked down and dropped his shoulder, the bullet grazed it. He spun about hurling the second dagger, both hit their target's between the eyes, the sharp metal when straight through the bone.

Shadow went over and collected his daggers, as well as some coalition guns and ammo he stuffed into one of their packs. He then slit their throats to make sure that they were dead. Wiping the blood off of his daggers he put them away.

He found another mark on all of the men, it said Saviours Lights this was it! This was them! Shadow went to report his findings to venom. He darted out around the corner. He made straightaway for Venom, to report the incident.

[Mordraken]

You know you know something, Fredrickson. Shit, I know you know something. Now I want to know something, and you're giving me a hard time about. Fredrickson, the pudgy bastard Coalition stoolie, had his foot tangled in between two pipes, and was unable to move. Besides that, he was hanging upside down with his head a few feet off the ground; if he did move, his head would split open like an egg. Come on, give me a name, an address, something about Saviour's Light.
Fredrickson's voice was squeaky and pleading. Come on, man, I don't know shit about no Saviour's Light man...
Of course you don't. Venom squatted down to look Fredrickson in the eye. He also pulled one of his revolvers, pressing is squarely against the stoolie's temple. Listen, I don't want to have to kill you, and even if I had the need to, I'd paralyze you instead. One shot right between your second and third vertabrae would cause you many, INFINATELY more problems than being dead. Actually, I don't even need to fuckin' shoot you to kill you. Once the Coalition finds out about your little moonlighting activities...
Fredrickson was quivering with frenzy now. Okay! Okay! I got some shit on the Lighters!
Spit it out, I don't have all day. I have other stoolies to play with.
Some guy's been coming around in all the major Coalition cities, rounding up people. It doesn't seem as though there's any pattern, just, y'know, street people.
Who's the guy?
I don't know...
Tell me, damn it!
All right! It's that...oh, shit, what's-his-face, long white hair, big dark cloak, big staff thing.
The fuck...? You'd better not be lying.
Why the fuck would I lie now, man?! Oh shit, don't hurt me... Fredrickson covered his face with his arms.
Anything else?
I'll swear to anything you like, man, that's it! Just get me down!
Calm down, Fredrickson. Venom stood up and dislodged Fredrickson's foot from the pipes above, letting the informant hit the ground with an unsettling crack. The scum scrambled to his feet, and ran off, holding his arm. He nearly bumped into Shadow as the assassin came running up. Find something? Shadow told him about the incident in the alley. Good times. What happened to the bodies?

[Mordraken]

X~~~~~~~Meanwhile, in a classy restaurant in Uptown Neo-Russia... ~~~~~~~~~~X
Dante cut a chunk of steak off his plate, and stuffed it in his mouth, savoring it's blackened, well done quality. Ree and Christine sat on the sides of the table, working their way through their cuisine, and Raiden Mournhold sat opposite Dante, eating blackened steak as well. I haven't been here since the last time we did something together, Raiden, and they still serve the best damn blackened steak in the world.
Naturally. I don't settle for anything short of perfection. So, how have you spent the last ten years?
Dante gritted his teeth. Well, after I escaped from that hideous Coalition prison, I hooked up with another mercenary. From there, we've done a little business with everyone at one time or another, picking up new members of our group, and just making a living, basically.
Sounds invigorating. There was no hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Anyway, how about you? People still treating you right, it seems. What kind of schemes have you been pulling off?
Oh, I have no schemes.
What? The origional master of the con artist untouchable, turned straight? I don't believe it for a second!
People can change, Dante. I have bigger things in mind for myself, now. No more petty cons.
What kind of bigger things?
Oh, this and that. I have been spending a lot of time in the Coalition States and Lazlo.
Feh, why would anyone WANT to spend time on Coalition territory? It's so...boring and dreary and bland.
I'm actually trying to fix that problem. I want to bring hope to people, Dante. I want to bring them out of the ruts and alleys, and make them happy.
Dante sat back in his chair, looking suprised. Man. You really have changed. How are you gonna do that?
Same way I do everything else: through personal magnetism and good examples.
Well, I'm happy to hear that. That's cool.
Raiden smiled. Indeed, my young friend.

[Mordraken]

Shadow, being his normal soft spoken self, led Venom to the pile of bodies. Not bad, but I would have rathered you left at least one alive for questioning. This is fucked up. First, I find out there's someone going and rounding up random Coalition citizens, now one of my own men is attacked by five soldiers, all the same tattoos. Hmmm... Venom scratched his chin in thought. Did they say anything?

[Cricket]

She silently ate, listening to the conversation of the men next to her. Talk of the coalition in public made her nervous though. They had a habit of showing up where they weren't wanted and talking about them seemed an open invitation for them to arrive. She glanced toward the door, just to reassure herself that they weren't storming into the building then reached for her drink.

She widened her eyes in surprise as her sleeve caught the edge of the glass. She hadn't seen the waitress refill it or move it closer to her arm. Vainly trying to stop it from tipping over she bit her lip in embarrassed fascination as it tumbled over and spilled onto the stranger.

I'm terribly sorry...please let me help you...

Grabbing her napkin she began trying to blot the liquid from off of him, one hand on his arm in an attempt to apologize for the accident.

I'm not normally this clumsy. Honest I'm not...

[*Kain*]

Shadow didn't reply right away, instead he motioned for Venom to follow. He led Venom to the bodies, after a short investigation by Venom he turned to Shadow Not bad, but I would have rathered you left at least one alive for questioning... Did they say anything? Shadow shook his head, Sorry, I don't like it when people attack me, and when I strike, I strike to kill. Shadow paused after replying to Venom's statement . He stretched a little, then quietly answered the question.No.. they didn't have sufficiant time to say anything. Shadow just stood there, back against the wall. They had the same tatoo that he did. Was this connected to the Black Dragon's current mission, or were they after Shadow himself? They could have been after me. He stated calmly, then he turned and walked away, it was time to find some more clues about the mission. He paused for a moment, giving Venom a chance to say anything if he had to do so.

[Mordraken]

They could have been after me.
Well, if they were, they weren't trying too hard. Besides, the mark gives it away...unless it's just a red herring. Nah, the Coalition doesn't do red herring worth a damn. Unless the Coalition things are red herrings...that's more likely. Besides, it could be they have nothing to do with the Coalition; those tattoos might be just red herrings, to throw us off the trail. Hmmm. Hell with it. Let's either keep looking for more info, or let's go and find Dante; he's probably got his ass in deep shit by now in the rich side of town.
X~~~~~~~~~Meanwhile, in the Restaurant...~~~~~~X
I'm terribly sorry...please let me help you...I'm normally not that clumsy...honestly I'm not.... Christine accidently dumped a glass of water on Raiden's lap.
In the process of being apologized to, Raiden took her hand in his own gently, smiling. He looked into her eyes with flames of passion burning behind his pupils of grey. Please, my dear, it's quite all right. He kissed her hand lightly, then let her retrieve it. Please, why don't you tell me why a gentle soul as you is traveling with a rogue like Dante?
Dante rolled his eyes. No cons my ass.

[Cricket]

She smiled shyly at his debonair ways, embarrassed further that she had drawn notice to herself from such an enigmatic man. As his lips brushed the knuckles of her hand she was aware of the softness of the caress. Then she was aware of nothing but the images.

Images of men surrounding a woman. Never glimpsing the woman's face, but knowing instinctively that she was being drug away. So certain of the fact that the woman was being drug away she could almost hear the pleading of a woman's voice to not take her. Then dancing on to more images- this time of men being killed before they had a chance to defend themselves. Coalition men being killed.

She jerked with a start and looked with wide eyes at Raiden. Then her face going red, she tried to play it off as if it was his kiss that had surprised her so, instead of what she'd just seen.

You are too kind, sir...

Looking down as if bashful at his compliment, she hid her eyes from him and withdrew her hand. She hadn't seen the men who were dragging the woman off, so hadn't a clue who they or she was. That wasn't important though. The question was, why was she aware of such a thing through this man? Who was he?

She bit her lower lip and mentally cursed herself for the sporadic nature of her gift. Why did she have to see things in such minute details. She never saw enough to know the full story, just enough to concern her. Well, whatever was behind her visions she'd have to tell Dante when they were no longer with his friend. Maybe he'd have some idea what it meant.

She absently thanked the waiter for refilling her water glass, and gripping it tightly brought it to her lips, washing the sudden dryness in her mouth away. She only wished it would wash away the image of that poor woman's futile fight.

[Mordraken]

Something had flustered Christine about the whole water spilling thing. Dante was slightly suspicious. It's a long story. He ate the last chunk of his steak as he said, Well, I think it's about time we get down to business-
Raiden looked at his wrist. Business will have to wait, I'm afraid. There is something that requires my attention at this time. Raiden stood up, reclaimed his staff, and began to walk away.
Hey! I'm not through with this conversation, Raiden!
I'm afraid you are for now, my young friend. I have more pressing matters at the moment. It was startling how swiftly Raiden left. It was more startling how he seemed to shift past or even through people, and how they didn't notice.
Defeated and not motivated to chase his former partner down, Dante turned to Christine. I'm sorry about all that. Hey, you look worried. What's wrong? I mean, I know Raiden is a bit of a jerk, but-

[Cricket]

She blinked, then looked at Dante and shook her head slightly before glancing around the restaurant nervously. She never had liked drawing attention to herself, especially not when it came to her special abilities. Biting her lip, she glanced around again, making sure no one was in ear shot, then whispered.

I saw things through him...they weren't good.

She glanced down again, remembering the strong images she'd gotten. Images that mixed with too many of her own memories.

[Mordraken]

Dante's eyebrows knitted, more in confusion than anything else. He lowered his voice as well. Bad things? How bad are these things? By then, even Dante wasn't thick enough to not notice her discomfort. I'm sorry. If you wanna get out of here, we can go. He summoned the waiter, and paid the steep cost of the dinner. As he and Christine left, Dante tried to think. Raiden had done some fairly vile stuff in the interests of getting money, but it was "just" double-dealing some clients, or taking more than his share of the rewards, or even taking some rewards that weren't meant to be taken for his purposes. But Dante had never known Raiden to lie to HIM, and he said he had changed. Maybe for the worse, he thought, following Christine to a safe distance away from most anyone. As it was approaching darkness, the roads were only occupied by moonlight and streetlamps. What were these...bad things you saw? If you feel uncomfortable with any details, leave them out; I don't want you to be ill-at-ease unnecesarily.