The Red Family ,Cobalt Club, & Extras

Cast:

Crimson Death- Aeather Ghoul

Claret Death- Aeather Ghoul

Zu-Orphaned Dawnlander Kid

taken in by Amber Monks

Tessa Lai'Renna Xiu-Pi- Mutant adventurer

with hidden talent

Modelii- Ex slave, Ex gladiator, now noble of the Nine Kingdoms

Dokahlis-Vampire cyborg

Atharryn-”Silvergirl” aka artificial lifeform

Gaiu-Gray Demon and all around “fun” dude

Nix Mercer- Merc & V.R. Junkie

Red Max a.k.a Condition Red a.k.a. Red Reaper a.k.a. your in deep shit- Merc & Full Conversion Borg

The rank smell of blood and charnel decay was heavy in the cave, but such was the way of those in this place. Neither Heaven nor Hell. This in between place was somewhere on the outer ferment of Résurrection and the irresolute borders of the Dreamlands. Here only those that walked the planes on ethereal jaunts or those that moving between dimensions could enter or those that had shed their mortal coils.

A husband and wife stood there, brooding over their son. Fluttering blood red tatters their only coverings, that moved like a ghostly lover around their like hued skin. Their speech came without speech as one would know it. Rather it came like faint sound on gibbious ebon nightfalls ,low little more than the dance of maggots on a corpse, or the last whispers of an enemy as he lay dying in your hands. They came here when they could shy away. When the Lords of Oblivion sank into yawning stupors of black lotus. Here they would come to shy away from the duties and Lords of Oblivion who were the enemies of the Lords of Chaos, where and if none would hinder; they, husband and wife would watch. They would look towards their son, who had been expelled from his home realm; this his home realm and forced into a form of flesh. Not content with his new found flesh their son always the brash one had soon shed it and donned a form of steel and science.

"Our son has once again gotten into trouble," this from Crimson

"It seems we must once again intervene and teach these new beings the dangers of trifling with our family," replied Claret

Sitting in the VIP area of the Cobalt Club , Modelii poured another glass of 200 proof Vosh for himself. The bottle sweating leaving drops of water on the blue tablecloth. He looked over to his companions and offered to fill their glasses. "It’s hard to come by this”. He said offering again.” Back when I was a Videk Runner , we used to have what passed for the authorities back then run a stiff opposition to our product. Then that all changed fifteen cycles ago and all of this type of drink was made legal. Can't say I miss being a wanted fugitive, but there was this one time when a certain princess ,...er, borrowed her father’s sky yacht to help us smuggle some into the nine kingdoms."

" We were hounded bad. Seems they thought we had taken the princess as a hostage for ransom." He stops for a moment to down a shot of the Vosh before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and continuing. "Well by the end we lost all the Vosh. Had some really determined and not so nice private contractors after us, not to mention the law element." He winks at his seated companions at mentioning this. "Still in the end it worked out ok. Even stopped a plot against the girl's royal father. Plus a romance with said princess. That leads to the story of how I got the royal title. Forget what you hear about it being a minor title. That's all Sabine's doing with the help of his friends in the courts,..."

"What happened to the princess? To the romance?" asks Atharryn the Silver Girl sitting crosslegged at the tables other end, raising an eyebrow

" It ended as all romances and true love do," says Modelii pausing ,… "Badly," he finishes as he drains his glass again and gives a nonchalant wink over the edge of  his glass. Zu looks sideways at his drink before taking a sip. He wrinkles his nose speechlessly. He doesn't join in the conversation, but rather keeps a watchful eye out for danger or for any signs of pretty tech. Gaiu the winged grey demon knocks back two shots, belches loudly, and starts looking for a third.

Outside Tessa and Dokahlis enter the Cobalt Club. Stepping in from the toxic smog drenched rain and into the clamorous noise and amusement. Looking over the chance houses venue and patrons the cyborg vampire asks through pointed teeth and fetid breath, "So who are these,......Omar?" Looking for Modellii in the crowded club with the three breasted Tessa. "Aliens?"

"No", says Tessa. "Omar are cyborgs, some say full conversion ones. A really strange lot. Even for artificial life forms. It’s said they don’t sleep or eat. They don't drink and can't have or even want sex." She lets that sink in for a moment before continuing. "The only thing they seem interested in is commerce. Which makes no sense at all in that they don't have the main drives behind it. Some say they might be fronts and facemen for someone or something else."

They pass through the main doors checkpoint. Large Narcosi bouncers relieve them of any weapons and usher them in with a wave of their enormous hands. Seeing Dokahlis raise an eyebrow; Tessa explains the albino beings. "The Narcosi Goliaths can't have or desire sex, either but they eat and drink tons and some have become great gamblers and even better fighters. Ah here we are," says Tessa stopping in front of a table. "Well, Modelii seems you made it after all and on time," says Tessa standing in front of Modelii'. "Are you regaling your companions with stories of your colorful past?"

Modelii smiles a wide grin and knocks back another glass of Vosh. " Your are one of the best city trackers I know Tessa. So when you said you knew they would be here. I figured it would shave some time off our job." Tessa takes a seat at Modelii's table and even pulls out a chair for Dokahlis. " I still want the 10% finders fee and in advance too. I have my flier on the roof on pad 14 if you all need a hurried lift on top of that”, she adds pouring herself a glass of Vosh, then looking disgusted as she realizes the bottle is empty after pouring her share.

" Just like old times huh, Tess? I do some heavy lifting and you give me a boost?" Tess holds up a hand cutting him short." And I want a part in your guild Modelii, on a freelancer basis, but still on the roster non the less." "Done and done," says Modelii. "Can you show me what we are getting in return?"

Tessa stands up and moves to the left; over to the west railing of the VIP section. She points downward to the "chance pits" a sunken vice area of the Cobalt Club where private games of chance are held for members. In one of the pits, past the nobles walking around, the corp execs watching the various games and the club security eyeing everyone , are nonother then Nix Mercer and Red Max engaged in a game of chance. There is a huge pile of loot on the table between them, including a cutting-edge, V.R. rig. Nix is holding a hand of cards while taking long puffs on a very large cigara. He puffs again blowing smoke in Max's direction and pulling a single gold chip from his vest pocket and tossing it on the center tables pile. This gets a mummer and excited talk in hushed tones from the assembled spectators. Red Max a crimson full conversion borg with an appearance like a muscled human male. Giving the impression of a red metal poured into a perfect if exaggerated human looking mold looks over from the pot to Nix and back again.

" That chip is worth 200,00 on the current open market. I'd gamble to get it myself if I could," says Modelii.

Looking at his companions each in turn the pale vampire asks. "Ok whats our course of action?" Dokahlis hisses a reply through his fangs,"Honestly, I've been following the woman in red for the night."

Zu squints his eyes balefully. "I have no ideas. Lead the way." Tessa pulls out a small disc with a red button on it from her transparent coat and clicks the button. "Putting the flier on standby, we might need a quicker lift I think," she says and pockets the disc. " Give me the 3 golden chips Modelii." she says putting her hand out . Modelii seems to reach into his own coat for a moment but then pulls out his hand and grabs Tessa's lifts it and kisses it. "No, Tess."he says. " If it’s a bluff and fake play. I hold on to the bait,..no offense." "Face man and eye candy?" asks Tessa. Modelii nods. "With a variation,” he says. He turns to look at the party then in a hushed tone. " Over drunk, overly rich noble," he points at himself "Whom," he continues "Has friends that he is willing to front in one of the highest games of chance here at the moment. Old royal court king and his champions he is sending in his stead." Nodding to them in understanding he finishes talking and tosses the gold chips to the group. " We need information, simple question answered. Hopefully, we can do that without the need for violence."Modelii then looks at Tessa. " Take your jacket off. Slide it around. Use your girly charms to distract while we are down there." he says "Stay moving, eye candy remember,..?" With that, he takes her hand and walks down the stairs with the party but not before ordering three rounds of the most insanely expensive drinks for everyone at the club’s lower levels. Dokahlis catches a chip in midair. Modelii looks at the undead cyborg and says. "Looks like you will be joining the game at their table."

Modelii and the party make their way to the lower gaming pit. The pit itself is the shape of the lower half of a chicken's egg, with a flat floor. The walls are decorated with more shades of blue then can be taken in or appreciated at a single glance. The air is heavy with smoke from a dozen drugs and other recreationals. An ancient server bot holding a golden tray full of drinks stops and twirls on its single wheel appendage and states for the beings in the club, " Ladies and gentlemen. Your benefactor Tarkahnta Modelii Akata."

A hearty round of cheers echoes through the pit. "What did you serve them?" ask Tessa whispering into Modelii's ear. " True ambrosia wine. It’s said that this drink, what bottles have been discovered and found; are in fact a drink of the gods. True or not it’s very rare I bought one rack of this establishment’s holdings of it. They had 50. Now they just have five left." explains Modelii.

Walking past the crowds, the handshakes, and congratulations they make their way into the body of spectators at Nix's and Max's table. Nix throws one card face up on the table then throws another beside it face down. Max does the same and then flips over his own hidden card revealing a high value card. Nix goes pale for a brief instant and then does the same his hidden card and table card falling a bit short of Max's. Max's red photo-receptor pupils shrink and expand as a wicked looking grin slides over the human like mimicking alloy of his face. Between blood red teeth clenched tight Max begins expelling forced lungfuls of air. This becomes a deep rumble of a laugh that forces its way through still clenched teeth and a rictus like smile that never changes. A look of malice and predatory instinct in Max's eyes. "Damn", says Nix. leaning back in his chair. "What will it be ,Nix? says Red Max. “Either you raise the stakes or forfeit. I hold the deciding cards."

At this moment Modelii seemingly speaks to Tessa beside him. "The human will lose." He says a little too loudly. " The borg has a axemans hand. Only the most skilled can beat that value line." Nix looks in his direction and says hotly," Thats the problem with you nobles. You never know how to fight a tough fight. Too soft, too easy, never have to work for things." Modelli half shrugs and gives a mock toast," The odds are against you. Surely you can see that? Why lose more than needed? Concede and save some measure of your wealth here this night. The borg has bested you." Max laughs again the same laugh that has more akin to a predator breathing than a human like laugh. " No one asked you "Nobe". " This is a game of personal risk. Something you wouldn't understand." counters Nix. "Then perhaps you should show me about this type of risk."says Modelli calling over a house dealer bot and buying a buy-in at the table. This gets an excited rush of voices and catcalls from the assembled patrons. "This is a private game Nobe. No outsiders." says Nix getting more perturbed. "I offer three to play in my stead." indicating Zu, Dokhalis ,and Gaiu with a wave of his hand. "I also offer a portion of my wealth." finishes Modelii inserting a cred stick into the dealer bots slot. The value of the stick rolls in rapid form on the bots eye bar for all to see. At this the accept buttons on Nix's and Max's sides of the table light up. Max slaps the button almost immediately as he looks over the party again in a predatory way in his eyes. "Oh for crying out loud!" says Nix

"Nix Mercer, by the rules of the Cobalt Club and the rules of the section 3 division of mega city one's own gambling article, page three, para,...." begins the gambling bot. "Yeah I know !" says Nix reluctantly pressing the button.

Modelli turns to the three that will be playing. "Your up. Play well," he says before turning to Tessa and Atharryn saying,"Let’s find a seat."Atharynn snorts and turns on her heel then sashays off to study the clientele of the establishment in closer quarters.

Gaiu and Zu settle into the game. The monk is obviously unaccustomed to games of chance, but he's a quick study and picks up the rules without much difficulty. Strategy is another matter entirely, though, and he finds himself on the losing end of several key hands.

Gaiu, on the other hand, knows his way around a deck of cards all too well, and he goes into the game with all the bluster and swagger of a Navarene merchant at a peddler's bazaar. The cards don't seem to like him this day, though, and he follows up a string of abysmal hands with resounding strings of vulgarity until the dealer bot threatens to eject him from the game.

Then he just sits silently and glowers at the 'bot, barely looking at his cards, all the while absently stroking the empty spot on his belt where his blade would normally rest. Although his companions are fairing poorly, Modelii steps forward and throws another two golden high value chips into the pot. Adding a one-half the current pot. The murmurs of the crowd become again excited as the jackpot increases. Nix gives a smug look at Modelii and Max slaps his knee and chuckles his disturbing laugh as the dealer bot reshuffles the cards. "The house withdraws its coverage of the winnings of this game." says the bot. "It has exceeded the amount the house will cover in winnings. All participants are responsible for their own bets and wagers." Modelii nods and steps away back towards the side bar and Tessa. "Your losing," she says. "Yet you are wagering more?" Modelii doesn't answer but raises a glass to his teammates as they continue.

Looking at the hands presented , Nix slaps his hand down in frustration. Knowing he does not have the funds to increase the bet thereby allowing him to continue playing.

Red Max had up to this point wagered his own internal power cell on this hand, he looks at the party and patrons and growls a deep growl at the other players. (Zu and Dokahlis). Then he notices the dealer bot as it begins. "Red Max under city code 204 of the vice codes of conduct and the fulfillment of wagers. Section 2 paragraph 1,......."

Red Max slams the table causing the table to shutter. At this the Narcosi security step from the crowds and hands off their weapons but still they are within easy reach sending a clear message to Red Max. Red Max opens a small hidden control panel on his left wrist, taps a code, and a hidden compartment in his chest swings open. Revealing a small tank with the nuclear symbol on one side and the biological one on the other. He removes this but not before activating a beacon for the private evac and emergency service that many mercs buy a plan with. He does this to certainly have said service come to retrieve his deactivated body and reactivate him. Before he shuts down he looks at the group and says before his red glowing eyes go dark. "You are rich, perhaps too rich to make it out of this metro section alive."

Gaiu takes a puff of his cigara and blows smoke in Max's direction. "We will take our chances." Watching as his eyes fade to black. Nix slumps his shoulders looking at Modelli. "Damn Modelii, your gonna cost me . I needed this to pay off some serious debts. Sure you got rid of the walking killer stop sign there. Still doesn't mean it’s right."

"Listen Nix. I will let you have half of the winnings if you trade us some info. We are looking for the Omar but we need their info on a gem dealer. Care to trade?" asks Modelii. "Sure." says Nix reaching for the pile and the V.R. rig in particular. "No." says Modelii grabbing his wrist. "We want the location first."

Nix sits back takes a look at the party and begins to explain," Getting to see the gem dealer through the Omar is almost impossible. He/it, is more a prisoner of the Omar than anything. Only very few get to see him,... push the issue too hard with the Omar……" Nix sucks on his cigara and blows out a lung full, spreads his hands, and sweeps them outward. " It is said it will go bad, and even the Silver corp turns a blind eye if you disappear by pissing them off." He sucks again on the cigara. " So not the Omar. You don’t want that. Too difficult too dangerous."

They all pull a little away from the table as the retrieval team arrives for Red Max. "So," ask Modelii as a large "lifter bot", (a bot that is more mini forklift than humanoid angles begins grasping with its shape changing lifting fork; Red Max. " Who is the second more responsive party?"

Nix nods. "There is a group of Gren toughs, they used to be a turf gang but they made a big score. According to the gang guilds they earned a spot for and as muscle for any operators under their influence." These Gren are called the Jade Collective, formerly the Green Daggers. They are in need of a few things. Biological parts, political clout, and nuclear fuels." Nix eyes Red Max's fuel tank. Tessa stares at it then turns quickly as Red Max's body slips a little from the forklift bot. Causing the humanoid Raptor guards, to shrill and curse in their language, bloating their waddles and bobbing their heads excitedly, while gripping their heavy projectile rifles.

"Yesss", says Dokhalis says as he grabs the tank, turns it over in his hands a little then draws it in beneath his cloak. It somehow disappears within the nebulous darkness swirling under it. Nix leans forward his hand hovering over the V.R. rig and his share given to him by Modelii. "Ok," says Modelii. Looking at the party he says. "Let’s head out, time to make progress." The party follows. Zu walks up beside Modelli and holds out the stack of winnings vouchers. "Your buy-in. Your winnings," he indicates carefully. "Besides," he admits with a self-effacing shrug, "It was more dumb luck than skill, anyway."

Behind them, Gaiu curses under his breath. "Damned cards. I'd liked to have shown that smug bastard a thing or two before he went and unplugged himself. 'Gambler's honor', my ass." He frames the words with his fingers in the air, one hand free and the other waving around his cigarra, which obligingly emits a steady if faint, wisp of mocking orange smoke.

Atharryn, who's been rifling through the contents of a small pouch she seems to have picked up, shoots Gaiu a grin before she sidles up on Modelli's other side and brushes shoulders with him. "Don’t cha just hate sore losers?" Gaiu shuts up and puffs his cigarra sullenly.

Modelii takes the winnings casting a sideways glance at Zu. "You sure about that, kid? It took lots of deep calm back there."

Tessa breaks in, "Let's stay focused." "The Grens are just across the river. If we hurry we can be back in a couple of hours." Modelii shrugs, "Fair enough let’s make haste." With that, he climbs onto the ganger bike kicks it on and he and the party roar off into the night.

Crossing the river was not too bad all things considered. The river if it could be called that ,was more likely to be called a sewer than a river. It had all manner of wreckage in it. From combat zeppelin frames, their metallic "flesh” having rotted off years ago. To the broken bodies of giga bots , the ravages of corrosive waters and strange twisted fungi growing colorfully around and on them. There were feral, scuttling things some as small as mice and others the size of great apes among the ruins of buildings and collapsed bridges. There are other things as well lurking and swimming through the waters, in those fetid depths. Boneless things like men and octopi swim in the soft squishy murk of vomit, urine, and excrement. "We got to stop meeting in places like this!" exclaims Modelii to Tessa. "What’s the matter Tuska? she asks. " Are you getting a little green under the collar? Have the perfumed halls of Atlantis softened you?" "I never knew Lemuria had such squalor. Is all of it so polluted?" asks Modelli. "No," replies Tessa. "But the business interest of the megacities go about unregulated." She says shaking her head. "There it is," says Gaiu pointing to some fortified makeshift barricades on the other side of the bridge. " I see it," says Tessa her voice cracking over the face mic.

The party when it reaches the Gren gang's roadblock; notices they are allowed to approach. Modelii stops everyone for a moment and casts an inspiration spell over his companions. They all feel a swift but uplifting sense of calm and confidence come over them instantly. "For luck," he says turning to the gang. The Gren are green skinned humanoids, male and female all dressed in their gang colors. A mismatch of armor, black vima hide, and tech gear. "That’s close enough human." says a tall male Gren. His huge bulk straining the leather garb he wears as he levels a combination spiked melee weapon, and ranged rifle in Modelii's direction. Then neon ultraviolet light of the area playing across it’s biotech skin. "What’s your business here?" says the male Gren cocking the bolt on the rifle. "Speak fast human or my weapon speaks next." says a gorgeous female Gren coming into view beside the male. There is movement around the party in the shadows. The sound of brushing past, and not so distant footsteps around them. "This is not good," says Gaiu giving an evil eye to the shadows where the sounds emanate from. Modelii lifts his hands in front of him. "Lo vama seka. Chido blamkasa", say Modelii speaking their language. "In respect, I ask for an audience with your honored guest. I bring offerings of gifts and request audience in return."

The Gren, turns his head ever so slightly, the faint smell of chocolate in the air. "Gren use scent pheromones as part of their language," explains Tessa to everyone standing some twenty paces behind Modelli. " Some can control it but that often takes years to master it. It signals their mental state at the time too."

"Gifts you say," the large male Gren asks. " What kind of gifts outlander?"

"I bring a dual gift presented first, then a gift of coin later." The male Gren raises an eyebrow. "You offer one gift first then hold the other till second? Why is that your method, human?" asks the female Gren. Never turning from looking at the male, Modelii answers." One to secure our entry. The other to secure our exit." Then Gren stares at Modelii for a moment blank faced, then a slow smile creeps across his face then a grin before full blown laughter overcomes him. " I like you human! You demand the rules of our ancients even when we have over a dozen disruptors ready to obliterate you all."

Modelii simply smiles and parts his hands in a motion. "I am sure you could. However, I am also familiar with your customs. One always leaves holding something of value, but only after he has left." "What is the gift you bring, human?" asks the large Gren. The smell of dry hay in the air. "I bring the dual gift of the atom and of unformed flesh," says Modelii. He turns to Dokhalis and urges him forward. Dokhalis reaches under his robes and pulls the bionuke canister from it. The Gren asks,"What audience do you seek human? I had a strange one recently in these very streets proclaiming the holiness of change through such things as this. You would not happen to know this being would you."

Modelii shrugs and spreads his hands again. "Tis unknown if I do. I have many strange companions."

"Indeed you do human," says the female Gren eyeing the party, cocking her rifle, and placing the butt on her hip. "I seek an audience with the gem craftsman," says Modelii.

"Done. But be warned human; …….that man. That creature, is not what it appears to be." says the male Gren reaching for the canister in Dokalis' outstretched hand