2515: An Introduction.

*Green viscous fluid mingled and swirled with the blue, soft beads that seemed to orbit Nikki's submerged head. Her eyes were open, and as she struggled to wake more fully, she thought to herself It would be so pretty if...well if it wasn't home. She hung upside down in the bioluminescent water, and the blue and green particles glowed and shimmered all around her, and in either direction down the narrow barracks row she called home. To her left and to her right there were others like her, hanging from their ankles, clothes floating when people were too uptight not to strip. She was one of those people, though her string bikini didn't compare to Chen over there, she thought, moving a piece of her drifting hair to see him next to her, about five yards down. The fool was in full clothing.

She would have grunted, but sound became bubbles under water. With a great heave of exertion, she bent upward, her pale fingers fumbling for the latch that held her ankles in place. Above the water, it clicked, and released, and suddenly her legs fell free, and her head moved up. Ah, normality was about to resume.

She gasped as her head broke through the surface, and other vampires in the long, large sewer line were doing the same. She sputtered and tried not to choke and she hoisted herself up onto the bare, metal walkway. Lights glinted to her left.

Somebody's up early. She thought to herself. Her weapons, wallet and clothes from the morning before were in a lock box secured by a heavy chain bolted into the walkway, along with a towel she kept in there for drying. This she did, and before long she was dressed, leaving her bikini in the box and locking it behind her. Everyone did the same, and unless someone had an ident implant that could open any lock (High military technology) her things were safe.

She made her way past a grunting Chen, just as his own head came up above the surface. The water cast the long tall hallway in an eerie glow, it's curved ceiling seemed to ripple too. There was a woman, her own age, walking a few paces ahead of her, but Nikki kept her distance, letting the girl reach the ladder up to the surface first.

The ladder, of course had a line. They climbed up, one after the other....after five vampires before, finally Nikki felt the cold steel under her fingers, and the thin bars under her boots. She moved up quickly, the two surface guards calling for them to hurry the hell up.

There were barracks like this all over the planet. Places provided for the safety of peons while the gov't was prowling through peoples homes. Sure, many of them kept places elsewhere, but a coffin would never escape Alliance notice, not unless yu were rich. No it was saferto be officially employed during the day, by the hospitals and the wealthy elite.

This was the part she hated, she thought as she darted down the long alley with the others. They would have to emerge into the streets of Persephone's capitol city, as though they weren't all recently risen from the sewer below, as if she was tired from a long day at work. It was risky. There was always a chance that a citizen of the human population would notice, raise alarms. That meant more bribes, more blackmail and more killing.

The skies overhead showed several flycars taking the alley as a short cut, though even if one of the MRE's looked down, the shadows here were dark and deep. The buildings towered high into the clouds, so high yu couldn't see their tops. It was perhaps the largest city, period, and the people on the sidewalks proved it. Quickly, carefully, Nikki stepped into the crowd, keeping pace with people of high wealth and people not so lucky. The city was a sea of blue glass and grey steel, pale white lights ad Wave towers that took wave cards. It was the people that seemed to have the color here, and there were dressed in every fashion imaginable, many clothes carrying dynamic holograms or moving and flashing ads. Those in particular gave Nikki a headache. She was too nervous to be pissed though, and she took her first right as soon as she could.

Another two turns, and she was arriving at her building, her eyes darting around, looking for watching faces. She took the stairs, randomly, and when finally she opened her apartment door night was fully come.

The place was small. Very very small. It seemed to some about the size of a smal kitchen, folded up upon itself as it was. Two bunk beds to the left and a small kitchenette built into the wall took up most of the pace. The bathroom was to the rear, a toilet room that converted to a shower. I need a promotion, she thought to her self, sitting easily on the lower bunk. The tops one was covered in clothes and books and other personal effects. Sure there were drawers, but that's where she kept her ammo. She turned on the small plasma screen at the foot of her bed, and a blue image flickered to life. Three waves, and one from Shell. She touched the screen, and the square with a woman's face grew, until it filled it completely. The woman on the screen started speaking.

"Good evening Nikkita. I'm afraid I require yr presence immediately. Oh...and wear something nice."

Then the blue screen returned. Not even 22:00 and already she was being harped at by that woman. And wear something nice? What was that about? Nikkita was a gofer not debutant like Shell. She flicked off her waver and wondered if there would at least be time to feed. From her kitchenette, she produced a small thin case. She opened this to reveal several needles filled with enhanced blood. A quick injection, and she was feeling better, ready to deal with Shell Steen and get ahead, however damn way she could.

-Sitting in a single large chamber all to himself, he sat upon a steel throne, many long tubes were hooked to the chair each glowing a red color. Each one providing power to the chair. He sat with his arms on the chairs sides, they weren't locked in place, but the energy was flowing over his gauntlets. His head was hanging down, he was obviously getting some rest from the night before.-

-Suddenly the lights flickered on, and a screen came down from the ceiling in front of his face and turned on. He looked up at the screen as it activated, his red eyes watching as the voice sensor activated.- Nightmare, you have a 100 out of 100 score when it comes to jobs. We need you for this assignment. -Nightmare looked at the screen for a moment and then moved it out of the way as he stood up. As soon as he did the power to his chair turned off. He walked over to tile on the floor and stepped on it gently. The tile went into the air and many racks came from the ceiling harboring weapons.-

Whats the assignment? -He asked looking at his choice of weapons. He never really was one for using guns. The most his projectile weapon list included was an laser bow which hooked to his wrist.-

We've detected a small group of undead in the southern region of the city and would like you to look into it. I know this isn't your standard kind of job, but we will pay you triple the normal rate if you bring back some decent information for us. -Nightmare didn't say anything he simply stood there and then reached for his light bow. It came effective against the undead type. He couldn't use holy items due to his status. He ran his tongue over his fangs and then dropped to the ground stepping off the tile.- Will you take the job then?

Affirmative. -He said reaching up into the air the ceiling let go his pride and joy, the Terror Ripper was his weapon of choice in all situations. The blade spun down quickly and landed in his hand. As soon as he took its grip the blade lit up and so did his armor once more. Spinning the weapon above his head like it was a light staff. Placing the sword near his back the armor sprung to life and pulled the blade in and held it tightly. He walked to the door as it slowly opened the night sky was bright with stars. He was one of the few that could see it once in a while. He took a few moments looking at it and then looked down at the city below. He jumped down descending like a bullet he avoided cars and upper city walkways. Many gasped as he fell past them, some knew who he was. Turning his body he came near the ground, the back of his armor opened to slow him down. Taking the TR off his back he threw it onto the ground and landed on the hilt. The panels on his back closed. He jumped off and took the sword and placed it on his back and began to walk into the crowd. Which in turn moved away from him.-

There was nothing pretty about Persephone's Spaceport Delta. Just like the moniker implied, is wasn't a first or even second class place to land. In fact, it was little more than a long dusty bowl that would have been in the middle of nowhere if it weren't for all the simple folk thronging about it, selling rat kabobs, looking for tickets to a new life, or just a place to score some drops. The ships here where the humble, passenger sort, or the slippery smuggling sort, and they all entered the atmosphere on their own merit, and had to small enough to do just that. It was a place of dusty lines and meager ambitions, and that fit right in with the prices and transports. Oddly enough, people lived out here, and made a living shuttling people into the larger cities, or delivering package and selling hot meals, though those meals were usually made of the animals and plants that lived in the desertous valley, and little more. They lived in sort of shanty town, cobbled together with spare sheet metal, and long tarps tied to stakes driven into the hard unyielding ground. More than one criminal big shot was known to operate from Spaceport Delta's fringe society, their hands in a myriad illegal endeavors.

During the day the yellow sun shone brightly, and there were no large structures in sight, save for the ships. The place looked like a veritable waste yard, each hunk of metal surrounded by haphazard huts and piles of parts.

At night, the thongs thinned, but they were never really gone. Huge flood lights were periodically placed, but more for the benefit of approaching craft than anything else. it's gave the place a blown out look, midnight black shadows ere inches from blining white rays of light. It was a time when a single tourist got mugged, and people huddled together in groups for protection.Gunshots would ring out into the night air, and all would go silent.

Spaceport Delta was a dirty, nasty place.

The cybernetic's eyes start to glow blue as its circuitory power generator is enabled. he was in an almost empty room. except for the one way glass window that contained a team of researchers and engineers. one of them stood at the main control panel facing out to the window, a microphone infront of him and a set of camera screens beside him. The room that the cybernetic was in was quite narrow, longer than it is wide, and the floor was amde of mesh in the center, followed by concrete then a metal outline connecting the walls, ceilings and floors. the wall and ceiling were painted white with nothing but a small camera in the top far left corner of the room. its red light glaring straight at the Frame. One of the researchers near the one at the panel turned to him.
'Power is at 100%, releasing the locks,' He said. Without turning his head the head researcher said.
'Good, lets hope these past several months have not been for nothing,' He replied, stepping up to the microphone.

The locks restraining the Frame's whole body folded back into the metal panel's it was strapped to. The Cybernetic fell slightly and looks around, down at its hands, then resuming to stand upright.
'Testing, Good evening Origin.' The voice came from the camera, and Origin sharply turned its head to look at it. 'Remarkable, it absorbs its surroundings perfectly, The first fully artificial soldier, its quite an honour, is it not Origin?' The researcher said. Origin nodded at the camera. 'im glad you think so. now, would you like to enter the next room if you please.' He said. The door at the end of the room slid open and Origin headed towards it. stumbling a little as he had never walked before. The mainresearcher frowned, thinking that there was an error with its hydraulic muscles, but smiled again as it quickly learnt to walk. He turns to the camera screens.

'Alright, lets begin,' The doors behind Origin slid shut and he sharply turns to look. only to relax as it was just some doors closing. The enxt half an hour was spent performing tests on Origin, his jumping capability, running, hovering and slowly introducing it to its weapons and learning how to effectively use them, along with other weapons it didnt possess. They also tested its social reactions and the AI's capabilities. After all the tests were complete, the door at the end of the long winding sequence of chambers and hallways slid open and the main researcher stood there, along with two other researchers writing several notes down on clipboards and comparing results.
'Well done Origin, very well done, The commander will be most pleased with our results.' He said smiling. and beckons Origin to follow him as he turns to walks up the path, along with the other researchers.

Most of the building was the same as the test chamber, and seemed to be filled with research on anything remotely related to science and engineering. They passed through several hallways, with various rooms coming from them to experiments and construction. Origin soaked all of the engineering ideas up like a sponge. though it was harder to process what was being researched in the science labs. When they reached the end of one last hallway there was a very small spaceport, with a roof and walls made entirely of reinforced diamond coated glass. they walked onto a small frigate, a military class vessel considering the cargo that was onboard. It had several lance turrets along the hull of the ship and inside was an extensive shield network and electronics department. As the frigate left the secret facility Origin explored around the ship. The AI within his head was designed for extensive electronic and arms knowledge, along with the skills needed to learn and lead forces if the need arises. An implant like its AI would be given to a Field Commander or Master Sergeant in the alliance military.

Spaceport Delta was shadowed by a moderate sized craft, long tendril-like wings protrduing forward, from an egg like hull. It flew toward the ground, slowing before hovering in the air, to drop down on the morring pad below. The door hissed open, a black clad figure steeping out, his face instantly forgot, even with it's distuingishable scar. A boy scapmered out, working the mooring lines.

"Watch Ya Ship for Ya Gov? I'll Keep It Good An' Safe Ya Know"

The man, looknig not a day over 21, chucked the boy a coin, smilimg slighlty..

"You better, or they'll be trouble"

He chuckled, ruffling the kids hair in a friendly way. He then disappeared into the crowds, appearing on the other side of the square rumagging through a pile of spare parts. He was looking for nothing in paticular, only a way to pass the time waiting for either his target, or his partner to turn up first.

Working for the Alliance had it's perks: Good pay, Free travel around the system, Priority in queues. But with it's other perk, no security checks, or at least very little, he was able to smuggle goods here and there, even people occasianlly. He sniffed the air, his heightened senses picking up, what he thougt to be the smell of his partner. But he carried on rumagging, careful not to act irratioanlly.

Nikkitta arrived at Shell's spacious town home around 22:30, dressed, and armed to kill. She had been told to dress nice, but no one had asked her to leave her weapons. The thigh strap and gun hostlered to it showed, but it was nothing compared to the utility belt slung over one shoulder and loaded with ammo and another weapon. She would have looked lovely in her silver dress, for she was curvaceous and had a narrow waist, if she didn't look so dammed uncomfortable. How did anyone move in these things? She wondered, readjusting the pack that had also been slung over her shoulder.

Nikkitta rang the doorbell, and soon she was let in. The gray doors slid open, revealing a posh interior full of plush couches and living ferns and potted flowers. Abstract art hung on every wall, each carefully placed and lit with a professional touch. The town home was done in rich reds, yellows, greens and browns, and it's three bedroom floor plan was the envy of more vampires than just Nikkita. She looked around uneasily, for no one appeared to be in the grand room.

"Hello?" She called out, pulling one of her gun from her belt and setting down her pack silently.

Suddenly a high, pretty voice called from the smaller sunken living room just out of sight and to the far right. "Nikkitta, we're in here!"

She walked forward, turning the corner only after she had switched the safety off of her rapid fire weapon, and raising it slightly, already half aimed at eye level. She lowered her weapon once the room came into view, suddenly very uncomfortable indeed.

This room was slightly less formal and right off the kitchen. Two people sat there, now looking at her, with her half cocked weapon, and her silver dress.

Shell, with her tall brown hair, and her fine red dress and matching lips, sat in an arm chair, effectively in command of the room. Meanwhile a man, human she guessed, in full green military garb sat on a long couch, but at the near end, so as to be closer to Shell. The small table at his elbow held a silver service set of mixed vodka and a small glass bowl of olives. His martini had been set down, his legs crossed, taking away from his otherwise masculine appearance. He seemed to be appraising her, looking her up and down. Shell spoke at once.

"Ah, and here she is! What do yu think?" She asked the man.

"She's a little heavy, don't yu think?" He replied simply.

Nikkitta was about to go off on the man, when Shell cut her off, explaining. "He means as a weapon, Nikkitta, as a weapon. Heavy artillery. Isn't that what yu mean Colonel?"

He nodded. "Why yes, of course. Hahaha! No of course. My manners may be lacking, but really, I didn't mean that." He held out his hand. "I'm Colonel Cary, Nikkitta. Charmed." She took it warily, still wondering what was going on. To Shell "Yes, I'm sure she'll be plenty. " He winked at her, and she grimaced.

Shell only nodded. "Nikkitta, yr being assigned to infiltrate a night club on Sun and Ventra ways C."

"But I don't even have a flyca-!"

Shell held up her hand. "Money and amenities will be provided by the state. Yu will assume a new identity. It's a favor for the Alliance, and I promised we'd get someone in. For the first few months, yu'll do recon only, understand? No shooting! Anyone! Until yr cleared to."

"But-!"

Shell silenced her with a look. "Yr new identity will be ready tomorrow."

Nikkitta crossed her arms. "What kind of club is this anyway?"

Shell blushed and looked at Colonel Cary nervously, coughing.

"Well?"

"It's a strip club." He said, only just keeping a straight face.

Nightmare watched as the woman made her way to her apartment building. He stood there as she entered and then turning the corner he stayed out of side of the building. " Target sighted, female slender body, bust strong, weapons... none that I could see but they always carry something."

"Affirmative. No action what so ever Nightmare, we want her alive. She's the only one that is close to Shell." Nightmare listened intently and understood.

"I understand Sir, I will not take action unless given the order." He let his hand off the ear piece and looked around the corner. He saw nothing, opening a compartment on his armor he took out two cameras that were very small he tossed them towards the building. They stopped in the bushes and watched the door. He stood there and looked at his arm as a monitor. Soon he watched as the doors opened and he saw her leaving. " Target is moving." As soon as she cleared the area he held out his hand and the cameras floated back to his hand.

"Nightmare... thats enough recon for tonight. You are to return and give us that camera feed for further inspection. A drop ship is coming in to pick you up." Nightmare took his hand of the ear piece. He turned walking to an open area he looked up as a blue drop ship bearing the alliance insignia on it. He walked inside the hangar doors and they closed as it lifted him back to base. He headed to head quarters and set his camera on the table and left without saying a word. He went back to his chambers turning he entered a code which locked his door and kept all communications out.

He walked to the square he stepped on earlier and it rose up going half way this time, little arms came down grabbing his armor it unlatched it and took it from his arms and legs and chest. His hair was now short, it was too far into the future to keep his hair short. As his chest armor was removed his wings on his back opened up and stretched outward. He walked to the showers and stepped in and cleansed his body of all the accumulated sweat. No one knew of his true form, only a chosen few knew who he was. His daughter who he hadn't seen in nearly 2 millenniums and a small presence he felt arrive not to long ago.

He walked out into the main empty chamber once more after he was dry, he walked to the same square and was refitted once more into his freshly cleaned armor. As soon as everything was suited he walked to his chair and sat down the armor lit up harnessing his power. He closed his eyes typing in his password onto a pad the room went to normal. He now rested until his next assignment.

-Reitis briskly walked down the clean and smoothly-made ground of Oposi Avenue, returning the nods and greetings from his business associates on the way to his shop, where he already saw a few solid men and women waiting nearby to see his wares. It seemed that no matter what time he chose to leave his shop he'd always come back to find people impatiently waiting for his return. He himself was literally a walking showcase for his shop, as he carried four serrated blades at his waist and two high-powered pistols with wide blades attached underneath them in his shoulder holsters. In addition, a lightweight pump-action shotgun was placed inside of a harness on his back. If need be, he carried a large cape that could cover up all of his weapons when he wore it, but on his own street he knew nobody would be threatened by his guns.

He arrived at his shop, with a glowing red neon sign above the door reading "Olikh Security Center" illuminating the seemingly small and seedy building around it. Reitis walked up to the door, greeting and pushing his way past the people outside while swiping a card through a large locking mechanism on the carbon-infused steel door, unlocking it and pushing it open. The dim light inside illuminated him somewhat, showing his snug black leather pants with bright red stitchings wrapping around the legs at random points. His shirt was a collared black button-up shirt worn loosely with his weapons, of course, being worn outside of it and his braided auburn hair was seemingly pinned to his lower back as he moved swiftly around the shop, turning on all of the backlights of the weapon cases.

Lined around the walls of the room were an endless variety of sniper rifles, pistols, shotguns, assault rifles, and sub-machine guns, all protected from theft by a clear but nearly impenetrable casing. In the same casing around the floor of the shop was an equally large amount of bladed weapons and gun accessories, with large neon green price tags strung to each and every piece of inventory. His electronic cash register was located in the back of store, with multiple locking and security mechanisms attached to it to protect the contents inside. Behind this register, in a room barricaded by a door equal in fortitude to the front door, was the explosives room; only Reitis himself goes inside of there, and nobody has even the slightest idea as to what is inside of it besides the glimpse of what they can buy from his large catalog chained to multiple glass cases around the shop.

Now that people were inside and everything was good to go, he positioned himself behind the register and flicked it on with a swipe of his card at three points around it. His store was open for business.-

Nikkitta excused herself moments later to change. She was Shell's bitch alright. And now she would be taking her clothes off in public to prove it. But what could she do? The woman was influential, rich. Everything Nikkitta needed.

In the bathroom the Silver dress came off at once, replaced by her thigh high black boots, her shorts and halter, and her short jacket. When she emerged, the colonel was gone, and Shell was standing there, all properly dressed and politely smiling, with two syringes filled with that damn addictive blood in it. It was the best on the market, and without Shell, she likely never would have been able to afford such a habit. She took the syringes gratefully, and they both went into the bathroom, where Shell kindly began to tie of Nikkitta's right arm for her. Moments later Nikkitta was in vampire heaven. Vampire heaven on 'roids. She sighed.

"Nikkitta," Shell said idly, giving her guest her own arm to tie off. "Colonel Cary might want yu not to shoot anyone on the job, but I don't want yu putting yrself in harms way for some alliance gig. I'm going to give yu a few thousand platinum before yu go. I'm sure yu'll be able to put it to good use."

Nikkitta pushed down the plunger of the needle sticking out of Shell's perfect pale white arm slowly. "A few thousand?" She asked wiping the small droplet of blood that was left when the needle came out.

Shell nodded, color flushing into her cheeks. "I wasn't able to give yu the full story back there. This night club is a front for the Dresden Boys crime syndicate."

"What's alliance need me if they know all that? They always struck me as the shoot first ask questions later type of assholes." Nikkitta asked, zipping up her pack, and slinging it back on her shoulder.

"Honestly Nikkitta, I have no idea. But that Colonel Cary is involved in it somehow. He's got his own agenda, and it's not the alliance's."

"Tell me again why I'm getting between a corrupt Colonel and one of the most violent organized crime groups in existence? Not to mention sullying yr name with Cary, whatever he gets caught doing."

"Really Nikkitta, all officials are either zealots or corrupt. I prefer the later. And because Cary has been assigned surveillance of several key city blocks we want ignored. Once we have enough on him...yu wont have to be undercover for long. I promise."

............

Oposi avenue A was (as the label a suggested) on the planet surface, not suspended above like Oposi avenues B-E. It was also crowded with the usual industrial collar travelers, and more than the cities fair share of armed citizens could be spotted walking down the road. Nikkitta and her three weapons, her belt full of ammo fit right in. She had the card Shell had given her in one hand, and was tapping it thoughtfully. This was a lot of money, more than she expected, and she wondered if this meant she was rising in importance.

Reitis's shop was easy to find. It was the one all the mercs could be seen walking into, and out of. Once inside she approached her longtime friend, leaning on the glass counter, her hands rubbing her face tiredly. She was trying to figure out how to explain this new assignment to him. It would not be fun.

"Hey Reitis. What's shaking...." She spoke low enough so that none of the other customers could hear, and rested easy knowing Reitis was too smart not to scan for bugs constantly. After all, it was a security center.

a small bell noise sounded and Origin looked up at it.
'Can Origin please report to the deck, i repaeat, can Origin please report to the deck' Said a man at the intercom. Origin walked up from the engine room through the ship and up to the main deck. The ship had stopped at an unscheduled time and it made him wonder.

When he reached the deck there were no crew members left alive. a large hole had been blown through the wall and several men dressed in ragged clothes pointed guns at him.
'Surrender, frame, your coming with us.' said one of them. Origin had yet to know who space pirates were, but he did know that anyone pointing a gun at him was a possible threat. There were too many men to take on, and there was a group of escape pods not far down the ship.

With haste, Origin lashed out at the pirates, unleashing a volley of bullets at them. The pirates ducked down to take cover behind objects and Origin made his escape as they took cover. Dashing towards the escape pods, he had only a vague idea of where he would end up. He turns a corner, two of the pirates were chasing after him and fired their pistols at him, leaving bullet marks on the metal walls. He make sit to a ladder for an escape pod and sharply turns to jump down into it. Immediatly ejecting from the ship. The two pirates went back to the deck of the frigate and called their comrades to follow, jumping into the remaining escape pods, leaving two men behind to secure and then hijack the vessel.

"Target moving." A voice came from above. Nightmare slowly opened his eyes as he did so they were glowing red, they soon faded back to the normal green color. His armor was coursing with red energy, as he stood up the runes faded and the armor went dark. He walked over to the square again stepping on it, he rose into the air and many panels of weapons came down. Taking his light bow, he attached it to his right gauntlet, it compacted and stored inside. Thinking long and hard about it he might run into some fast little blood suckers when he's out there. If he isn't able to befriend them then he will need something fast. "Target last spotted entering a weapons shop on Oposi avenue A." Going higher on his platform he opened another platform filled with two custom made weapons, much resembling the standard Desert Eagle of old, though more modernized although double the size and firing power. Taking 2 syringes of top quality blood he opens his left gauntlet and places them inside.

"Affirmative." Nightmare responded and took his two customs and placed them into holders on his thighs. The compartments closed with only grips sticking out for quick drawing. Loaded with special bullets filled with Ultra Violet fluid only activated through detonation after entering. Placing 4 magazines in his armor he lowered to the ground. Going back to his chair he sat down and a small battery attached to his back to keep his armor activated for over 12 hours if needed without his Terror Ripper supplying the power. "Send my sword to the storage container on Oposi avenue A. If I need it i'll call for it."

Leaving the room he walked to the exit and opened the door, a drop ship waited for him. He entered it and gripped the side as he was transported to the upper levels of the city over Oposi avenue A. From the drop of zone he walked to an elevator that led him down to the ground surface. He walked out and saw the shop just down the road. "Nightmare, your orders are not to engage unless engaged."

"Understood." Turning and walking towards the shop he came up to the steps and entered the store and looked over at his target and the owner. He watched her for a second then took a step around the shop looking at all the weapons in the shop. As he turned his hair moved and the tips of his pointy ears showed. He wasn't human, just like them. He looked a little weird, he was wearing old style armor with a futuristic feel to it.

-Reitis had his back turned to the Nikkitta as he cleaned and polished a large, serrated blade held still by two thin and padded metal clamps. His "public workshop" of sorts was located in plain sight on a few desks behind the fortified desks lined in a three-sided square around the register. This, of course, wasn't his actual workshop but his customers loved to see him at work crafting weapons and making modifications to the weapons they hired him to work on. Small screens were hidden out of sight of the customers but in perfect view for Reitis to keep tabs on them as he worked. His store was crafted to be one of the safe havens of Oposi Avenue while ironically housing the most dangerous weapons on the market, and anyone who dared to break that sanctity would be dealt with quickly by Reitis or, more likely, one of his loyal customers.

Reitis took a step back and observed the blade, picking it up and looking at it from all angles. The luster was even on all points, and the blade had been sharpened to a fine edge all the way through. Satisfactory and worthy of bearing his reputation, he figured, as he handed it to a large and hulking man adorned in a bodysuit of black dragon-scale armor, holding a tactical helmet with three separate visors attached at his side. He gave the blade a quick glance and, finding it suitable as always, handed Reitis his portable storage card which he quickly inserted and removed from his register as it flashed a neon yellow large print across the screen reading "40 PLATINUM RECEIVED FROM MR. REOKA'S FUNDS". The man came in with a new card every week, it seemed, but money was money to Reitis, no matter how dirty it came to him. The card was handed back to "Reoka" and he left the store after stashing his blade back into the sheath at his waist.

Now that business was settled, he turned his attention to Nikkitta, who had been waiting patiently at his desk. He figured she knew better than to rush his operations, as his reputation amongst his customers was of utmost importance to him, especially with the often rowdy clientèle he was subjected to on a daily basis. Nevertheless, he was always glad to see someone that wasn't a complete dimwit so Nikkitta was always welcome in his store. He smiled genially and let his striking features show: icy blue eyes that were almost as pale as his skin, a clean-shaven face, chiseled jaw, and defined, high cheekbones, all accentuated by black tattoos of patterns similar to those on his blades around his thin, black eyebrows, his cheeks, and his mouth.-

Business as usual, Nikkitta. Keeping busy thanks to people such as you flashing my products everywhere. -he leaned in closer to her, lowering his voice to the same level as hers- Is there a reason why you feel the need to speak in hushes amidst a room full of scoundrels and lowlifes? -he paused for a moment- ...Perhaps to avoid the ears of someone on your tail?

*She shook her head* Oh yu know me. *She said with a dry smile* I attract all sorts of attention. *She glanced around.* Speaking of attention....was that pointy ear fellow watching me? *She asked in an even lower voice.* Damn, and I really needed to speak to yu too. *She turned to regard the fellow, knowing Reitis must have noticed it also, if she did even with her back turned. She lowered her right hand to her right side arm, openly staring at the man she had thought was a little too interested in her and her conversation, or attempted conversation with Reitis. Her knees bent, and with her finger an inch away from the trigger, she was prepared to draw and roll at the slightest sign of violence. If it had been anywhere else, she would have drawn her weapon at once. But this was supposed to be a haven, and Reitis had his own methods of safe gaurding his clientele.*

-Feeling the Vampire tense up at him, he saw her go for her weapon. A small noise was heard as a compartment on his leg opened up and he put his hand on the hilt of the weapon, the gun he drew out was large, it made normal 45's look like pee shooters. It seemed like it kept coming out as finally the end came and he had no intention of firing his orders were to engage if engaged. He was only protecting himself. He made no movement to aim the gun at her, yet. He had a twin to the gun he was holding now only he kept it holstered he didn't want to pull the other one out just yet.- Easy, I have no intent on hurting you. As long as you don't fight. I would do this the hard way if given the order too, so I'll cut to the chase. Your the closest I know to Shell's organization, you comply to my demands and i'll give you and your friend here can share these. -His right gauntlet jettisoned two heavy filled high grade blood packs.- Fail to comply and I will be forced to kill you.

-Reitis instantly flicked up a plastic cover next to his register and pushed the button underneath, projecting a shield wall directly in front of Nikkitta and Reitis that looked like a dull, yellow screen of static on both sides. Tiles from the roof in the four corners of the shop slid out of the way as mounted .50 machine guns sprung downwards, bursting forth from their segmented parts. They locked into place and aimed at the man holding a weapon, flicking red lights at four separate parts of his body as circular shield sprung up around each gun. Reitis himself reached under his desk and pulled out a rifle nearly the size of himself, loaded with hollow-point .50 rounds to match that of his ceiling defense system-

This shield here won't let a damn shot of yours pass, but all of mine will, and I can assure you every bullet that passes through this shield is going straight into your skull if you try anything stupid. -he aimed the rifle directly at Nightmare's head, the red dot remaining steady as if the rifle were mounted to the ground-

Now how about we bargain on my terms? You get your prissy little hands off of that gun, hand over the blood packs, and leave my store. If you choose to decline... -he flicked a switch on his rifle, activating the ceiling turrets as they beeped fiercely- Then I'm afraid the only business you'll be doing here is attracting more customers when they see your body ripped to shreds by my wares. It's your choice, stranger.

Nikkitta sought to disfuse the situation, letting her hand off her gun slowly. "Let's everyone just relax now. No one needs to get shot, so long as no one gets stupid." She said looking in the stranger's direction. She picked up one of the heavy bags of blood, still looking at him. "This is a lot of money to throw at someone. Yu must be Alliance. Yu have their manners too. What do yu want with Shell Steen?"

-Krimson put his gun away and the compartment closed once the target took her hand off his gun. He stood there watching the other man closely and all of his other guns. His actions were based on the target not of the other man.- Negative. -He said to Reitis, he watched her look at the blood packs.- I am not the Alliance, I just work for them. If Shell can pay me higher then what im being payed I would work for her, but I doubt it. Now what is Shell up to? Her organization is expanding far beyond the Alliance control. -He watches her and her friends movements. His hand was near a device that would call his TR is he needed it.- Well?

*Nikkitta blinked. Of course her people could pay more. it's how they survived, essentially, feeding off the greed of city and military officials, paying for what the Alliance could not.

"Shell can pay, more than the Alliance." She said at once. " But she'll need proof of what yr making now. Also......" She thought quickly. This was a do or die moment and she needed to cover every angle. Hell maybe this was her way into the real echelons of power. She was grateful that the other customers had left. Reitis' guns had made them take to the streets. "And yu have to be able to follow orders. Can yu, follow orders that is? ......Even orders to use manners and act....human?" She asked. The man's responses had been robotic. Maybe human was too much to ask for, but Shell's world was one of subtly. She couldn't walk in there and suggest they hire this guy with a straight face unless he could move within such a world.

-He watched her when she said they could pay more.- I work for an agency who cares neither about the Alliance nor the rest of the world. I work for the highest payer. Im being payed triple my normal amount for this mission. The alliance is desperate for this information. My normal amount is 20000 credits. It's enough repair my ship, and repair the weapons I have damaged in battle during my missions. They are indeed desperate. -He watches her.- Give me something even something to tell them a statement, and i'll split what I earn with you. -He said looking at her.- A deal?

She could sure as hell use the money, but this was her life on the line, not to mention countless other vampires who sought refuge in the sewers each night.

"Deal.......


Shell is trying to appear as a humanist by lobbying to lessen police patrols, because she's running for office." Nikkitta added, improvising. "She hopes to run for Persephone House Representative next year, and is now gearing up for her campaign." Shell would have her head or her hand for this, and she was not sure which. It was such a fantastical lie, and so perfectly plausible. It explained everything, and even had a hint of the scandal they seemed to be searching for.

-He recorded all of this.- I didn't think it was going to that easy. -Looking at the exit he brought up his hand placing it on his ear.- This is Nightmare, I have the statement you've been wanting. I'm returning to base for my reward.- Looking at the blood packs he picked them up.- Here for your troubles. -He had a personality but he had long forgotten it. He turned and walked outside the door then stopped. He turned taking his right gun from its holster he turned walking to her and held it out to her.- This is my favorite weapon, hold onto it as insurance that I will pay you.

Nikkitta had asked Reitis to lower the shield, and this was how she had manged to get the second packet of blood, and the weapon the man had offered for insurance. He had called himself Nightmare, she thought to herself. Once Nightmare was gone, customers remained outside, as if wondering whether the confrontation had come to a close. Everyone, even outside, seemed to credit Reitis with the victory and the peaceful resolution, and Nikkitta didn't mind. People finally began to stream back in, but only after she had zipped the blood and the man's favorite gun up into the pack she had still slung over one shoulder. She turned to her friend.

"Well that was fun...I'm going to need some extra protection, and it seems like todays my day." She grabbed her credit card once more. "I got a few thousand square to blow for a new assignment." She would share the blood with Reitis of course, if he only asked and provided the place, but she had disrupted his place of work too much already to go and suggest such a thing. Besides, she wasn't sure if he would want any part of it.

-Reitis was glad to have seen the meddling machine leave his store, and cast the event out of his mind as soon as he saw the customer's admiring faces enter once more. He eyed the blood slung around Nikkitta's shoulder, but didn't want to bring it up just yet even though his thirst bit at him fervently-

And that's just what I like to hear, ya damn troublemaker. What is it that you'll be needing? Actually, more importantly, just what is this new mission you have? Perhaps my somewhat professional input would be needed to help you find what you need the most from my store. I remember a few times in the past when you were regretting your decision to not ask for my assistance, after all. -he locked the rifle up underneath his desk again, disabling the defense system entirely-

You know, perhaps we could go enjoy that blood behind the store after you're stocked up. I promise you that nobody will ask questions in my neighborhood.

Nikkitta laughed, leaning forward. "From the size of those bags I'd say we should defiantly do that.
Ugh, as for this job.....Shell wants me to take a job at a Dresden boy's nightclub for a while." She looked around. "I'm thinking small, deceptive devices. Explosives that look like bubble gum or some such. I'm posing as a....." This was the part she'd been dreading. "I'm going to work as a stripper." She said blushing, her eyes not meeting his.

Nightmare took the drop ship back to the Alliance HQ. He walked over to the main office and placed the recording of the whole situation of her talking. He left out the deal they made knowing he would be taken into surveillance. The credits were given to him in a case, he opened it in the office and took the credits out and stored them within in his suit. He put the case back. " I don't trust you. " He said turning he walked out of the building. Making his way back to the hide out he sealed off the room and took his armor off once more. His gun had a tracking device built inside of it, just in case he ever lost it.

Walking into his bathroom he ran the fresh clean water onto his skin, he washed his face and neck, the jewel he forever cherished fell and dangled for his eyes to see. He had a flash back of the woman who had given it to him. She was smiling and so was he. He held his head some and then tucked it away under his shirt.

He would wait a few days before he got in contact with the Target Nikkita he believed her name was. He had no target, not any longer. He was looking for a fight in that store, the odds of firing would gave been against him, but not impossible. He walked to his throne and sat down he wasn't going to be disturbed till he got all the rest he wanted. Closing his eyes he faded to sleep.