෴Raz෴

෴Sia෴

෴Tavi෴

Yesterday

Raz woke to the sound of screaming.

“How could you fuck my own sister in my own place?!” Sia shrieked.

He rolled off the futon and landed awkwardly on the floor. “But no!—You said!—But I thought!—Not cheating!—You said it was ok!” His gaze darted around searching for his clothes and a way out.

Another sound filled the room as he continued to scramble about looking for his clothing. A moment passed before he realized the sound was laughter.

Sia and Tavi were standing there, laughing so hard she was making little whining sounds at the end of every breath. The laughter did intriguing things to her bare bodies.

Raz took in the appealing view for a moment as he relaxed and then shook his head. “That was mean. You’re lucky I like you.”

Sia finally calmed down enough to speak. “Nothing that funny can ever be mean!”

Tavi vanished. Raz took the opportunity to appreciate Sia’s lack of outfit. “Did you come back for round two?”

She snorted. “You mean round seven? Don’t forget it’s all me. You and Tavi totally count.”

“Ok, you back for round seven?” he retorted.

“Honestly, I’m kinda sore. I can get unsore, or even another, another, aspect if you’re really wanting to, but don’t mistake a lot of sex for progress. I’m honestly not sure where you’re getting all the...” She glanced down. “Stamina.”

Raz furrowed his brow and then nodded. “Hmm, what can I say, you inspire me. But, you’re right. I do have things to do. Fun distraction though!”

Tavi popped back into the room fully dressed. Sia turned to go.

Raz took the opportunity to smack Sia’s ass, eliciting a surprised yelp and an insouciant grin. He sat down and started getting dressed.

Tavi sat down next to him on the futon. “So, you have things to do. What’s the plan?”

Raz glanced at her as he tied the boots on. She looked and sounded sincere. “Well, the way I see it, I have several problems. First, I have no money, no access to money, and no real prospects for getting money. Second, my mom is missing, and all I know is she went to see Marcador, whatever that is. Third, I’m too vulnerable. If Midnight is right, then I can never resume my life because I’ll always be too vulnerable to someone else like Braithwaite.”

She waited a moment to see if he was done. When he stood up without saying more, she replied. “I agree, that sums up your situation pretty well. So what are you planning to do about it?”

Raz left the guest bedroom and headed out to the kitchen with Tavi in tow. “Well, as I see it, money might help me solve my missing mother problem, but wouldn’t solve my vulnerability problem. Solving the missing mother problem, if even possible without solving the other two, wouldn't solve either of the others, and I’m dubious that I can solve that problem in isolation. So that leaves me with one option.”

She nodded. “You need to be less vulnerable. How do you plan to do that?”

He took a long pull from a glass of water. “Well, how can I solve it?”

She laid a hand on his arm. “I have a few ideas. I think I can help. Mind giving me a little time to get things together?”

He nodded. “I don’t see why not. How much time are we talking about?”

She leaned in and hugged him. Raz enjoyed the warmth and the contact. Before letting him go, she took a deep sniff and wrinkled her nose. “I tell you what, take a nice long shower, put on some of those new clothes, and I’ll be ready by the time you’re done.”

“Really? That’s fast. Ok, if you can get what I need by then, color me impressed. I’ll go grab a shower now.”

*** *** ***

A little over twenty minutes later Raz couldn’t justify staying in the shower any longer.

Endless hot water is awesome, but no need to prune it up. I guess we’ll see what she could do in this much time.

Once dry, he pulled on new clothing from the bags, and resolved to get another shirt or two as soon as possible.

So how does Remote Access work?

[Scanning.]

[Distributed consciousness found.]

[Current Energy per node: 20]

[Four local nodes out of unknown total.]

[Update: five local nodes out of unknown total.]

[Update: three local nodes out of unknown total.]

[Update: six local nodes out of unknown total.]

[Update: two local nodes out of unknown total.]

[Current energy per node: 5]

[Interface defenses vs forcible actions estimated at 15/100]

20 local nodes? How many of her are there really?

[Negative. Scrolling caused by frequent updates. Node count and node energy rapid changes can be tracked, but that info isn’t useful to display. Remote Access has a limited range.]

Defenses of 15? That sounds pretty low.

[15 may be average, 100 may be the maximum. This is our first scan.]

[Designation?]

“Is this like the opponent designation?”

[No. This is for convenience and speed of future application.]

[Do you wish to assign a name to this group of nodes.]

I think we can safely assume those are all aspects of hers.

[Reminder, do not communicate with me verbally.]

Oh right, thanks. Name it Sia.

The question is, what can I actually do with this ability?

[As stated, you can remotely access the target’s interface with permissions.]

[You can attempt to insert thoughts, ideas, or feelings into other hosts via their system.]

[Warning, this appears to be a nonstandard application of this ability, results will probably be inconsistent.]

[Additional Warning, this requires skill, and will often result in the target being aware or suspicious of an external locus of ideation.]

Can you break that down for me?

[They will know something is wrong and may suspect or feel that the thoughts, feelings, or ideas came from outside of them.]

I sure hope the AI 3 turns out to be useful, Remote Access isn’t filling me with confidence. Those other two options are looking pretty good in retrospect.

[Reminder: You wanted the ability to access the interface of others, and prevent unauthorized access to your system.]

[This purchase accomplished both.]

So, does that mean I could see Sia’s abilities?

[Yes. Provided you receive access.]

Sort of like the way Midnight was trying to get me to say yes?

[Exactly so.]

We gotta go out there and try this!

Raz exited the bathroom and went to the living room to find Sia.

He found her and some other aspects sitting in a room covered with military and paramilitary gear. The floor was nearly covered with guns of all sorts. The couch had more piled on it. The loveseat had a pale gray jumpsuit and a black vest of some sort. A row of rifles and shotguns leaned against the far wall. Near the front door lay a wicked looking array of blades.

“So, see anything that strikes your fancy?” Sia asked in a cheerful tone.

Raz scanned over the room several times, nearly overwhelmed with the many options.

“Wow. I don’t know what I expected, but an armory in the living room wasn’t it.” he finally said.

“Oh.” she sounded much less happy now. “I thought some defensive gear might help you feel less vulnerable.”

Raz carefully walked in the narrow clear path between the guns laying all over the floor and crouched next to Sia to pull her into an embrace. “I like it. I just didn’t expect this.”

“So, aside from being impressed, what am I doing?” he quipped.

“Pick something you like.”

He stood up and looked around. “I can just pick one?”

“Well actually, I want you to pick three, one of each type, and a blade. Let's get you set up with a long arm, a shotgun, and a sidearm. I got shorter carbines out because I don’t recall ever doing any long range shooting together. But if you want a rifle let me know.”

“So you’re saying this isn’t even the whole collection?”

She smiled and shook her head. “Nah, it's close, but I left out the big rifles.”

“You’re right. I never got into long range shooting. I had more fun doing—” Raz looked critically at the trigger guard of the Glock 20 he was eyeing. “Hold that thought.”

He disappeared back into the bedroom and returned before Sia could wonder what he was up to. He returned pulling on and buckling up the heavy metal gauntlets. “Gotta make sure I get something I can use wearing gloves.”

Sia frowned at the gloves. “You’re going to have guns. Why worry about a specific pair of gloves?”

He shrugged. “I just like them. When I have them on I feel like I could really kick some ass in a fight.” he saw he roll her eyes. “Yeah, I’m aware that it’s silly. But I like them, and I’m going to keep them.”

“Well, I can tell just by looking at those giant things that your rifle is going to be an AK or an AR with an enlarged trigger guard. Your shotgun will have to be a KS-12T out of what I have.” She stopped and scanned the floor. “For pistols, I think you’ve got the Mark 23, or nothing.” She pointed at an almost comically oversized pistol off to the side.

“No Desert Eagle?” he quipped.

She pointed across the room to another large pistol. “Oh I’ve got one right there. Doubt it’s a good fit. You’re welcome to check, but it doesn’t have a big oversized trigger guard like the Mark 23.”

Raz glanced at it and could instantly see she was right. “That’s too bad. I always wanted to shoot a Desert Eagle."

She looked at him with an exasperated expression. “You can. We can go to the range right now if you like. But right now we’re making some choices to help you with that vulnerability problem. Besides, the Desert Eagle is cool looking, but it's heavy, and not that reliable. I have this one dialed in pretty well, some gunsmithing for reliability, and ammo it likes. All that and it’s probably still on the less reliable end of things.”

Raz cocked his head. “You make it sound like it’s not that great of a gun. Why have it?”

She pointed at it. “Did I mention that it’s badass looking? It’s even kinda fun to shoot, if you like big .50 caliber pistol bullets. I just wouldn’t use it in a fight unless I had no other options, or maybe if I truly needed the extra power but had to stick with a pistol.” She shrugged. “What can I say. I like it. It’s iconic, I just recognize its flaws.”

He glanced over the array of weapons again. “Speaking of power, I just noticed, no revolvers?”

She shrugged. “Not really my thing. If I need to punch heavy, I bring a big rifle or shotgun.”

“This other one you’re recommending, the 23, is it a good choice?”

She nodded emphatically. “It’s a little dated in some respects, and lower capacity than a few others, but the Mark 23 is a very solid choice. Purpose built and tested for extreme military use. I have nine or ten magazines for it, more than you’ll want to carry in any case, a suppressor made specifically for it, a weapon light, a holster that fits it with both of those attached, and it’s just a damn good pistol. Gimme five minutes and I can set it up for double action only, simulate the Glocks you’re used to.”

She thinks guns will solve the problem. Good start, useful tools, but without catalyst I don’t see them solving the overall vulnerability problem. The question is, can I risk telling her what I’m really looking for?

Bee seemed to recognize the rhetorical question for what it was.

“Ok, I’m sold, mind if I have a look?” He asked, already eyeing the large handgun.

“Not at all.”

Raz picked up the pistol Sia had recommended. An oversized polymer framed handgun with a full length slide and a threaded barrel. The slide indicated it was chambered in .45 acp. He ejected the magazine, checked the chamber, and then dry fired it in a safe direction. “This could work. The trigger is pretty nice. But wow, this rifle sized trigger guard! Good call, that’s what I need with these gloves.”

“I guess you’re lucky I have as much of a thing for H&K’s as you do for Glocks.” Sia handed him a black Heckler and Koch box the size of an attache case.

Raz put the pistol and its box down in time to see aspects begin popping in and popping back out with all the weapons that wouldn’t work for his gloves. The light gray jumpsuit caught his eye again. “What’s with the long johns?”

Sia suddenly looked excited. “Ooh, that is going to look so badass on you. Strip down and try it on!”

The suit took a little doing to put on, but once he put it on and moved around for a moment, it was like it vanished from his sense of touch. It felt as though it weighed next to nothing, and moved and stretched as well as he did.

“Ok, I’ll admit, this does look pretty cool. I think I was imagining it would be hot, or stiff, but it’s like I’m not wearing anything.”

Sia wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “Well, sadly you are wearing something, but I’m glad you like it.”

“I see that look woman! Don’t start something you’re not up to finishing.” he said with a smile.

She giggled. “Maybe later stud. Let’s get you the rest of the way outfitted.”

Raz ended up settling on a short-barrelled AR-15 pistol with an enlarged trigger guard, and a KS-12T, a weapon that looked like the love child of a shotgun and an AK-47.

“Thanks for helping me gear up. Anything I need to know about them in particular?” He said.

“I don’t think so. I don’t keep anything that isn't highly reliable, so aside from making sure you know the manual of arms, I don’t think so. The AR runs like an AR, the Shotgun basically is an AK, so it runs like an AK. That reminds me. I keep the shotgun magazines downloaded by two for easier reloads.” Sia replied.

“Ok, just making sure. And they’re all you know, legal?”

“Oh yeah, they’re all civilian weapons, so there’s nothing to be illegal abo—” She looked up at him. “Good lord! Are you asking me if I stole them? Why do you keep assuming I steal things? I know I said I might not be above that, but I’m starting to wonder if I should be offended.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” Raz frowned as he thought about it. “Actually, I think it might just be projection. I’m pretty sure that if I could teleport, I probably would steal things. I… And I probably shouldn't admit that.”

“So you think if you had abilities you could use for evil, you would?”

He scratched his head with the gauntlet fingertip. “Evil? No. I don’t think that at all. I do feel like my attitude toward some things has changed ever since I got locked up. Everything in my life around me feels very unstable. So many things I’d have said were off the table, I feel like I’d do them to survive without hesitating. Maybe if I can get back into some kind of stable life it will change, but right now it’s like my moral compass has got a lot fewer little stops in it.”

He looked down at his armored hands. “There are still the big things I won’t do, not for any reason. But–more and more the minor stuff like that isn’t bothering me. I sort of feel purified, almost like a lot of old weaknesses have been burned away.”

He turned to look at the extended magazines for the Shotgun, and missed Sia’s expression change from worry to fearful despair.

“So I guess I should ask. What are your terms here?” He asked as he sat down next to the three weapons.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, are you loaning them to me? Rent to own? Use them, but only if you approve? Just trying to figure out what’s happening here.”

She shrugged, “It’s not like I don’t still have plenty. Let’s call them a gift, maybe an apology gift for having kept some pretty big secrets from you.”

He looked at her with a stern, almost blank expression. “Look, there’s something I have to say. if you think you can just buy my forgiveness with a lot of sex and some new toys…”

Her face and shoulders tensed up.

Raz let a wide grin emerge to replace his stony expression. “You’re making a hell of a good go at it! I can't wait to hit the range.”

He pulled her into a one-armed hug. “I mean, I said I forgive you and I mean it. I’m trying to move past all the secrets.”

He grew serious again. “But, if you feel like it would help you sleep at night, you could throw in some magazines and ammo.” he said with a wide smile.

She shook her head and tried to hide her relief. “Well, since it’s you. I’ll see what I can do.”

She pointed toward the doorway where the blades were layed out. “Make sure you pick a knife. Gonna dress you up all tacticool, you’d look silly without some over the top knife to go with it.”

Raz put on the vest, and then added magazines to the vest and belt. “Yep, this feels like a competition rig now.”

She pulled out a package of two slightly curved objects. “Here, these go with that. They’re too big for me anyway.”

He accepted the surprisingly light rigid plates. “What are these for?”

She showed him how to open the large pocket centered on the vest front and back. “This type of vest is what they call a plate carrier. Useful if you think you might get shot at.” She looked him in the eye with a serious expression. “Try not to get shot at.”

“Uh, yeah. Pretty sure no one really wants to get shot.” he raised an eyebrow at her.

She laughed with a self conscious look, “Yeah, I guess that’s true. Just telling you what they told me. The whole, ‘it’s still really bad to get shot’, and ‘it’s an armor plate covering some vital thoracic areas, not a force field’ and stuff like that.”

He nodded with an amused smile. “Duly noted. I will continue to try and avoid gunfights, and being shot at in general.”

He hefted the rear plate after slipping the front plate into its place. “I can’t get over how light these are!”

She went to the closet and pulled out a similar smaller vest. “Yeah, these plates are nice. The light ones that are effective cost some bucks, but work provides them for those of us that aren’t bulletproof.” She took the plate from him and slipped it into the rear plate holder.

He looked at the clock. “Think he’ll be back tonight?”

She sighed. “I don’t know. It’s not exactly normal times right now. Normally he wouldn’t drop in at all without calling ahead, so who knows.” she held up her hands with a helpless look.

“And this stuff, it’s really mine, to use how I want?” He asked, looking out the window.

She leaned back from him and looked him over. “Well, yeah. I hope you’re not planning to just pawn them or something, but they’re yours for real.”

He stood up, “Thanks, this will help a lot.” He looked down at himself, sweats over the grey jumpsuit, two long guns slung over his shoulders, a pistol holstered on a tactical belt and a plate carrier vest filled with rifle and pistol magazines.

“I must look ridiculous. I’m dressed like some unholy mix of mall ninja, confused tacticool, and a healthy mix of internet operator with a side of gym rat.”

She let out a giggle. “Sorry babe, but you’re kind of right. Don’t worry, I’m not laughing with you.”

He endured her mocking with a half smile on his face while his thoughts were elsewhere.

Damnit. It all comes back to power and money. Can’t buy more clothing, can't keep leeching off Sia. Can't find mom without both, can't have a life without both.

“So, can I borrow Dolly? There’s something I need to do.”

She nodded, “Sure, no problem. One of the sets of keys is in the cupboard by the fridge. Tank’s full. Oh crap, I just realized you don’t have your license of course. Don’t get pulled over! I probably shouldn't have had you drive earlier.”

He pursed his lips, “I guess that’s probably true, but I’m still glad you did. I enjoyed driving entirely too much. I mean, I wouldn't say ‘better than sex’ or anything, but it was really, really, I don’t know, satisfying, to drive.”

Her expression conflicted, she finally nodded. “I get it. Just don’t get pulled over. I’m pretty sure we don’t want that attention right now.”

“You got it. I’ll be way under the radar.” He went to the kitchen and got the keys and tucked them into his sweatpants pocket.

When he reached the door she sprang to her feet. “Wait, you’re going like that? You’re not going to avoid police attention walking around in full heavily armed larp gear.”

He looked down at himself again. “Oh that’s a good point. Have you got a bag I can borrow as well?”

“Sure, I can—no wait, I mean, that’s still taking it all with you. Where are you going that you need an arsenal?”

“Oh, right, well I thought of something I need to take care of. I think this gear could come in handy. Certainly better safe than sorry.” He set the long guns on the floor next to the couch and unbuckled the plate carrier, then the belt. “You’re right though, way more inconspicuous in the sweats.”

An aspect appeared and handed a bag to Sia before vanishing again. Sia held it, and looked at him. “Will you talk to me? What is this thing you need to do? Why does it require so much hardware?”

“It might not re—” he started’

“You’re not going out to settle the score with Walker are you?”

Raz looked truly shocked at the suggestion. “What? No. Guy’s a genuine prick and I’d never work for him.” He shook his head at the idea. “Doesn’t mean I plan to murder him! Geez, now I’m wondering if I should be offended.”

She looked confused. “Well, what then? What are you planning to do?”

“I’m going back to where they held me prisoner. There’s something I need to do there.”

“What!?” she shrieked in response. “That is a terrible idea! You can’t do that!”

He set the gear down and stood up. “I can’t?”

So now we see who’s side she’s really on. The real question is what to do about it if she’s on his side.

She couldn’t mistake the naked suspicion in his eyes. “No, I mean, it’s such a bad idea! Why would you want to go back there?”

“I just need to. It should be a quick in and out, but I need to see something there.”

That lie isn’t going to come back to bite me or anything.

Concern colored her gaze. “Honey, I need you to level with me. Did they get you hooked on something? Are there drugs back there that you need?”

Well that’s uncomfortably close to the truth.

“No. Not drugs. I just need to go there. Are you going to stop me?”

She twisted her neck until it popped. “I could you know.”

He stepped back and put his back to the wall. “Could what?”

She looked him in the eyes. “Stop you.”

Might not be as easy as you think.

She saw the lines of tension appear in his body and hurried to finish, “Not that I’m going to try. But I don’t think you should go.”

Raz looked at her, and then around the room before finding her gaze again. “Babe, I love you, I care about what you think, but right now we disagree. I need to be very clear about this, I am not asking for your permission to go. I am going, and I’m telling you what I’m doing and where, as a courtesy.”

She took a deep breath and let it out as a sigh. “Ok, give me a minute to get ready. I’m coming with you.”

“You don’t need to do that.” He protested.

“It’s ok, I want to. Let's call it some quality time.” She responded as she pulled out similar gear from the front closet and started putting it on with practiced ease.

“Really, it’s ok. I should probably do this alone.” Raz started loading the gear into the bag.

She buckled on the helmet and looked at him with a deadly serious expression. “Babe, I love you. I care about what you think, but right now we disagree. I need to be very clear about this…” Her expression twitched into a tiny smile for an instant.

Raz laughed, “Ok ok, a taste of my own medicine is fair I guess. I sure don’t mind the company, and it is your van. Let’s go do this.”

They arrived downstairs to find the van running and five other aspects geared up, sitting in the back.

“You’re slightly serious about this then.” he quipped at Sia.

She didn’t return his humor “Honey, I hope I’m wrong, but I’ve seen a lot more places like this than you, and hopefully there’s nothing to worry about. But, maybe we’ll be glad to have all the help I can bring. If we’re lucky, we won’t need any of the specialty gear in the back. If we’re very lucky, we won’t need anything.”

He hopped in the driver seat and pulled into traffic. “Specialty gear? Sounds mysterious.”

She ticked items off on her fingers, her tone still serious. “Armor-piercing, Incendiary and explosive specialty ammo types, some anti-personnel devices, other tools.”

“One more thing,” she spoke up as he pulled up to the first red light. “If we’re going to do this, If we're going to go into battle together, you might as well call me Hex.”

Raz turned and grinned at her. “Going into battle together? That feels a little overdramatic, but either way, it’s good to finally meet you, Hex.”