Session Start: Sat Jan 22 16:29:13 2005 Last time, on Hunters: The team gathered to debrief on the Princess Oak scenario, and rebrief on all the other ongoing crises. And after some duplicity from Lord Darkmoon, discover a new one: Rinada's father wants him out of town on Saturday the 28th. Really, really, really wants him out of town. This has prompted Sakura to push forward the bugging mission at Hitachi-2osen to tonight. Everyone goes to school as usual of course, but after school and an early supper they gather at the Agency to make plans and preparations. [Monday, February 23, 2004 - 1620 local time] [The Blossom Detective Agency] [session start] So... do you think he's going to summon some sort of giant hell beast on Monday to devour Tokyo or something? ... Saturday. Not Monday. ...Oh. * Taki quietly sits in the corner sorta listening to everyone chatter. * Maya shrugs lightly. "Something's going to happen... it really might be something mundane, but even those sorts of things matter in the long run." Maybe Saturday is when HE turns into a giant slavering hellbeast and Cthulhu doesn't come until Monday? * Secretary bustles in with a large cardboard tube under one arm. Gomen! Gomen! * Lord_Darkmoon is rather obviously hiding behind formality, as he's even in full hakama today. The Tessen is folded in his lap, as he sits very stiffly. I bet he's trying to summon the Dragon King! the Dragon King? The printer was running behind, and I couldn't very well tell him that a magical girl meeting should take precedence. remember the Dragon Lord you all helped the Warriors fight? * Leena is dressed rather non-flashy. Her hair is down, free flowing to her waist- and black. She glances up at the Secretary. Well... maybe---it's alright, ma'am---the King's holding off to let other people do his dirty work? * Secretary is in a tight business suit. For once, it doesn't succeed at making her look older, and you wonder if she's really that 16 years that she looks. The King needs his servants to extend his power on earth. * Minami is...there. * Leena rubs her head as Haruko starts, like she has a headache. I imagine it would be easier to... mop up, as it were. Well, there is all that slime... His power is partially bound right now. We need to make sure it doesn't get all free, or else we're just doomed. * Minami is the one who is there. ... wonderful. * Lord_Darkmoon doesn't react. To Haruko's ... idea, to Leena's hair, to the Secretary's "new look"... He just sits quietly, apparently listening. * Secretary shakes a large laminated poster out of the tube, and unrolls it on the conference table. Surprisingly it stays flat. I figured this would help. Our map? Good, good. * Leena eyes Darkmoon's despondentness. "Rinada. Don't make me wake you up." * Maya helps herself to a closer looksee. [see: web map] I am awake, Leena. *quietly, politely, inflectionless* So... this is where we'll be going? Bullshit! You look like a zombie. * Secretary grabs a handful of dry-erase markers from her pocket. You can write on it, and erase later. * Leena glances down at the map for a second, before eyeing Darkmoon more. As long as he's paying attention, don't worry about it. * Minami looks at the markers. "Oh, good." * Taki lurches her way over to the map to look. So... what exactly do we know about the area? Security and all that? You're the one who needs to be here most of all. If you're going to let yourself drown in misery, might as well just toss you to a Ningyo now. WAKE! UP! You're not alone! If I remember from your earlier... incursion, the fence security is tight. It's a double fenceline, with the ground between alarmed. * Minami rolls her eyes and ignores Leena. * Leena grimaces a bit at the mention of fence. * Lord_Darkmoon nods at the Secretary's observations, attentively. The main building also has alarms, but most everything else does not. But there might be an exception if they're expecting further... trouble. * Minami nods. "Especially if they're planning something. Sakura's and Squeegee's sources say that there has been no change in security levels. * Leena eyes Darkmoon, then shakes her head and shifts her attentions to the maps. They could maybe have posted guards without notice. It would still be good to approach the entire area cautiously, yeah. How up to date was that information? Last Friday. ... mmm. Can we approach from the bay? * Leena glances at Kyouko. "You're a good swimmer, do you think you could come in from that direction?" ...mp. I'm the best swimmer here...but we might get into a fight. * Taki remains quiet and just studies the map. Maybe. It doesn't show well on this overhead map, but except for the slips there's a tall breakwater along the shore. * Leena shakes her head. "If we get into a fight, then the mission's screwed anyway." Pretty much... oh. * Maya looks Taki's way. "Did you speak to your roommate?" ... Yeah. Slip 4 is supposed to be empty, by the way. She said she can't. It goes against her orders... ... hm. We'll have to look into that later. * Leena nods to herself. "... well, that settles that." Darkmoon, when did your father speak to you about the tickets? Saturday night. The arrangements for the vacation were made Sunday morning. Early. * Leena taps her map, at the bay, then the fence. ... when are we going to do this tonight? We really should do it as soon as possible. Sakura wants the bugs live by 4 AM. So then something could've changed between Friday and Saturday night... * Leena nods. "We should wait until the staff there gets off. Do they have a night shift?" That's what I was thinking. There's probably some sort of night shift. Active slips are crewed 24 hours. * Leena nods. "Kyo-chan. Pick up some scuba gear, and send you in underwater?" Sounds good. It's really just a matter of figuring out who does what. Taki's pretty much our number one when it comes to stealth, and at night she'd be just about impossible to see. As for Kyouko... hm. * Maya looks at the map again, rubbing her chin. ...but the offices are not, and the warehouses are on one 12-hour shift. The rest of us don't have any clear options. But the breaktide is hard to swim safely with. Can you do it? I could try. ... if you don't think you can... But all in all, that would probably be your best bet, and your most advantageous spot to be if something does go wrong. * Lord_Darkmoon almost looks relieved for a moment. I'd just have to bundle up really well and take it slowly, it gets cold in the bay this time of year ... of course, we've yet to ask Rinada about this. I can get wetsuits within an hour. * Leena looks straight at him. "Know any easy ways in, or know it well?" So we need one in the warehouse and two inside the offices, right? I do not. I've been there only once, with the rest of you. * Minami taps her fingers on her hand and stares absently. Well, Kyou, if you feel you can do it, it's worth a shot. We're going to need every little bit of help we can get to have this done quickly. One in the slip 3 manager's office. Three in the main office. * Leena glances at the Secretary. "wetsuits? ... we could all try it, I suppose. Well, that's an idea if we can't find a better one." Why slip 3? I'm no swimmer... I'd be more of use on my own two feet. My understanding is that a lot of smuggling seems to be going through there. * Lord_Darkmoon inclines his head. * Leena grins a little. "I've got an anchor of my own. Just give me an air supply and I can walk it." So it'll be easier to slip through? * Kyouko giggles. ...it's really deep at parts, Leena. Heh! Seriously, we should be trying to do this light and quick... it might not even require all of us actually being there. It's not easy swimming. It's a dock, not a pool. I think the less of us we put in there, the less chances we have of being caught... We're going to need at least one person on the outside to coordinate. I have to agree. We could be nearby in case something goes wrong, but otherwise... * Leena nods. "Taki and Kyo-chan, then." * Lord_Darkmoon studies the map, eyeing the fence. ... do we have a distraction? Why would we need one? How high are the docks? Might come in handy. The docks are... uh... We really shouldn't need one. It'll be a success if they didn't even know we were there. ... that reminds me. Are the headsets waterproof? I could probably arrange for a distraction should it be needed. * Secretary pulls out a folder, and takes a picture out. ..we'll need waterproofed. * Leena nods. "Okay. Might need a distraction if things go too wrong. Haruko, that's up to you if it's needed." Looks like the docks are about five meters about the waterline here, though I don't know what the tides were. There's got to be some lower docks for small craft, though. The slips probably have a ladder or something. She could go straight into slip 3 while I head to the offices... That works. In and out, no trouble. Hopefully, anyway. If slip 3 is manned, she is likely to be spotted climbing the ladder. Yes, but if slip 4 isn't... * Minami glances at Haruko. "You think Norcliff might be able to help, actually? He might be able to get in ahead of them and watch for unexpected developments. Norcliff is pretty sneaky. And he's already offered to help * Minami nods. "That would definitely be good." That would help... I don't want to get trapped under the docks. Remind me to buy some kinda treat for Norcliff, okay? The bad news is that we don't have really detailed interiors for the main offices. Will do! I remember the layout of the floor with my father's office. And the President's. *nod* And we know the accounting office is on 3. * Leena hrms, looking at the map more. So there'll be some playing by ear. I trust your skills, Taki. ^^ ...the alarms in between the fences must have a minimum size or weight measurement. Otherwise, wharf rats and such would set them off all the time. * Taki nods absent-mindedly, still looking at the map. The gap between fences is about ten meters, all the way around. * Leena hmms. "I could toss people over the fences. Dunno how to get them back, though. So where do we place the transmitters after we plant the bugs? What was it... within forty meters or so, I think. so am I planting the bugs in 3? or in the main building? So does on the roof work? The distraction might be useful to get people out if no one else can think of a better way. Well, correction. I can get them out. I don't know about quietly, though. It should. Make a bunch of noise outside, let them think they successfully stopped it, and then they'll all be happy no one got in, and so might not bother to check stuff. Let me worry about getting out. I was thinking of something like that... was wondering about that, though. No... we really shouldn't let them know anything. Some alert still means they'll still be wary. * Minami nods. Can't think of a good thing to pull off, though. Maybe a drag race on the street near the fence... I don't think anyone here has a driver's license. I like to walk. ^_^; We can make magic fireworks or something. * Lord_Darkmoon taps his mouth thoughtfully with the tessen. * Leena shakes her head. "No, not fireworks." Well, I could--never mind. Look, we don't _need_ a distraction. A distraction is to get out if things get to messy to do it easy. Not to get in. That's easy. We go in. Taki will have no trouble getting both in and out. Kyouko is at the most risk. External distractions are unlikely to do her any good, given the size of the facility and her location therein. Where am I planting the bugs? * Maya smiles. "But trust Taki and Kyouko to do the job. I do." * Lord_Darkmoon looks to Maya to answer Kyouko's question. There's a low building at the west end of slip 3. I'm learning the plant points as you are. * Lord_Darkmoon inclines his head. There's just a few offices in there - you want the largest one. * Leena hmms, and taps the surrounding buildings. Okay. * Leena puts her map on the table, and taps the buildings again. "We can get a scope or binoculars or something and see what we can see from one of the taller buildings." Do they shut the lights off in the offices when no one is there? It might not be much, but we should be able to get a heads up and keep in visual contact. Maybe one of the fancy ones with low light amplification. There is some lighting, especially on the ground floor, but the upper offices are only lit if occupied. Sakura has one pair of low-light binos here somewhere. * Minami scratches the side of her neck. "At least two. Three at the most." Hm. If we get a sea-feeling while we're out there, what should we do? Minami, or Darkmoon, can you do that? I know where we can get more, but it's way on the north side of Chiba and we may not have time. * Minami nods. "I was just about to suggest that." ... sea sense? ... um. I could. It would be easier to ride a wharf rat. The last one was ... glowing. Glowing? It'd probably be better to stay clear of it if we have a choice. Everyone else should be in range, but out of sight. I wonder if there's anything around there that we could go to, or if we'll have to use some sort of vehicle. ... it was a queen-level Ningyo there last time. * Leena hmms, and glances at Darkmoon. "Can you talk to fish, or any animals there? Docks have a lot of birds, so you should be able to keep in sight." That bad? I can only imagine what that feels like... and I really wish we had a van or something similar. I won't be able to fight without anyone noticing, remember. I can get one. I do drive. * Minami nods. * Leena mock-sulks for a moment. "I'm too short to drive." So Darkmoon and I on the roof, Taki, Kyouko and Norcliff inside, and everyone else in the van? Sounds good, Mina. Oh, I do have one other toy that you may like... Hmm? * Secretary flutters over to a cabinet and pulls out a military-style helmet with what looks like a camera strapped to it. Ooooh. * Maya oooohs as well. ...Huh. This can send a video feed back. ...but it wouldn't survive underwater. ... it's probably not waterproof. I hope you like helmet-hair Taki! ... I... guess. ...huh. Why do you need to see what I see? It'd be useful for us if you spot anything particularly incriminating. Picture record. Bah. I suppose. * Maya stops before saying more... and looks Rinada's way before sidling a bit closer to him. "Rin-kun?" * Secretary pulls out a case with the matching receiver. Yes, Maya? How're you holding up? * Leena eyes Maya sidling closer, quirking her mouth. So we'll need a waterproof bag and a wetsuit for me. * Secretary makes notes. I am... able to do my duty. *carefully considered, but quietly polite* * Leena then narrows her eyes at Darkmoon. Then chucks a couch-cushion at him. Taki, do you want anything? * Haruko sighs. Um... * Lord_Darkmoon bats the cushion away with a very swift and violent swipe of the Tessen. His expression is back to its mask before anyone can be sure if that snarl was really there or not. I need a bag to carry all the bugs in. Right... h-hey, Leena, ease up! Hmm. How about a single padded case? Or would a bag work better? Case works. * Maya gives Leena a cross little frown, then shakes her head and pats Rin on the shoulder. Right. ... now I'm worried about you, Rin. There is no need to worry, Leena. Anyone else? Maya-sama? I don't know what it's going to take to get you to ease up, but you're just simmering in place. * Haruko pulls out a notebook and starts writing. * Minami shakes her head. "Leave it, it's his business." No. I'm worried, and I really don't want him there if he's got all this pent-up pressure. * Leena hasn't taken her eyes off of Darkmoon. Now isn't the time to worry about personal problems. * Lord_Darkmoon almost unconsciously clasps Maya's hand on the seat between the two of them, and squeezes gently before letting go. "There is nothing to worry about. I'm fine." Ah... hm. ... You're not the one who's going to have to deal with him, and he doesn't want you to pry, so leave him alone. If he starts acting up I'll let y'all know. * Maya thinks it over. "That should be it... maybe some coffee or something caffeinated, just in case." Caffeine. Right. * Leena clenches her fists, then looks sharply away. "Fine. Whatever." ... * Maya makes little sign of having noticed said clasp. "So, we're good to go." I need to get going - the rental place we deal with closes at 6. Thank you for all the help. Do you want me to pick you all up here, or do you want to meet at the train station there? * Leena closes her eyes for a moment, then opens them and nods at the Secretary. "Anything else we need to wrap up?" I can walk to the train station... Which would be more convenient? Meet us there... Train station works for me. I believe Maya-sama should make that decision. *nods as Maya does just that* Okay, then. * Leena eyes Darkmoon for a moment, then hops to her feet. "Do you mind if I go with you, Ms Secretary?" Um... * Secretary sweatdrops. "Sakura wanted me to handle procurement contacts alone. If you were willing to hide when I told you to hide, you could. Pleeeeease? *makes big, cute googly eyes* I'm small and lightweight and easy to carry! Yay! ... hoboy. * Maya shakes her head slowly, smirking. Leena... *sighs* All right. * Minami shrugs. * Secretary grabs a coat off the back of her chair, and goes for the door. "Let's go." * Leena waves at the others. "Seeya!" * Leena bounds after the Secretary. Be safe, Leena. * Secretary just shakes her head as she leaves. * Haruko wanders out the door, still writing and only paying enough attention to avoid bumping into things. ... I don't get why everything has to be made more complicated than it has to be... *shakes her head* * Minami stretches. "Damn, I'm tense. I know a cheap massage place near here, anyone up for some quick, inexpensive stress relief?" * Maya looks at Minami oddly. * Minami looks back. "What?" ...Huh? * Lord_Darkmoon shifts to sit cross-legged, and closes his eyes. "I will remain here, for the time being." Just an odd time for a massage, is all. We're not salarymen! * Minami shrugs. "We've got an odd night coming up." * Minami snerks at Kyouko. "Not that kinda place." Well, I'll stay with Rinada. I'll be fine. * Minami shrugs. "Okay, then. See you tonight." * Lord_Darkmoon blushes a bit. Or was that just the lighting? * Minami leaves. "Don't have too much fun, wouldn't want to tire yourselves out." Let's go, then. ... Mina! * Maya takes her turn at the whole blushing thing. I want to listen to the new Laruku more anyway. * Minami turns around before closing the door and winks. What? I thought you liked board games. * Minami winks again and goes. ... hmph. *-_-* * Lord_Darkmoon pats Maya's hand, gently, almost permitting himself to be amused by Mina's banter. * Kyouko giggles and heads out, putting on her headphones. * Taki leaves to perch on top of tall buildings and angst. [later - after dark - a train station north of the shipyard] * Secretary pulls up in a large brown panel van. Everyone could even fit in, maybe. * Taki eyes the ugliness of the van. * Leena waves from the passenger seat, rolling down the window. * Maya is already trying to fit in, opening the side door. She's dressed warmly, in what appears to be a new purple trenchcoat. "How'd everything go?" * Minami doesn't mind the color. Halfway ugly = nondescript. * Lord_Darkmoon looks as composed as ever. And maybe a bit less forced about it. He's in a zipped-up jacket and some blue jeans, now, as he climbs in behind Maya and finds a seat next to her. * LadyNightshade crawls into the van and sits in the back, already transformed and changed. * Haruko rushes up after everyone is already in the van. Sorry I'm late! * Leena looks the same as before, although her hair is done up in two pigtails to either side, and tied together at neck-level. * LadyHeat is wearing her Heat backpack and her swimteam hoodie over two shirts with some warm pants on. Everything's loaded - I left the back seat out, so some of you will have to sit on each other's laps until people disembark. * LadyRoyal is also already transformed, and wearing neat, inconspicuous and easy-to-move-inwear in shades of dark grey and blue. * Haruko is wearing a dark coat thrown over her normal school uniform, it looks fairly average, but warm. * LadyRoyal shakes her head at Haruko. "You're not, really. Don't worry about it." * Haruko looks at the crowded van. "Um... I have to sit on someone's lap?" * LadyNightshade does not sit in someone's lap. She sits with the stuff in the back. * LadyMysteria raises an eyebrow, then scoots on over and hesitates. "Um... hi, Rin." * LadyRoyal does like Taki. Kyouko... do you want to swim in from the north or the south? Uhm...you can sit in mine, I guess... Are you sure I won't be a bother? * Lord_Darkmoon is quite glad for the relative darkness, which hopefully hides the...color...in his face. "M-my Lady." He sits in a way that leaves his lap available. Whichever is closest. I'll be best that way. * Leena looks behind at all the suckers who didn't get the front. "Uh... someone can share with me." No, it's fine Haruko... Do you uh... want some water? Were you going for the docks or slip 4? Leave the Lady stuff for serious events. This is only until Heat unloads. Slip 4 would be closer. Um. Thanks, I am a bit thirsty. Just reach into the backpack, there's a few. * Lord_Darkmoon 's voice is...quieter, more nervous. "Maya-chan..." * LadyMysteria proceeds to, well, sit. She, too, is vaguely thankful. "Anything come up, miss Secretary?" Slip 4 it is, then. * Haruko grabs a bottle of water from the backpack before sitting down as gently as possible. * Leena narrows her eyes at Maya, then quickly shoves herself back into a proper position in the chair. No. Okay... Hmph. * Lord_Darkmoon puts an arm around Maya. To support her, honest. * Secretary waits for the van door to close, then pulls out. Right. * LadyRoyal looks at Taki. "You got everything?" Yeah... * LadyHeat would listen to Laruku... but she already transformed it away. The van heads south on the road a block west of the fenceline. Good. * LadyRoyal shuffles cards quietly, staring at the back of the van. * Leena stares out the window, quietly. * LadyMysteria does look Leena's way for a moment, then shakes her head and whips out the old rings for a bit of tension-relief. * LadyHeat gulps a bottle of water down. * Lord_Darkmoon watches the rings with rapt attention. They're fascinating. * Haruko sips from the bottle herself. Even in the thin evening traffic, it's ten minutes before the van pulls around to the shoreline. The docks here are deserted, and the warehouses behind then are marked "for lease". ... as you can see, there's a small gap in this ring. What you're supposed to do is to manipulate them so that they never see the gap. Like so. * LadyRoyal leans forward to see the rings trick--er, that is, the surroundings from the window. "Hm." That looks hard. * LadyMysteria gives it a go to demonstrate. "I can pull it off only, like, five times out of ten for some reason. Don't know why." Okay... You're letting yourself get psyched out, I bet. The wetsuit is in the back, Kyouko. Maybe... Okay, where should I er... change? * Secretary shrugs. "Wherever." Um... I don't think she can change with me on top of her... * LadyRoyal shrugs. "Taki and I won't look." * Lord_Darkmoon is now more watching Mysteria than the rings. Unless it seems she's looking back at him. Well, she'll have to get out of the van, duh. Want me to make you some privacy curtains? okay then...uhm...can you get up and can someone pass me the suit? * Leena mumbles something into the window. That would be good Haruko... * LadyRoyal finds and passes it up. It's almost a kilometer from here to slip four. It'll be the second one you come to. * LadyMysteria isn't. She's actually trying to practice, apparently used to the whole lap thing by now. "Okay..." * LadyHeat takes the wetsuit and climbs out of the van to go change. * Haruko gets outside and busies herself creating some stands and curtains. They look kind of insubstantial, but do a good job of blocking the view of any passing pervert. ( Haruko transforms in the van before doing this ) * LadyHeat quickly changes into the wetsuit and puts her clothes in the van. * LadyNightshade crawls out of the van while everyone messes around. * LadyNightshade idly looks towards the shipyard. Okay, so I guess I need the bag and the pugs and everything now... * LadyHeat pulls out a few waterbottles to take with her. * LadyRoyal systematically passes said objects out. You're seeing it from the south side, here. Most of what's visible is the construction in slip 5, where two giant sea platforms are being assembled, and a third one started in the secondary drydock behind it. You know... I sometimes wonder where the Ningyo live. Do they have some undersea lair, or is there some... place Elsewhere that they can go to? like Atlantis? You know, I've wondered that about the Agency myself sometimes. * LadyRoyal blinks. "What d'you mean?" If we knew... maybe we could take the fight to them. *shakes his head* But that's neither here nor there. Whether you could walk/swim there, or whether its a magical other place. * LadyRoyal nods. "Besides, it'd be a logistical mess." Well, Atlantis is a lost continent. One day, Rin-kin. One day. Atlantis, huh...? Lost, eh? That'd be difficult to do. * Secretary drums her hands on the steering wheel impatiently. * LadyNightshade looks in the van. "Are we ready to go yet?" ... but in any case, it looks like we're here. Where's the receiver? In the bag. and this headset is waterproof, right? * LadyHeat takes the receiver out. "This?" No, leave it IN the bag until you get there. Yes, that's the transmitter. * LadyNightshade crawls back in. "Let's go." * LadyHeat puts the receiver back in and puts the headset on. * LadyRoyal nods. "Good luck, Kyouko." I guess I'm going now... * Leena flips her own headset on. Good luck, Heat-san. Good luck, and may god be with you. Take care, Kyouko. * LadyHeat puts the rest of her equipment on, and heads out to wade into the ocean. "I will!" * Lord_Darkmoon smiles encouragingly at Kyouko, but doesn't say anything. Okay. * LadyMysteria pauses for a moment, then finally scoots off and over as Kyouko disembarks. "Loud and clear." * LadyHeat wades deeper and then goes under and swims towards her target with practiced skill and ease. Go Heat! * Leena waves as she departs, grateful for the distraction. * Lord_Darkmoon shifts a bit, helping Lady Mysteria move. And settling himself more comfortably now that he doesn't have someone sharing quite so much of his personal space. * Secretary pulls away slowly, not turning on the van's lights until you're at the main road. * LadyMysteria settles, then returns to the rings. Okay, Taki, your turn. * Leena returns to staring out the window. Right... Where do you want to do this from? * Secretary drives up the fenceline road this time. * LadyRoyal turns to Haruko. "Best get Norcliff started as well, come to think of it." Hmm... Let's find a quiet place along the fenceline and Leena can boost me over both at once. * Leena eyes the fence. "... yeah." * LadyNightshade looks at Leena. "If you think you can." * Secretary looks up the road. Don't toss her too hard, now. Easy. * Lady_MakeBelieve coerces Norcliff out of her purse * LadyHeat swimmity swim swim swims. Now Norcliff, send a message to Darkmoon if anything bad happens. * Leena takes off her headset, and transforms in the seat. Up nearer the warehouses looks less well-lit, and they're off-shift right now, too. That works for me. And please keep an eye out for people and lights in the building, as well as any signs of trouble in the water if you can. * LadyMallet puts the headsets back on under her now-blond-again hair. So's we know if something happens to Kyouko. I will. Definitely will... just be careful and stay out of sight. Mmmmn, I wish I could do more... ...I will see if I can find a fish to follow her while she swims. * LadyMallet holds up some of her hair, and quirks her mouth. "... I'm gonna have to die my hair in this form, too. Maybe over the weekend." * LadyRoyal nods at Rin. "That'd be good." ... Oh you were talking to the... it. * Lady_MakeBelieve glares at Taki Well, you do it as well. Doesn't hurt. * LadyNightshade give Makebelieve a look that says "... what?" * LadyHeat is glad she's really, REALLY good at this. Swimswimswimswim. * Lord_Darkmoon nods at Royal, and looks to Mysteria with a quiet supportive smile, before leaning back in his seat. His irises and pupils turn to glowing purple moons. Got it Boss! * Norcliff also glares at Taki * LadyNightshade doesn't acknowledge the rat. * Secretary silently drives past three gates, then pulls west onto the next road before parking the van. * LadyMysteria takes a moment to look at Rin's eyes, then focuses on the group. "Mmmn..." The helmet and your case are in the back. * LadyMallet NOW opens the door, and hops out. She calls into the van, "Anytime you're ready!" * Lord_Darkmoon does not seem to see Mysteria's examination. Or really aware of his surroundings. * LadyMallet holds up a hand, catching the Mallet as it appears and falls. * LadyNightshade crawls out and opens up the back. * LadyRoyal passes Taki her stuff. * LadyNightshade eyes the helmet for a long moment. * LadyNightshade puts it on and takes her case. * LadyNightshade turns on the camera to test it. "It working?" If no one needs me to stick around, I'm going to get a head start and get into position. * LadyRoyal nods. "Good luck, Norcliff." Stay safe. Seeya, Norcliff. I will, and thanks everyone. Ganbate, Norcliff! Yeah. * LadyMallet pumps her free fist enthusiastically. * Secretary comes around and opens up the monitor case. When she turns it on, she gets a closeup view of Lady Royal's face. * LadyNightshade looks at the video display. * LadyRoyal looks at herself and wipes off a smudge of dirt on her cheek. The vid shows itself. Eerie. Well, at least it's working. Everything working righ---ah, good. * Norcliff scampers off, slowing only briefly to wriggle through the fences before disappearing into the building. * Lord_Darkmoon 's face tenses up a bit with concentration. * LadyHeat keeps swimming, occasionally waving to a passing fish. Hey, look at me, look at me! Leena, this isn't a toy. * LadyMallet poses cutely for the camera. Okay, let's go. * Secretary puts in a videocassette. You look very nice Leena. * LadyMysteria rolls her eyes and chuckles. "Some things never change." You need me to get a running start and you boost me or what? Actually, you hop on the Mallet, since it's got better footing, and I catapult you in. ... Alright. I could throw you, but I think you want to land on your feet. ^_^; I can land on my feet. * LadyMallet shifts the Mallets position, to where one of the flat heads is facing up, like a platform. * LadyRoyal peers around. "This building looks all right. Darkmoon, you coming?" * LadyNightshade gets on the Mallet hesitantly. You ever done anything like this before? No, not really. Great. * LadyMallet giggles. "It'll be fine!" * LadyNightshade goes invisible. Okay, ready. Good luck, Nightshade. Three! Two! One! Take care... * Secretary watches from the monitor. Why are yell-- * LadyMysteria clasps her hands together, almost as if in prayer. * Lord_Darkmoon blinks, and rubs his forehead as his eyes return to normal. "Too far. I can't find her." LAAAAAAUNCH! *she swings up, arcing the angle of the flatness forward.* ...wow. Leena, you could make money selling that as a ride. * LadyNightshade suppresses her urge to eek as she is flung into the air. * LadyMallet ponders that thought. "Um. Well, I'd have to get some practice in so most people could survive it." * LadyMysteria angles in to watch the screen as well, occasionally looking Rin's way. * Lord_Darkmoon looks at Lady Royal, finally seeming to have returned to his senses. "What did you ask before?" Are you coming? * LadyRoyal points to the building. "That looks like a good place." * LadyHeat swims more. Still. * LadyNightshade lands gracefully on the other side of the second fence on a road. She's down safe. * LadyMallet tosses the Mallet back into nothingness, and dusts off her hands. * LadyRoyal keeps an eye on the monitor while she talks, and lets out a half- breath of relief as she makes it. It's all her and Kyo-chan, now. * LadyRoyal mutters into the headset. "You good, Taki?" Oh. Yes, let's go. Sorry. * LadyMallet pipes into the headsets, "Have fun?" The rest of us should get back in the van to watch. I'm fine. Good. It was... an experience. * LadyRoyal nods at Darkmoon. "Yes, let's." * LadyMallet giggles. "The Secretary thinks I should start charging for that as a ride." I can stick with the Secretary, just in case. * LadyRoyal grabs whatever stuff necessary and there, and heads out towards the back of the building. * Lord_Darkmoon climbs out of the van, smiling at Maya as he passes her. He follows Royal to the building. * LadyNightshade makes her way towards the offices, sticking to the shadows and keeping track of patrols. Taki finds Norcliff just catching up to her. * LadyMallet heads back into the van, and starts a watchin' the monitor. * LadyRoyal finds the fire escapes and starts climbing 'em to the top. Where are you going first, I'll keep an eye out for you? * Lord_Darkmoon dutifully follows along behind. * LadyMysteria smiles back, then takes up the task of Secretary-sitting. * LadyHeat is starting to tire some, but keeps swimming x.x * Secretary closes up the van, then rolls around a block to a different parking space. Is there anything I should be doing unless we need a distraction? Now we're just waiting on Kyo-chan. Minami, how're you doing? Taki finds herself in much the same place as she was after hopping the fence for the first time. * Norcliff messages Darkmoon. Ask Taki where she's going first so I can cover for her. Well, if you could conjure up another pair of binoculars, or something... * LadyRoyal mutters as she climbs, a little out of breath. "Almost there." Nothing directly, though. * LadyNightshade checks the side of the building for a ladder she can make her way up to the rooftop with. It's all them, now. * LadyMallet shrugs helplessly. * LadyHeat manages to somehow ._. underwater. Yeah, we... wait. I guess we could pray... Taki is still not close enough to really see the building around the warehouses. * LadyRoyal reaches the roof and looks around. * Lord_Darkmoon is right behind her. Some gentleman he is, letting her carry stuff. * LadyNightshade keeps moving as quick as she can to check the place out. There's not really anything on the roof here, just some trash and bird- doo. I can probably make normal binoculars, but not those fancy night vision ones. * Lady_MakeBelieve offers a pair of normal binoculars to Mallet anyway. * LadyRoyal makes for the side of the building closest to the place and hunkers down. * LadyMallet waves them away. "Thanks, but we don't have a good line of sight." * LadyMysteria keeps an eye on the 'Taki-cam', looking quite nervous. She can see almost all of the lot from here - even the main building is visible over the warehouses. Slip 1 is lit and very busy. So are slips 2 and 5. * Lady_MakeBelieve shrugs and pulls out a pencil and notebook. * LadyRoyal whispers said information to headset. Taki, Norcliff wants to know where you're going first, so he can cover for you. Slip 3 seems to have some people around it, but no ships are in it. I'm heading to the office. Going to go in from the roof. Slip 4 is dark, and almost invisible. * LadyRoyal passes those tidbits on as well... "--and Slip 4's dark, I can barely see it. Which is good, but...can't help being a little nervous about that, considering the rest of the place." Taki darts from warehouse to warehouse, eventually winding up at the paved flat area around the main building. It is heavily shadowed, but not entirely unlit. * Lord_Darkmoon 's eyes blaze purple for a moment, and an answering glow appears in Norcliff's as Darkmoon relays that Taki is heading for the office, heading in from the roof. He relinquishes control quickly, so as not to interfere with Norcliff's navigation. * LadyRoyal waits for Darkmoon's eyes to go back to normal. "Darkmoon, you might wanna watch the roads so's we don't get surprised. " Norcliff, on the other hand, just lopes along, not needing cover. It's a lot of loping, though, since the building is nearly a kilometer from the fence. * LadyNightshade keeps her distance from the light till she figures out which side is the best way to approach the building. Her eyes search for any camera or alarms that might be around as well. Right. *turns his attention to the aforementioned roads* I wish I could reach farther. I would like to be watching Lady Heat's back. *absently talking to the night air* * LadyHeat takes a moment to surface and check where she is. (Err. that was a /me) Couldn't find a fish? Taki can see obvious cameras pointing at the entrances to the building, but nothing looking out and away in her direction. (The north side.) * LadyRoyal keeps her voice down. Too far. I'm sure she'll be fine. I can only reach as far as those birds on the edge of Slip 2. Ah. * LadyNightshade looks for a ladder so she can make her way to the rooftop. ...can they see what's going on? Kyouko surfaces in the dark, just to the north of what must be slip 5. She can see the dark, unattended slip 4 about 200 meters ahead. No better than you can, with the binoculars. Damn. If I fly them closer, I lose them. Oh well. * LadyHeat notes her position, then goes back under and keeps swimming. Any sign of Heat yet? * LadyMysteria whips the rings back out and works with 'em. "I was about to ask the same thing..." No--but then again, in this light we probably couldn't see her, and all things considered, that's for the best. We'll just have to wait until she can get the headset on. Taki eventually picks out a ladder built into the north wall of the offices. It's a long dash through the open, but the ladder is in shadow, and she can't see anyone around. * LadyMallet nods, a useless gesture over the headsets. "Just gotta wait on her, then." The toughest part... ... Can the... Norcliff make it up the ladder? Or do I have to... carry him? Yup. * Lord_Darkmoon 's eyes blaze as he relays the question to Norcliff. There's a convoy coming through the north gate. Keep your wits about you, Taki. * Norcliff lets Darkmoon know he'd appreciate a lift up. And Norcliff would appreciate a lift up. Great. * LadyNightshade whispers out. "Norcliff, come here..." * LadyHeat surfaces and checks her position again. * LadyMysteria smiles a little for some reason. * Norcliff moves over in the direction of the voice, not really sure where Taki is. * Lord_Darkmoon checks the roads some more, and then turns his binoculars on the convoy again, checking its progress and destination. ... you know, this is really boring when you don't have any part in what happens. * LadyMallet sighs. * LadyNightshade picks up the rat not so carefully and puts it in front of her invisible face. "Don't put your little claws into my coat." * Lady_MakeBelieve looks up from writing. You should take up a hobby. Kyouko has now swum just *past* the front of slip 4. It gapes at her like a huge mouth, and she can't see al the way to the back end. Then make sure I don't fall off. My hobby is gymnastics. Er... a more sedate hobby. Well, and the arcade. Boring is better than life-threatening, Leena. * LadyNightshade puts him into her pocket hardly waiting to hear his response. Collecting dolls for my room... Um. Not hobbies I can use here, really. * LadyNightshade brushes off her hand and represses a shudder. * LadyNightshade avoids the light as best she can as she dashes over to the ladder. No alarms sound! * LadyHeat heads into Slip 4 carefully until she's on dry land and puts the radio on. "I'm at Slip 4." * LadyMallet breathes out loudly. "Heat! Thank god!" Alright! Good so far, Heat. It took a while. It's completely dark here, so it'll take a minute to get out. How's the rest of the place? Excellent. I apologize, Heat; I wasn't able to follow you. * LadyNightshade looks up at the ladder now that she's closer to it and inspects it for anything that might become annoying later. Like an alarm. Good work Heat! The convoy's stopped. By slip 1. ...no one's getting in or out. Everyone else is good. Ask Royal for an update on where stuff is. There was something about a conv- that. Of the vehicles, I mean. Convoy? Hm. * LadyMysteria frowns. "I wonder what's in there." * LadyRoyal mentions where stuff is. "Glad you got in fine." So where am I going? Don't convoys normally have an exchange of people and things when they stop? Weird... ...Darkmoon, can you get a closer view of those vehicles? Or is it too far to reach? * LadyRoyal tells Heat which way to go. * LadyNightshade makes her way up the ladder as quickly, quietly and carefully as she can. * LadyHeat heads the way she is told, carefully navigating the cavernous Slip. Some motion from truck cabs to other vehicles... Is anything in them? Kyouko eventually finds a staircase on the north side of the slip. I can't tell...they don't seem to be unloading anything. At least not yet. * LadyNightshade reaches the top and pulls the rat out of her pocket and sets him on the rooftop. "Look around for anything that might be trouble for me." Okay, I'm heading up the north staircase. * LadyNightshade adds almost as an afterthought, "... Please." ...you're sure you can't find any animals close enough to take a look? ...let me try something. It might be close enough. *eyes blaze purple again as he seeks a bird or rat or something near the convoy* * LadyNightshade scans the rooftop for more cameras or alarms before she slips onto it. * LadyMysteria sighs a little. "Why do I have this feeling what's in there has something to do with what we're not supposed to be here to see?" * Norcliff whispers to Taki "I see some cameras over there." I think it's a good thing, actually. Maybe it will help us get ahead somehow. * LadyNightshade looks over where Norcliff indicates. True. We won't know until we know, though... * Lord_Darkmoon finds a bird, and flies it down to land on one of the trucks. Carefully avoiding any people, and not letting them get a good look at the bird's glowing eyes. Yeah. Taki sees the cameras, but the roof is mostly in shadows. * LadyNightshade slips onto the top, staying in the shadows. * LadyHeat looks around as she climbs the staircase * LadyNightshade looks for the rooftop access door. As Kyouko reaches the top, she immediately sees activity around slip 3 - there are men loading vehicles. There's people all around slip 3 loading vehicles... I'm not sure I can safely get by... ... damn. Can you at least see what they're loading? The roof access door is the one decently-lit place on the roof, and there's a camera pointing straight at it. * LadyHeat tries to see if she can check out the things being loaded. While you do that, lemme see if I can spot you a path. Argh. What's the problem, Taki? * LadyRoyal peers and peers and peers. I take it from the 'Argh' that camera's can see you? Camera at the rooftop door. ...ah. Argh, indeed. Darkmoon. Do you think you could get some birds to block the camera and the light long enough for me to slip into the door? * Lord_Darkmoon 's eyes eventually stop their glowing. "Boxes. And they were speaking English. 'You ess', and then a short word I couldn't make out." * LadyRoyal blinks. "Well, crap. I suck at English. Could you tell if they were native speakers, I guess?" * LadyMysteria hrms. "Damn. I wish I could have heard it... I might've caught it." Could you repeat what they were saying? I speak English. I think so. * LadyRoyal continues peering. "We've got about a dozen men loading stuff...ah, there she is. Okay..." Nothing interesting is being loaded that I can tell.. ...I can...try... Or mind link it to Norcliff? He does too. I could probably take care of the camera. I've never been able to link to more than one at a time... let me see if I can help Nightshade, first. *turns his eyes purple once more, trying to get a bird over to Taki's camera. And land on it. Heavily. *\ Any ideas for how I could sneak past? I couldn't pass off the steam as fog... MakeBelieve, the letters were... *repeats the carefully, spelling out a word with moderately good pronunciation of each letter* Kyouko, there's some stacks of construction material you can sort of hide behind to the...west a bit. .... Thais not good. Okay... * LadyHeat looks around for them Or, you could probably go back to Slip 4 and go to the end of it. It's Navy. A branch of US Military. Make-Believe? ---no, that's probably not good. ...shit. US mil is involved in this? Taki... I. can't. move. the ...camera with...bird's weight. Should... I try blocking it with...a dropping? * LadyRoyal snickers evilly. * Lord_Darkmoon waits for Taki's decision, since it's her stealth-show. * LadyRoyal keeps watching Kyouko. * LadyHeat decides to make a break for the stacks when the navy men aren't paying attention. Kyouko, watch out! There's someone coming in your direction. * LadyHeat attempts to move quickly enough she isn't caught. He's about fifty meters away, but he's gonna be able to see you pretty soon. Ta...ki? * LadyMysteria starts to bite her bottom lip and fidget. Kyouko darts in between stacks of sheet metal as the man rounds the corner. He stalks over to a forklift and starts it up. * LadyRoyal watches as best she can, worried. Okay, where next? It looks like you've got a pretty clear path through the stacks to your target... Go west through them. okay... * LadyHeat follows Royal's directions Taki looks around the roof as she waits for Darkmoon's bird to do something about the camera, and notices some repair equipment piled by the sea side of the roof. A huge pane of glass is sitting in a wooden frame nearby. ... Are one of the windows missing in the building, Mina? * LadyNightshade goes to look around for where the glass might belong. ...not on any side I can see. Taki looks over the edge on the sea side of the building, and finds that a huge section of window on the top floor is being covered by plastic sheeting, and the glass underneath is missing. Well that's convenient. Hm? Oh? The sheeting is even more conveniently taped in place. ... no kidding. Very convenient. * Secretary smiles faintly at Leena. * LadyMallet grins from ear to ear. Can. I. Let. the. Bird. Go. now? Well, what do you know? Yeah, looks like we don't need it. Guys, what's going on? I need my second pair of eyes to check the convoy again.. Ah, okay. Darkmoon, any updates on the convoy front? * Lord_Darkmoon blinks, and sighs with relief of tension. Then looks through his binoculars at the convoy. * Norcliff jumps down from Taki's shoulders, and glides down to the plastic sheeting, leaving neat tiny holes as he climbs around it. In about half a minute he has nipped enough of the securing tape to leave a hole Taki can fit through. No movement. Lights on in the custom trailers. Going to try to peer inside... *grabs that poor bird again* All right. Kyouko comes to the end of the seemingly endless stacks of metal, and finds herself looking at a low, concrete block building, which has to be her target. Be careful... okay, I'm at the target, I think. Will. do... Okay.. There's a door almost directly facing her, and some lights on inside. There's lights inside, I'll be careful. Good. Good luck... * LadyMallet crosses her fingers. * LadyHeat carefully heads up and opens the door, hoping no alarms go off. I don't see anyone moving around near that building, if that helps... The door is unlocked, and she finds herself in a pleasantly-heated lobby. There's a (vacant) secretary's desk on the right, and a single corridor heading to the back. Okay, I'm inside, in the lobby. Where am I going? It'll be the back office. okay, I guess it's right ahead... There is indeed a door at the end of the corridor. * LadyHeat heads down the corridor, being careful to be quiet. The door is closed, but there is light coming from the crack underneath. * LadyHeat speaks in a low voice as she listens against the door. "The light is on inside the office... someone might be inside..." She doesn't hear anything... Careful, Heat. * LadyHeat readies a waterbottle just in case and slowly turns the knob. The knob turns, unlocked... * LadyHeat opens the door carefully and steps inside. * Manager looks up from the desk, where he's writing something in a large ledger. ...who are you? * Manager eyes her wetsuit and bag. ...! Uhm... I'm here from the ... Navy. You're awfully early - the ship doesn't get here until the end of the week. * LadyRoyal realizes what Kyouko saying stuff like that has to mean and swears vehemently under her breath. * LadyMysteria grits her teeth and readies her wand. "Not good." And you're on the wrong end of the campus. We're going to be needing that distraction, aren't we? Oh...sorry. I was told to head here from slip 3. Huh...? * LadyRoyal grits her teeth and waits tensely. Walk in. Plant the bug. Leave. * Manager scratches his balding head. "Someone told you wrong." You want slip 1. Don't have a conversation with him... * LadyRoyal holds her breath. Thank you very much.. *bows quickly and leaves* Plant the bug. * LadyHeat closes the door gently behind her Unless you want it on the bottom of the door, it's too late. The manager was there... * LadyHeat says this quietly as she heads out. Bottom of the door is better than nothing...glad you got out, though. Okay... Mmmmn. Would it be too much for Taki to double back? * Manager can barely be heard through the door. It sounds like he's placing a phone call. Walk up to his desk. Slip it under the edge. Ask him where you're supposed to go. Because you're new. He told me where to go! It's too late, I think. Shh, shh. wait... he's saying something... * LadyHeat goes quiet and tries to listen. Get out of sight before you start listening in. If you can't place it, Kyou, we just might need to have Taki come back and plant her spare. I'm going to plant the bug then hide or leave... Right. ... Hide somewhere. Maybe he'll leave. ...he seems like he'll be there a while... Can you pretend you don't know which way slip 1 is? Just go ahead and get in and get out. Darkmoon, no. She shouldn't risk any more conversation than necessary. I don't want to wait longer... That's what I was saying. Plant it and go. * LadyHeat fumbles with the bag and the bug and crouches by the door, trying to stick it on the bottom of the door. Sorry. The door opens, banging Kyouko's hand and head. ...fuck! Ow! * LadyHeat makes like she's looking for something. You dropped your pen. Ah... I think my contact popped out! What on earth are you still doing here/ ...oh! It's around here somewhere...I'll find it... * Manager crouches, or tries to around his huge belly. * LadyRoyal holds her breath again. Where? * LadyHeat squints in her right eye as she fumbles around on the floor. Just get into the office and stick it somewhere... I think it might have fallen inside your office...I'm so sorry, sir... Do you mind if I look for it? I think I know where it is... * Manager backs up to let Kyouko in... or is he looking at her wetsuited ass? Go ahead, go ahead... Thank you! * LadyHeat bows. * LadyHeat goes in and sticks the transmitter-bug-thing somewhere it isn't visible as she walks to where she "lost her contact" *muttered* Geez. Those stupid gaijin couldn't even pass along simple directions. I don't think they know our language too well... Oh, well. * Manager putters into the room, still eyeing the girl. * LadyHeat sticks the bug on the bottom of a chair then mimes putting a contact in with her back to him. I found it, thank you sir! * LadyHeat quickly excuses herself, waving. "Thank you for the directions!" * Manager half-smiles. "Just head north on the main road, you'll see the parking lot where they are. I will... * Manager shuts the door behind her, shaking his head. Is anyone outside? * Secretary lets out a long sigh of relief. ... got it? Yes...thank god. No, I think you're clear. In fact, there's a few that've driven away. Good work. * LadyHeat heads out and heads back to the water as quickly as possible. * LadyNightshade massages her temple before she flips around the edge of the roof, landing gracefully on the other side of the opening in the plastic Norcliff made for her. Are we going out this way? Get gone, Kyou. * LadyNightshade sets about putting the window back together as best she can in case someone comes by. She comes to her feet in the show-office on the top floor. The rope flaps in the hole in the plastic. I am, I'm heading back to the water. ..wait, where should I put the receiver? Where are you coming out? Of the water, I mean? Within 40 meters of the bug, Lady Heat. I'll try to head back to where I came in, but it might be hard in the dark... okay, so should I plant it out here? Just near the building... * LadyHeat goes and finds some place to plant it, her heart still pounding >< * LadyMysteria looks about as tense (still) as Kyouko feels. "You handled yourself well, Heat..." * Lord_Darkmoon 's eyes darken to their normal color again. "Nothing useful. Frosted windows." He goes back to watching things through the binoculars. It gives him less of a headache. Nice save. * LadyNightshade looks around for anyone that might still be on this floor before she starts moving. Damn. Oh well. The low office building is a little grimy and unkempt. There are somewhat anemic bushes around it, and some planters. The back of it has a dumpster. The construction materials are also close enough... assuming they won't be touched. Would it be visible? * LadyHeat goes and sticks it on the underside of the dumpster. * LadyHeat heads out back towards the darkened Slip 4 The top floor of the main building is dimly lit by the exit signs. The showcases are hard to see in the dimness, and Taki weaves around them to the offices. Looks around for the two offices that are her targets, keeping an eye out for cameras and such. There really is only one room other than the large display room on this floor, and it has one door. Psst, someone's coming up the elevator. * LadyNightshade moves out of the way and watches the elevator. * LadyNightshade looks around to where she can stay out of the light if they came on. Both of them can hear the elevator stop on the next floor down, and something clank over the metal tracks for the door. There's not really anywhere to hide, here - the showcases are all glass, and it's one large open room other than the office and the elevator. * Norcliff scampers up Taki and jumps to the ceiling, moving quickly to an out of the way corner. * LadyNightshade moves to the office door while the elevator stops on the floor below. She listens for any sounds from within before she tries to open it. The door is unlocked, and she finds herself in a smallish, but very expensive-looking office. Wood paneling, solid hardwood desk, very comfy executive chair, new NEC computer and 21" LCD... There's another door, as well. * LadyMysteria watches on in half-silence, still tense and looking ready to pop. * Norcliff stays outside, keeping open ears and eyes for anyone coming. * LadyNightshade shuts the door behind her incase the elevator moves more. * LadyNightshade checks the desk for any indication of who it belongs to. There's virtually nothing in the desk. The impression in the seat of the chair is that of someone not-skinny... Is this one of the ones we want? Taki, what's your status? There's only supposed to be two desks on that floor and we want both. I'm in the office area. Roger. Right. Planting one of the devices then. Keep your eyes open, Taki... * LadyNightshade reaches down under the desk and finds a spot to stick it and sticks it. I am. * LadyNightshade looks around again before moving the other door in the room. She listens again for any sign of life on the other side. It's dead quiet up here - just her own breathing. * LadyNightshade carefully opens the door, sliding it a crack open so she can peek around inside. This door, though, does not open. The knob doesn't even turn. It's locked. Gimme a second to open it. Check for an alarm... * LadyNightshade looks around for any signs of an alarm on the door. Nothing at all - it's just a door, albeit a very nice wooden one. Taki slips her picks into the lock... and it's instantly open. * LadyNightshade carefully opens the door, checking for any sort of security measures as she does so. Taki finds herself in... an office? * LadyNightshade moves inside, taking the place in. It's a strange one. In one corner, by a door leading to a small balcony, is a small jacuzzi. It is currently dry, but spotless. Nice. * LadyNightshade looks for a spot to plant the bug. There's a desk - with no computer - in one corner, but the rest of the room has more the feel of a living room. There are rich-looking cushions spread in the center of the room, and the floor is covered in the finest of tatami. Bookshelves cover the wall opposite the window, and near the far wall is a western-style easy chair. As Taki moves by it, the jacuzzi seems to radiate just a residue of sea magic. ... Ew. Smells of sea magic. What does? The hot tub. ...Figures. ...hmm. Oh, grand. We should report that when we get back. Sea magic doesn't just show up on its own. * LadyNightshade plants the bug on the top of one of the bookshelves. Honestly, it does not surprise me. I'm betting that's where a certain crowned fish sits for formal meetings. * LadyMysteria grits her teeth. "Just... why? We'll know one day, but... I wish I knew now." Anything from the elevator, Norcliff? * Lord_Darkmoon blinks, and then remembers he has to relay that question. And does so. * LadyNightshade looks through the bookshelves while she's in there out of curiosity. Nothing yet. Norcliff says "Nothing yet," Taki. Roger. There are books about ships, books about sea legends, and a fair amount of modern fantasy. Anything else you want me to check out while I'm in here, Maya or should I head down? Just remember to lock up behind you. The sooner you're gone the better. Pull out and cover your tracks, yes. Of course. * LadyNightshade heads back out the door, closing it and locking it behind her. Where are you setting the transceiver? Either in the vents or on the roof. Right. * LadyNightshade looks around for where the AC/heating vents are. There are vent panels mixed with the other drop-ceiling panels. Hmm... I can just stick them under a ceiling tile. Yeah, by the time they're found, it won't matter probably. * LadyNightshade moves onto the desk and lifts a tile up carefully. The tile, once enough force is exerted on it, pops upward out of place. * LadyNightshade sets the two transceivers inside and moves the tile back into place. The tile doesn't want to settle back into where it was before. Oh great. What's wrong? Taki? * LadyNightshade tries to get the tile to resettle as best she can. It's not going back down... It seems to her like only one side will nicely settle at a time. ...would it get better if you put the transceivers somewhere else? It's not them. Stupid tiles just don't want to fit. ...well, damn. Hm. You need to exert force on the other side of it, somehow. ...or make the opening a bit bigger for just a moment. * LadyNightshade looks at the metal frame for something she could maybe bend out of the way and let the tile fit where it's supposed to. The metal separators do flex somewhat... Think if I got Norcliff up there he could push it down? ...could he get back out? There must be a vent or something he could crawl back out of. He could probably nibble it down to size if nothing else. from the top where it wouldn't be noticeable. Hmm... I could let him out by the broken window and they probably won't notice with the construction going on that one tile was bumped... Hope so. Er, hope not, I guess. ...that could work. It would certainly be far away from the transceivers. They'd look, and find nothing. * LadyNightshade looks around for the little critter. * Lord_Darkmoon lets his eyes glow, and tells Norcliff that Taki needs his help. * Norcliff scampers inside the room. Lift me up there. * LadyNightshade scoops up the rat and deposits him inside the ceiling area before positioning the tile back in place. * Norcliff nudges the tile roughly into position, then jumps up and down onto it until it settles. Fibrous dust flies up as the edges of the panel crumble slightly, irritating Norcliff's nose. The panel, however, is perfectly in place. * Norcliff sneezes, then looks around for a place to get out. Can he get out? The drop ceiling is a solid grid ahead of the wee beastie. He can squeeze through to the adjacent room, but even there there's no passage out. * LadyNightshade steps down off the desk, cleaning up and dust or foot prints she might have made. * Norcliff messages Darkmoon. I can't find a way out. Have Taki lift up a tile in the adjacent room. * LadyNightshade heads out of the office and shuts the door behind her before heading over to the missing window. (The message is passed on quickly.) * LadyNightshade climbs up onto a nearby glass case, careful to not stand directly on the glass and feels around for a looser tile that'd be easier to fit back down. All of them here feel equally loose. * LadyNightshade raises one closest to the window she can reach for Norcliff to get out. * Norcliff wriggles out. * LadyNightshade puts it back as best she can. * Norcliff stays on the ceiling, ready to offer any help tugging it back down that he can. The panel flops easily into place. Well. Here's hoping moved ceiling tile doesn't lead to them thinking they've been bugged. Mm. * LadyNightshade eyes the panel. "Thank you." Your welcome. You too. * Secretary claps her hands. "Okay, just one left." * LadyNightshade heads over to the stairs access, checking for an alarm again. [break session] Session Start: Sat Jan 29 16:18:55 2005 Last time, on Hunters: The team made its little sneak into Hitachi-2osen. So far, no one has been caught, though Lady Heat surely was observed. Wink, wink, nudge nudge... Taki and Norcliff have planted two of the bugs in the main building with only drop-ceiling difficulties, but there's one last one to place, and that's a couple of stories below, where there are people moving about. [session resume] * LadyNightshade looks into the stairwell, making sure they're clear. The stairwell is somewhat lit, enough to make holding her invisibility pretty hard. There are no sounds from the floors below, and it's the echoey sort of concrete stairwell in which you can hear *everything*. * LadyNightshade grumbles and looks at Norcliff. "Well it's either this or we climb down the elevator shaft..." I can go ahead to scout. People don't tend to pay me much attention. * LadyNightshade nods. "Go ahead then." * LadyNightshade creeps down the stairs a flight or so above Norcliff, keeping her senses alert. * Norcliff scampers downstairs, trying to act as much like an ordinary squirrel as possible. The sugar glider makes it down to the target third floor easily. There's nobody in the stairwell. Unfortunately, there does seem to be someone on that floor. The lights are on, showing through the door window, and there are sounds of machinery running inside. * LadyNightshade makes her way down to the landing next to Norcliff, peeking in the window, trying to see who is on the other side. * Norcliff scampers up a few steps, then glides over to the window. The floor appears to be a mostly open space, with lowish cubicles arranged neatly throughout. There are two women visible, both with their backs to you for the moment. The one you can see the most of is pushing a large vacuum cleaner. On the other side of the open space are the only offices on the floor - the big one in the middle is where you're supposed to plant the device. * Norcliff whispers to Taki ( Well, I could try to get them to chase the "rodent" enough for you to sneak in...) I should be able to get in alright. They're not even paying attention. * LadyNightshade checks the door for an alarm of any sort. * LadyNightshade watches the ladies for a moment and times her opening of the door and slipping out with when they both turn away. Both of them are carefully working their way away from Taki, meticulously vacuuming. Taki moves into a lobbyish sort of space, and finds herself at what must be a secretary's desk. Without the narrow window limiting her field of vision, it's obvious that the two "corridors" between the cubicles being vacuumed are the only two passages through the maze. * LadyNightshade stays low behind the cubicle walls, waiting for the cleaning ladies to pass the office so she can make her way to the door. * LadyNightshade looks around her to see if they cleaned the spot she's at. Maybe she can hide out till they move on to another floor. The carpet on the elevator end of the room looks clean, but she notices that waste baskets have not been emptied. The bathroom doors are also propped open. The cleaning carts are parked next to the bathrooms. * Norcliff looks for the light switches. There is a big bank of light switches in an alcove next to the elevator. Normally they are locked in a plastic case, but that is currently hanging open... Time passes, and the cleaners move slowly down the passages away from Taki. Eventually they reach the far end, and you hear them vacuuming the open space at the far end. Suddenly, you can hear the elevator start to move. * LadyNightshade decides to wait them out and ducks back into the stairwell. Taki slips the door quietly shut just as the elevator chimes and opens. * Norcliff hides under a desk * LadyNightshade peeks in the window, ready to duck out of the way if anyone looks her way. Two men in security uniforms come out of the elevator, and call out to the cleaners. "Hey, there!" * Cleaner shuts off her vacuum and her partner does the same. Already? Isn't it a bit early? Nah, we've been on duty for almost six hours. They had a bunch of us come early to make a big show out of securing the northern lot for the Americans. Oh, are they finally here? Is our department going to have to clean their crap, too? Are you kidding? They won't let any of us in their trailers. It's seeeeeecret, you know. The two groups have come together around the secretary's desk. The cleaners pull four nicely-packed bento off their cleaning carts, and they sit down to eat. Taki has to duck as three of them have a direct line of sight to her window. So... how long is it going to take for them to fix that... uh, was it a battleship? * LadyNightshade crouches by the door, leaning against the wall, waiting for them all to go away. No, nobody uses battleships anymore. It's a carrier. They need the whole damned slip 1 to fix it in. Darkmoon, have Norcliff warn me if they're coming my way. Huh? Will do... what's going on? You know the worst part? I'm stuck in the stairwell waiting for the cleaning staff to leave... And now two guards came in to have a conversation with them. Universal Shipbuilding isn't even going to be fixing it, other than providing supplies and equipment. They're flying in about five hundred extra personnel to do the actual work. Well, hopefully it'll be a useful conversation, at least. ...oh. This sounds like a long night. -_- ...if you can hear them, of course. Yeah, I'm listening... ...that's no fair! We'll have to lay off a bunch of guys for the duration, won't we? * Guard munches on a rice ball, then nods. Okay, good. Let us know if anything comes up./ Yeah, I couldn't believe that the zaibatsu agreed to it. Where's the loyalty to their employees? This country is going to rot, and those gaijin are half the trouble. Just wait. There'll be protesters outside the gates once it gets here... There's a silent moment as everyone grimaces. * Guard finishes the rice ball. "Good as ever." Of course it is. Just pay me on time for once, okay? Right, right... Hey. If it's coming in to slip 1, why is there still a ship there? I think they want to get as much done as- Yeah, right. They just laid the keel two weeks ago. There's no way it can even be floated by the end of the week. * Guard stands up and stretches. "Really? That's weird. Maybe I heard wrong... or maybe the bosses are playing a deeper game?" * Cleaner gathers up the bento and tosses them into the bag on her cart. Like we'll ever find out about it if they are. You know it. ...hey, when do you get offshift then? * Cleaner reaches up and tugs the man's cap down over his eyes. "For you? Never." One of these times you'll change your mind. * Guard and his partner walk back towards the elevator, but stop just short. You go on down. It's time to do the walkthrough. ... * Cleaner and her partner are going back to their vacuums. * Guard turns towards the nearby stairwell door and reaches for it. What's going on Norcliff? Guards going to the stairwell! Move Taki! (to Darkmoon) Incoming Guard. * LadyNightshade dashes up the stairs to the next flight up as quickly and quietly as she can. * Guard opens the door, and turns to go up the stairs. Taki can immediately tell that he's coming her direction. * LadyNightshade keeps moving up to stay ahead of the guard. Taki moves as silently as she can to the fifth floor, then stops as she hears the fourth floor door open below her. * LadyNightshade checks do see if the guard goes in or just looks inside. It sounds like the guard has gone inside, and a quick visual confirmation verifies that assessment. * LadyNightshade moves back down past that door to the third floor to wait for the cleaners to finish. The cleaners finish vacuuming as Taki looks back into the room. They come back down the walkways and push their vacuums into a storage closet. One wrinkles her nose and heads into the ladies room, while another grabs her cart and moves down one row of cubicles emptying trash. * LadyNightshade continues to wait. Hopefully dumping the trash is the last thing they have to do. The cleaner comes out of the bathroom as her partner finishes one side of the room. They end up trading places - one goes back to do the men's room, while the other takes the other side. Another twenty minutes pass, and the two cleaners finish their tasks. They lounge for a moment in the lobby area, then put the rest of the equipment away. Off go the lights, and the two leave in the elevator. It sounds like it goes one floor down. * LadyNightshade heaves a sigh of relief and makes her way back into the offices, cloaking herself in the comfort of invisibility. Nobody sees her cross the room! * Norcliff gasps a breath a relief as he finally gets to leave a desk. * LadyNightshade makes her way over to the door, checking for alarms, before testing the lock. The target office door is unlocked, and Taki finds herself in a drab office... with a huge window overlooking the bay. * LadyNightshade slips inside, shutting the door behind her. She pauses to admire the view for a moment. Something vaguely humanoid splashes up out of the bay several hundred meters away, just barely visible in the distant lights of the active slips. I hope that's Kyouko... Hope what's Kyouko? * LadyNightshade scans the room for a good place to plant the bug. Not with a fluke like that it isn't. The thing goes back underwater. * Norcliff hops on Taki's shoulder to look I saw something swimming in the bay. I don't think it is though... ...Taki, Kyouko went back down a few minutes ago. The furniture in this office is all metal. Desk, chair, drawers, a spiffy floor lamp. ...where's the thing you saw, and what's it doing now? It went back under water. It looked like a person... but didn't swim like one. A small bookshelf stuffed with thick accounting manuals sits on one wall. * LadyNightshade places the bug under the desk. Uh-oh. Yeah. Have you got the bug placed, at least? * LadyNightshade looks around for a spot with enough room to stick the transmitter. If I'm going back in the ceiling, I want a handkerchief. Yeah, just need to place the transmitter now. I think I'm going to avoid the ceiling this time... * Norcliff wipes his fuzzy brow. ...maybe you could hide it on the roof somewhere? * Norcliff jumps off of Taki onto the ceiling, looking for any depressions that aren't obvious from below. The bowl of the floor lamp is the only obvious one, but that would cast a shadow, and probably melt as well. I don't see any good spots from up here... The clean lines of the furniture certainly don't provide much cover. And everything is engineered too closely for it to be squeezed in some cranny. But it need not be, as the transceivers have some range... * LadyNightshade heads back into the office area to look around for a better spot. What about with the others? We already found the good ceiling tile. The cubicles are similarly minimalist, though there is some personal clutter around them, and the way the desks are placed inside makes it nearly impossible to look underneath them... * LadyNightshade pokes into the restrooms too while she looks around. There's room under the desks to fit, but if they crawled under they'd see it easily... Maybe if we don't see anything better... The restrooms are strangely artistic when compared to the rest of this floor. They have almost an art-deco flair to them, with lots of molding and indirect lighting. * Norcliff performs the now routine "aerial" survey of the room. The decorative moldings appear to mostly be hollow, and pretty damn dusty in the sheltered space. Hmm... I found some good spots. If the cleaning ladies don't get to them, its likely no one else will. * Norcliff directs Taki to an appropriate area. * LadyNightshade goes to check Norcliff's spots, and places it in one that seems the most inconspicuous. She has to climb up the other molding pieces to get there. They creak a little, but hold firm until she drops free. Are we finally finished now? Looks like it. Yeah, are we? * Secretary has been anxiously watching the time. Oh, good. Kyouko may almost be back on shore, and I don't want to strand her. Um, your exit should be clear, I think. Except for the guard checking the floors could be moving up to the top floor at any time... * Norcliff sighs Well, once you get out of the building, that is. I'll scout again. I don't see anything right now. * Norcliff scampers off to check the top floor. Secretary-san, you'll be picking up Taki first, right? I don't want to leave until we're sure she'll be out all...right... * LadyNightshade moves out of the restroom and scans to make sure everything is the way it was when she came in. As soon as the little guy makes it to the stairwell, he hears footsteps below him, going down. * Norcliff thinks to Darkmoon "The Guard's already finished with the top floor" * LadyNightshade moves over to the stairwell after double checking the floor. Taki, Norcliff says the guard's done with the top floor. As he heads upwards, it soon becomes clear that there is no one on the top floors. We should be clear then. * LadyNightshade heads into the stairwell and quietly makes her way to the top floor. The top floor is as she left it, almost an hour before. The hole in the window covering is still loose, even. ...so. Call me forgetful, but what was our plan for getting you off the grounds proper, again? * LadyNightshade moves to the window, looking for her rope to get back up. Norcliff can you seal the plastic well enough behind me and crawl out? The rope is waiting just where she left it. I'll do what I can. Can't fix the claw holes though. * LadyNightshade carefully opens the plastic up and climbs out onto the rope, waiting for Norcliff to do his thing so she can help him to the roof. * Norcliff carefully reattaches the tape as best as he can, trying to reuse the old holes for grip. It's not quite perfect - frankly, tape was scaled for human hands, not sugar gliders' - but it holds fast. You need me for anything else Taki? I think we're done here. Just gotta get back out. Well, good luck with that. Nightshade-san... I don't remember how you were going to do that either. * Norcliff shouts "Wheeeee!~" and leaps off the building, gliding safely out of view, and off the lot. * LadyNightshade moves over to the ladder and makes her way back down it, keeping her eyes alert for guard or patrols. I'll think of something. ...erk. Oi. We'll stay up here to keep lookout, then. Where's Norcliff? Gliding out of here. There's not a lot of activity tonight on the base, and it's still more or less winter, so the guards are mostly staying in their posts. ...ah. Does he know where the van's parked at? I think so. Well, okay then. * Norcliff lands softly on the hood of the van. You ladies miss me? * LadyRoyal looks for anything that might help Taki on her way out. Norcliff! * Lady_MakeBelieve jumps out and scoops him up. * LadyNightshade makes her way back down to the ground and heads towards the fence she entered from. Minami notices that long stretches of the fenceline are basically unlit and unwatched... but they still have that ten meter gap between fences to cross. * Lord_Darkmoon takes a look at the convoy. Any chance it might be moving back out again tonight? * LadyRoyal reports said information to Nightshade. The convoy is going precisely nowhere. There do not even seem to be delivery trucks, though there is activity in four of the slips. Taki thinks through her options in the cover of the darkened warehouses. * LadyNightshade heads over to a dark part of the fence. ...Taki? What are you going to do? The largest dark spaces are south of the main gate, but it's an easy hike for Taki. I'm going to jump from one fence to the other. ...oh. Okay. Good luck. Yeah. Thanks. Let us know where you're gonna jump, so we can concentrate the lookout over there. * Lord_Darkmoon turns his binoculars on the fence, trying to find Taki and watch. * LadyNightshade hops her way on top of the inner fence and readies herself for the jump. Taki gets a running start and leeeeeeeaps... just a little short. She doesn't quite have the height to land on top of the fence - instead she flies straight into it, bounces, and desperately grabs hold before falling to the sensor net below. * LadyNightshade oofs and scrambles up on top of the fence so she can hop down to the other side. You okay, Lady Nightshade? I'm... fine. * LadyNightshade grits her teeth and takes the impact like a woman. ...good. Out, then? * Secretary starts the van. I'll circle around and pick you up. We'll come down as soon as you get into the van. * LadyNightshade jumps down on the far side of the fences, making her way away from the complex and waits for a pick up. No, come on down now. Very well. Shall we, Lady Royal? I don't want to be circling around in front of the gates any more. * Lord_Darkmoon rises, and puts away his binoculars. ...okay then. Hopefully it'll stay clear. * LadyRoyal packs up and nods to Darkmoon. "Let's." * LadyRoyal makes her way down. C'mon, come on. * Lord_Darkmoon follows. No one's going to accuse him of looking up Royal's skirt. We're going, we're going. * Lord_Darkmoon jumps down the last bit once Royal's out of the way, and sweeps towards the van. As soon as the spotters pile into the van, it peels out. * LadyRoyal swings over the rail to save herself the last few steps and dives into the van. * Secretary is driving *fast* now, not wanting to be here a second longer than necessary. The van careens around a block or two, then screeches to a stop in front of Taki. * LadyNightshade climbs into the back, shutting the door behind herself. Okay... now Lady Heat. Took you long enough. Now now, Norcliff. Not everyone is lucky enough to be a sugar glider. * Norcliff preens. Lucky is right. ... Thank you for the help, Norcliff. I couldn't have done it without you. * Secretary doesn't even bother to circle around the block this time, she just drives straight down the main road past the southern gate. Kyouko is soon spotted by the headlights, shivering in the February air. * Norcliff is a bit surprised by Taki's decency. "Well, You're welcome" * LadyRoyal opens the door for Kyouko ASAP and hands her a towel as soon as she gets in. Hey look, she's not dead. Be nice. ... I didn't mean that to come out like that. I mean cause of the Ningyo and... I'm sorry. * Lord_Darkmoon uses the Tessen to make the towel thicker, and keep drying it out repeatedly. "Good work, Ladies. Shall we head back to the Agency?" 'S all right, Taki. We're all still a little tense. * LadyRoyal nods at Rin. "That'd be a good idea." * Secretary zooms south, away from Universal Shipbuilding. Those of you who are watching out the front window feel faintly nauseous at her driving. Is that what you guys want? * Lord_Darkmoon nods. "It's warm there, and those who want it can use the hottub. I'll probably head home from there." ...sure. We'll need to pack away the gear anyway. * Secretary wheels around a cloverleaf interchange at Alarming Speed. No prob. * Lord_Darkmoon seems unbothered by the reckless driving. The darkness of the van does wonders for hiding frightened pallor. * LadyNightshade curls up in the back with her arms around her knees and not really saying anything. * LadyRoyal just sits back and enjoys the ride. Are you okay, Nightshade? * LadyRoyal actually seems to be doing so, in fact. ... What? * LadyNightshade looks up. Oh I'm fine. Good. *smiles kindly, not that it's visible* You did well. Thanks... * LadyRoyal nods. "Yeah, good job, Taki. You too, Kyouko." * LadyRoyal glances around to make sure no-one's around on the streets, and detranses in the van. As the van seems (mostly) eerily silent, the secretary turns on the radio. The inevitable news report comes on. Our top news story tonight is the scheduled arrival Saturday morning of the American carrier crippled in a bizarre accident at sea a couple of weeks ago. The Prime Minister and the Mayor of Tokyo are to attend a ceremony onboard as it docks to welcome the US Navy into our harbors after decades of political tensions. Large protests from anti-war and anti-nuclear groups are expected, but the president of Hitachi-2osen has expressed his confidence that this repair in his company's facilities will lead to a new era of economic cooperation with the American Navy. ... ...that explains...some of it. Stupid psychic newscasts. Heh. [end session] Session Close: Sat Jan 29 20:06:35 2005