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November 25, 2045.
Dear Anastasius Foch,
As Shark, Spydr, and Kenna spotted the Arasaka guy labeled Watch observing them leave the gate, they sprang into action. Kenna began to probe his mind and reap all the information from it she could; once finished he walked into the bathroom and committed suicicide. Shark developed a plan instantly after reanalyzing their tactical situation: they have to hijack the shuttle and land somewhere besides Chicago. He settled on Highway 35 somewhere north of Mankato, where the roads get somewhat straight and flat. Spydr set about befriending the new fellow Rick.
Kenna interrupted this. She had finished with the Arasaka guys mind, then went on to the next new target. She did not like what she found, so walked up to Spydr and Rick. Kenna began accusing him of being a traitor and a plant for Arasaka, who would betray us at the first opportunity that he got. Spydr did not like the acqusations, but when she read Rick like a book, they appeared to hit home. Kindly then, she escorted Kenna back to her seat and said she would take care of it. Spydr went to great lengths to buddy up to Rick, going so far as to say 'stealing is a bad thing.'
Shark was sitting next to Zona playing with a crosswork puzzle. In his mind he was working out the plan for taking over the ship. It would require radio silence; it would be executed after re-entry; no one would get hurt; Kid, Gator, and Half-pint would secure and subdue the passanger cabin; Zona, Kazure, and Lak would hold the first class cabin; that left Spydr, Kenna, and Shark to take control of the flight deck. After control of the shuttle was gained, Shark would direct the pilots to land at the site of his designation, they would land, Lak would disable all electronics, erase all flight recorders. and then they would steal a car to make their get away.
Shark then went about another crossword puzzle, this time it had a message written out to each person, Spydr first. He called out to Spydr for some help with the crossword. She was annoyed at his childish request; he had Zona for that sort of thing, but once she read it her opinion changed and she agreed to help. Kenna also agreed to convince the pilots that Shark's course of action was the best. Kid Stealth and the guys had no problem with it, nor did Kazure.
Last, Shark had a talk with Half-pint on the appropriatness of his actions at the hotel. He said Halfpint had endangered everyone, not accomplished anything, and had drawn a weapon without killing. Shark also told him that they, the warriors existed to serve and protect people like Kenna, not murder them. Last, Shark used on of his favorite lines (which infuriated Ariel, as she was listening through Halfpints ears) that, "The first duty of the strong is to ever protect the weak." It is exactly that sentiment that I recruited him for.
Following re-entry the plan went exactly according to plan. Shark breached the door to the cabin, cowed the pilots (Victor, Roger, and Clarence) into submission with the Stunner, the Beretta Light, and Spydr and Kenna. The landing was accomplished without any loss of life, and the entire compliment of passangers were sleep-gassed. Lak went about destroying evidence, while Shark opened the door and deployed the emergency escape ramp. It inflated and Kid Stealth headed right down, followed by Kazure to secure the 'beach-head.' The con-combatants were next, then Spydr, the two other Solos and then Shark last.
Cars had pulled off to the side of the road, and others were attempting to creep by along on the sides.The majority of traffic had stopped behind the massive shuttle. Semis had stopped side by side by side in the three lanes to completely block traffic from the rear, but some were trying to get around.
Kazure and Kid Stealth noticed one limo parked ahead of them, while the rest of the traffic in front of the shuttle had moved on. A middle aged man, perhaps in his mid-fifties, wearing a business suit, with salt and pepper hair, stood up with his hands out above his head to the side. Stanton noticed the two men moving in his directions with guns drawn, and had no intention of draing their fire. He noticed that stepping out of the shuttle was an old student of his, Spydr. Both had worked at Aztechnology, and now the handsome caucasian, that stood an even six foot tall offered his help.
Everyone got into the limo, which was quite spacious, and they drove to a restaurant out in Hastings called 'Eat til You Die.' The establishment, a seedy little place with an open area devoid of tables and standing vomit that passed for a dance floor, awaited their arrival with a crowd of local hooligans. The bar is long, the drinks moderately cold, and the waitresses easy. It is the kind of place that reminds Shark of home. It was there that I met them after my brief amount of time incognito. Zona was pleased to see me as always, perhaps too much so because I am sure that Shark took notice. Shark on the other hand was somewhere between worried and afraid to see me again. As you will remember he hog-tied me and shot me with a stunner, but I alowed it then and would not take revenge for something that I allowed. When he noticed this he made a smart remark like 'how are your wrists' or some such banter, I merely laughed. Stanton was debauching with some of the local talent and even displayed his amiable nature by setting up Kazure with a lady from the bar. Kazure promptly called her a hussy and got a drink in the face. To that, all I will say is that there are some psychees even I can not fathom.
For the remainder of the evening, after leaving the fine dining of 'Eat til You Die' everybody pretty much went their own ways. They agreed to keep in touch and to lay low for a while. Euwan (Kazure) delivered Spydr's bags to The Web for her while she was out cavorting around with her old professor Stanton. Kid and the guys headed back to the Villa and then started riots or something for fun. Shark, Zona, and Kenna proceed down to Edina and went slumming.
Dawn would herald in Saturday August 18th with a fine sunrise and the promise of a low smog index. Everyone went about small erands, sleeping in, work, or just lazing around after the big adventure. Sunday the 19th started the same as any other, but would have a big bang ending. During the day, not much happened. Kazure looked for work, Spydr worked at the Web. Shark worked on his hangover and a new ID for the Russian they saved, Nicholi. But it was at The Web, that the day got its big ending. Spydr was walking by the bank of payphones and one rang, so she picked it up. It said a few simple words into her ear. "Greetings my Dear." They were in the voice of Mike.
Sincerely,
Richard Raven
Also, M5-45-WQ-XR-R9-NC
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