Comments and Critiques welcomed, Please.  I want to thank Bert(Skyknight)
Shannon (Windlilly) and Bruce for the help they have already given me on
this story

BGC: Beat of Defiance I

Chapter 2:  2ND CONTACT PART 1

It was one of Priss and the Replicants nights off.  As a change of pace
Priss decided to
be part of the audience instead of in front of it.  Also she wanted to check
out this new act that would be playing solo some nights  and preceding hers
on others.  She had
been told it was a cover band called L.A. Tina, with the L and A being
pronounced
separately.

Priss scanned the club,  *  Nothing much going on, crowd's about what I
would expect
when I'm not singing.   Oh well might as well check out this group.  Wonder
if they
are any good or if they are as sucky as most cover groups.  *

Priss repeated her opinion out loud to the bartender.  The bartender had
caught some of
LA Tina's Rehearsals.

"Yeah they cover, mostly classic rock from the  1970's 80's and a few 90's
stuff.  But
they put a new twists to them.  You probably going to like them Priss."

"Like I like getting my arm broke." was the moody singers reply.

The canned music faded out.  The stage was completely dark.  Priss could
hardly make
out the stage.

Then a single voice belted out "What are you looking at???"

A spot light suddenly lit off on a fairly tall woman was standing to one
side of the
stage.  She was playing keyboards. She had long iron gray hair only she
didn't look
that old.  She had a dancers body.  The dress she wore looked like it was
made to
allow free movement.

As Priss took this in, and listened to the keyboards play the introduction a
second spot
illuminated a drum set just as set of bongos started to play.  The light
showed that a
petite woman was the one playing the bongos.  This woman looked maybe a
little taller
than Nene. She had black hair and looked French, the beret she was wearing
adding to
the image.

Then a bass line started.  With it a third spot drew Priss' eyes to a man
playing some
odd keyboard/gutair combination.  It had two necks and was connected to some
sort of
amplifier/computer set up.

Priss snorted to herself.  *  Looks like something Nene would play. *

After the third spot came up the male took over main instrumental as the
gray haired
woman began to dance and sing.  Priss had finally recognized the song as "Vogue"
originally done by someone named "Madonna".  With the instrumental chores being
taken care of the woman threw herself totally into the dance.

Priss was surprised at her grace and passion. *  Damn she can move!! *

The dancer was also singing the lead.  The drummer was covering the back up
chores.
The lights were in sync to music.  As the song continued there was a line
that went
"bump and grind it" the woman managed to be sexy without slutty.  Then as
she moved
to a part that listed some old stars the holograms started.

Some where poster size others where life-size and yet more were larger  than
life.  She
appeared to dance with a few of them.  The final of echo of "Vogue" ended
the song.
The crowd sounded their approval.

 *  Not a bad opening, for a cover group. *  Priss thought as she took a
shot of her
drink.

 * I wonder how much of the cheering is for the show and how much is for the
way she
looks.  *

"Hello everyone we are L. A. Tina!!  The L stands for Louis, our
guitar/synth player."

With a quick raising of her eyebrows she added, "He's French ladies."   At
that Louis
played a few bars of the French national anthem.

Laughing the gray haired woman continued.  "The A stands for Angelique.  Guess
what guys.  SHE'S French too!!!"  A quick drum riff with a cymbal crash followed
that remark.

She looked like she was going to continue when someone in the crowd shouted
"What
are you!!"

"Well someone had to ask.  I'm Tina, of course.  Now we got some other songs
waiting for you.  This next one is a favorite one of Louis, mainly because
he gets to
play lead."

"It is called the Southern Cross, and the original group was called 'Crosby,
Stills and
Nash'.  I hope we do justice to it."

At this point the stage was back lit  and the image of  a sailing ship
appeared over the
stage.  The man steering it appeared to resemble Louis.  As the song
continued it
became obvious that there was a "connection" between Louis and the  drummer.
Every
time the refrain came around with the line "Who knows loves can endure" he was
looking right at the drummer.  Who returned the look.

The holograms were telling a story from the song.  A part dealt with people
being lied
and cheated.  Priss frowned.  Many of the "bad guys" had the appearance of
several
public Genom executives, including Chairman Quincy.  There were a few other
corporations represented as well.

Priss looked thoughtful  * Now that _IS_ a twist, using old rock to hit the
new fat cats.
*

"All right folks, that was one of our soft numbers.  Are you ready for something
harder?"

Of course the crowd shouted "YES"

(Touch and Go by Emerson Lake and Powell)
Again the keyboards sounded.  This time there was power and some anger in
the cords.

[Man in the street, nowhere to sleep,
No time for nothing no Patek Phillip.]

Tina appeared to be concentrating full on the keyboards.  Priss found, to
her surprise,
that she was disappointed.  She had liked the dancing that this Tina had
done, she
wanted to see more.  Then another hologram showed up.  It was Tina in the
same outfit
she had on stage.

[Pedal to the metal
Blow by Blow,
you're running with the devil
its Touch and Go]

The holographic Tina was in perfect sync with the music.

The song's words conjured images of despair, but in Tina's dance there was
hope, and
spirit. The dance was telling others to keep fighting on.

[You see this woman on a TV show
she's dripping in diamonds from head to toe]

The woman in question looked like one of Priss' least favorite
"idol" singers

The hologram Tina dumped something sticky all over the woman.
Priss was one of several who laughed out loud at that. Especially when she
realized that
it was perfectly timed with:

[They want you to believe it is the status quo
Your running with the devil it's Touch and Go]

The Hologram Tina danced away, deftly avoid the angry Hologram of the idol
singer.

[All systems go!! Friend or Foe,
It's all depending on the dice you throw.
Come without a warning like a UFO.
You're running with the devil, it's Touch and Go.]

With the final cord the live band members and the hologram all bowed in unison.

Without pause they started again with the music

(Runner by Manfried Man)

[Through the night,
Through the dawn,
Behind you another runner is born]

The keyboards where now moody, gradually building up.  A hologram of Angelique
appeared over the stage.  She was dressed like a W.W.II resistance fighter.
While you
never saw the face of who she was carrying, she was picking up and moving a
wounded person to a place of safety.  The wounded person placed something on the
ground next to her and indicated for Angelique to take it.  She took the
object then
moved on.

[Watch your step,
Keep your cool.
Though you can't see what your running to]

As the line  sounded out you could see her advancing to some unknown
objective.  You
could see her at times stopping and launching fire arrows, at other times
passing
messages or leaving signs for others to follow.

[And it's underneath the moon light
passing songs
and its underneath the moon light
like a song.
And you shall run your time,
a shooting star across the line]

Numerous times she was threatened or attacked by Nazi troopers who resembled
Boomers.  Each time she escaped both with help and on her own.  Sometimes
she had a
clean-cut victory, others she just barely escaped with her life.  But she
was always
moving forward.  As the song neared its end you could see that Angelique was not
alone, more people of all races and walks of life were with her off to both
sides.

[And you shall run your time
a shooting star across the line
and you shall surely touch the sky
And pass on the Flame!!  Pass on the Flame!!]

Finally one of the Nazi-boomers knocked her down.  It was obvious that she
was to
injured to fight anymore.  The Boomer stood in a sadistic pose ready to
deliver the
death blow.  Then another girl, about the height of the person Angelique had
helped,
attacked, managing to destroy the Boomer.  This new girl moved Angelique to
a place
of safety she took the same object that Angelique had been given.  This new
girl left to
continue the fight.

Priss was starting to like this despite herself.  Yes the songs were not
original, covers each and every one.  But the way they were presented, that
was original.  They were making her think more, and SHE already had a stake
in the battle against Genom.

(Land of Illusions by Genesis)
[ed note:  need to decide what to do with this one]

[ I've heard it on the news today
they say danger has gone away
But I say the fire's still alight
burning deeper, into the night]

Images taken directly from old Genom ads touting the public use of boomers
appeared.

[But there's to many tears,
to many promises
but not enough love to go around]

Now the crowd saw recent footage of a boomer rampage.

[still need to finish this song]

"Now folks we only got time for one more song.  The original group was
called "Bon
Jovi" and the song is 'Wanted Dead or Alive'.  The lights had dimmed.  The music
started.  Louis synth was now sounded like a standard guitar as he played the
introduction.

[It's all the same
only the names have changed
everyday it seems that we're are wasting away
Another place where the faces are so cold
I travel all night, just to get back home]

Matching the first lines shots of various infamous people  were shown, again
several
public executives of Genom where included.  Then the images shifted to
scenes from
around Mega-Tokyo mixed with shots of Tina driving a van through the sprawl.

[I'm a cowgirl, on a steel horse I ride
because I'm wanted dead or alive
wanted dead or alive]

Now the images  showed all of LA Tina riding motorcycles.

[Sometimes I sleep, sometimes not for days
the people I meet always go their separate ways.
Sometimes you tell the day by the bottle that you drink
and time when you're alone and all you do is think]

More images of the Sprawl, showing people talking leaving etc..  The final
part of the
sequence show Tina drinking in a thoughtful mood.

[I'm a cowgirl, on a steel horse I ride
because I'm wanted dead or alive
wanted dead or alive]

[Oh and I ride]

Tina leaped from her position. Priss wondered how she could leap so high without
some sort of boost.   As she danced her movements started like a person who was
downtrodden, beaten.  But as she continued she showed more fire and emotion,
becoming Defiant, showing that defeat was one thing but breaking her was
another.

The dance also had a subtle message, anyone could be doing as she was.  With
a final
spin and leap she was back at her keyboards.

[As I walk these streets, a loaded keyboard on my back
I play for keeps, because I might not make it back
I've been every where, still I'm standing tall
I've seen a million faces and I've rocked them all]

[I'm a cowgirl, on a steel horse I ride
I'm wanted dead or alive
I'm a cowgirl, I've got the night on my side
I'm wanted dead or alive
wanted dead or alive]

[And I ride]

[Still I ride.]

Priss turned back to the bar sipping her drink.  No, she was still number
one here.  No
way a cover band could take her spot, no matter how good.  Still this LA
Tina had
guts.  Most of those songs where presented in a blatantly anti-Genom style.
And they
got some of the people pumped up.

The canned music started again.  Priss smiled to herself when it was a
recording of one
of her songs.  Looking back up at the stage she could just make out LA Tina
breaking
down.  Tina looked like she was listening to Priss' song.  Suddenly she
broke into a
few steps of dance.  Then she looked wistful and continued the packing.

A few minutes later there were sounds as people were congratulating Tina as she
advanced to the bar.  She was friendlier than Priss tended to be after a show.

Suddenly Priss heard a familiar voice, a voice she had hopped would never
come back
here.  It was Axle of the Sly-B's, a bunch of Outrider wanta-be's.
Frequently called
the Slime-balls by others they lived up to that name as well.  Unfortunately
they could
still be trouble.  Axle had made a pass at Priss early in her stay at Hot
Legs.  She had
stopped him with a well placed kick.  After she had dazzled them with some
driving
brilliance she hadn't had any problem.  Of course using her Boomer buster on
a few of their bikes helped.

Axle had made his pass on Tina,  there was nothing subtle or smooth about
it.   * Jerk.
Try using a different set of lines next time. * , came across Priss' mind as
she watched.

Tina laughed.  "You know, some of those things just might be interesting
except for a
few little details."

Tina jabbed Axle in the chest, surprisingly hard, staggering him.  "I like
my partners
clean, as in bathing more than once a month or when it rains."

When Axle tried to slap her the word "bitch" died in his throat.  This is
because Tina
had gotten his hand in a "come along" hold.

"And I prefer to get it on with full human beings.  I'm not sure you
qualify."  Tina
then walked Axle to a bouncer who was trying to work his way through the crowd.
"And I think you are leaving.  Now."

The look that Axle was giving Tina promised several forms of mayhem.  Priss, who
had quietly moved over to watch saw that Tina was unafraid.  During the
transfer to
the bouncer there was a moment when neither was holding him.  Axle pulled a
knife
and tried to slash Tina with it.  She simply leaned back and started a
circular motion.
She used this motion to dodge the next slash, then with out breaking rhythm she
launched a kick into Axle's belly.  He folded, dropping the knife.  The
bouncer then
literally threw  Axle out.  And returned to apologize for the attack.

The laughing, friendly Tina was back.  "No problem.  My Aunt Yevette would have
turned him over and given you the knife at the same time.  My Aunt Karen
would have
broken his arm, taken the knife and saved you the trouble of tossing him out."

Shaking his head the bouncer said "Remind me never to tangle with your family."

Tina headed back to the bar.  "A rum and coke please.  Plus two white wines.
If you
don't have them then two "Beck's" please."  Then she turned and noticed Priss
examining her.  "Pretty fast moves for a grey haired lady" the Knight Saber
said.

"Oh this? Family trait, My father, both my brothers and my sister have it as
well.
Daddy says he remembered his father having it too."

"Well those were some good moves you pulled back there.  Watch it though.
He wont
take a one time 'No' for an answer.  You're likely to have to bash him
again.  I know
from experience."

"Why thank you Priss."

Priss startled but quickly recovered.  "How did you know who I am?  I'm not
dressed
for my act."

"No but I've seen your posters. They're all over the place.  When you program
holograms as much as I do you learn to observe details."

"You did all of those yourself?"

"No Louis and Angelique also work on them.  It is a group effort."

"Should our ears be burning?"  a French accented voice asked.

Tina turned to the others, a smile on her face.  "Ah!!  The initials of the
band have
arrived.  Everything put away?"

Angelique responded, "But of course!!  But what is the rumors we heard as we
came
back in?  Did you have problems?  And who is this lady with you."

The French woman's gaze reminded Priss  a little of when Leon was asking her
for a
date.  When Priss thought about it the French guy had the same look as well.
Before
she could reply though Tina broke in.

"This is Priss of Priss and the Replicants, Angel.  The act we will be
fronting for some
nights.  And ease off on her will you? I swear you got Louis, he should be
enough for
you."  Angelique said something in what Priss assumed was French.  Tina kept her
reply in Japanese, "I prefer it one-on-one.  And you know I don't swing that
way.  But
you get first shot if I every change my mind."

Turning back to Priss, Tina added, "Angelique does try to perpetuate that
particular
stereotype about the French, with her own twist.  Don't worry, unlike that
idjit earlier, she knows what NO means."

Priss, in spite of herself was finding that she liked this strange trio.

After the trio had finished their drinks  ("When did the Hot Legs carry
wine?" Priss
asked herself) Tina excused them.  "We got to go now.  There is still some
tweaking
that we need to do for the holograms and  that means an early start.  Later
Priss, glad
to meet you."

"Well I guess I will have something to talk about at the meeting tomorrow" Priss
mused as they left.

============================

Nene loved the net.  She just wished that her job at ADP would let her go
full interface
like this, but no, their budget would not allow that for anyone but the very
top ranked
computer cops.  Fortunately the interface technology that allowed the Knight
Sabers
armor to be so effective could also be used for net running.  It allowed her
to be just as effective as someone with an interface plug.  Still the fact
that the higher ups wouldn't let her do what she did best rankled her.
"It's so unfair" her icon muttered.

"Repeat Password" the Guarding Giant said.

 * Darn, shouldn't be woolgathering in the net. *

She repeated the password.  Then she evaded this special nodes protective
ICE to enter
a "Virtual Club".  Every big city had at least one place like this for the
cream of the
local hackers world.  And Nene was definitely a part of it.

Tonight she was just playing with the bits so her icon was "herself" a cute
fuzzy bear
riding a cute scooter.  Despite the image the others, treated her with
friendly respect.
Anyone who could get into this mode knew hacking and netrunning.  Icons made no
difference.  Of course if she had come as the Knight Saber it would be
different.  That
icon incorporated elements of all four of the Sabers suits and had some very
nasty
attack software that this set lacked (although the bear had more than a few
surprises). Nene may be the weakest KS in meat world combat, but the armor
persona was pure hell on
wheels in a netfight.  But Sylia had made Nene promise to keep that
interface at the KS
HQ.  Besides she liked everyone friendly instead of wary.

"Hello Cyberbear."  The virtual bartender greeted her.  Like many other
icons it was
not human  "Looking for anything in particular?  I'm still working on that VR
chocolate cake, no go though.  I worked out the glitch in the sukaki.  And the
Americans tell me the bar-b-que is just like the real thing."  Then
remembering her
stated fondness for deserts he added  "Oh and the cheesecake appears to run OK."

"Thanks Smaug (who did look like the Tolken dragon), but it simulates the
ONLY type
of cheesecake I don't like."

In cyberspace it is possible for a dragon to look sad.

After chatting on the more recent rumors Nene was attracted by a commotion
over by
the view booth.  Putting over there she asked "What gives."

"Possible new join coming in," said a Conan the Barbarian clone, "Must have
some of
that new European stuff we've been hearing about, broke the password code
almost has
fast as your first run Cyberbear"

"What?"  Nene's record had stood for quite a while.  While it still was not
broken this
was the first time someone came close.

"That is an interesting icon, a skunk in Renaissance dress" someone observed.

"Good quality too" added a Statue.

"She must like to dance, that is what her evading program looks like"

"Or can't and this is the closest she can come to it for real"  said a Sumo
wrestler.

Nene knew were this one was coming from.  She had seen his meat body.  It was
scrawny.

"Opps she tripped Otto."

"Still might get in, about half that do trip him can still get in"

"Well look at that, a sword.  Ran him through right quick too.  Must be a
real heavy
weight program."

The rest of the obstacles were easily taken care of.

"Well it was not the fastest first run.   Cyberbear still has that honor
but she has made the top 10, at number 10." said Smaug from the bar.

With that, as local custom demanded, those near the door and in the
observation booth
applauded the skunk as she entered.

She still had the rapier in her hand.  She saluted the applause with a
flourish and then
sheathed the weapon.  This bit of style gained even more approval.

Nene pushed her icon over toward the skunk.   * Got to meet her, she makes
the third
woman, or woman icon, besides me to make the list.  If she is constantly
that good I'm
going to have to upgrade the KS computer's defenses, not to mention my
private ADP
stuff. *

Nene had done that every time someone new had made the Top Ten list and stayed
there for a while.

"Hi!  I'm Cyberbear!  What is your handle?"

"Well I like to go by a old nickname, I'm Little Stinker."

"Little Stinker?"

"Hey what else would you call a skunk?"

The two women sized each other up.  Both knew that just getting into this
place took a
high level of skill.  But the also noted that the others icon was very well
detailed,
showing just as much  emotion and smoothness as a real person would.

"You have a point Little Stinker, what brings you here, the challenge?"  Nene
wondered why the other started a bit over her statement.

"In part, also this type of place is the best for checking out the local
networld."

Nene "drove" over to a virtual table.  "Yes Smaug's Cave is the place to be
in Mega-
Tokyo for that stuff.  And he even serves virtual drinks.  Doesn't have all
of them
perfect but he keeps trying.  Watch it though, you can get just as drunk
here as in a
real bar."

"I've been to places  like this.  Jacking out cures it real quick"

"Yes but until then you are just a blasted.  Not a good thing to be in the
net"  Nene,
took a sip of her coke, being careful.  "Plus when you do jack out it's
almost as bad as
dump shock."

=====================================
Tina jacked out after her visit to "Smaug's Cave".

 * Oh that Cyberbear was right.  It's almost as bad as dump shock. *

After she could see the real world again she saw Angelique working
diligently at a
program.

 * Funny how we discovered a medical student could program, and damn well to.  *

Shortly after they had all joined up, Tina had suggested that they all cross
train one
another.  That's when they discovered that Angelique could program better
than Tina
could.  That was also when they found out a particular weakness of Angelique.

 * I know the net is dangerous, but I also see how lovely it is.  Poor Angel
can only see how alien it is.  *

The only netrun they had done together was a disaster.  Angelique froze,
there was no
other way to describe it.  Tina had to jack out herself, then jack Angelique
out.
Angelique had sobbed for an hour before she could get back under control.
They never
mentioned it again, but even now, if they need to do some VR work on the
holograms
Angelique would only go in if they were on a totally isolated system.   *
Still she loves to program, almost as much as she loves the drums, and she
is one of the best keyboard runners I've ever heard of.  *

"OK Angel, enough.  I'm done for the night, and you are too.  We can pick up
again
in the morning."

Ben L. Harrison - HM1(FMF) USN
Harriso3@ix.netcom.com
====================================================================
Anime Excuse #212: Went  on a  mission with the  Lovely Angels
Anime Excuse #213: Tried to help Linna start her car