C+C still welcomed

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BGC- BEAT OF DEFIANCE II

Chapter 2

Northern Japan, several days prior to the events in chapter 1...

It was a typical bar for doing "Biz".  Dark, everyone oh so carefully not
noticing each other, while at the same time being alert for threats.

At one table sat a woman.  She too had a particular look as well.   Many
slang terms were in use for what she was, "Johnson" being the current
favorite.  Like many of the other patrons she was casually scanning the
room, waiting.

The man she was waiting for studied her for a few moments before
stepping out of the shadows.  His movements were so quiet that she
didn't see his approach.  She jerked slightly when he finally spoke.

"I believe that you are waiting for me."  He said quietly, not bothering to
remove his wide brim hat and duster.  The woman tried to see under the
hat, and failed.

"If you are 'Mr. Ski' then yes."  she replied guardedly.

The man shrugged "It's the name I answer to these days.  I belive you
have a job offer."  his tone made it a statement, not a question.

The woman sipped her drink before replying.  Making a grimace at the taste
she started speaking in low tones.  "My principle wants a third party
guarded.  The one to be guarded is a seven year old girl.  If you are
interested I will continue."  The man made a come on gesture.

"My principal is concerned that other parties might try to gain influence
over the girl, and use that influence to affect decisions that the principle
will be making soon."  The man interrupted.

"A valid reason, but the way I was contacted indicates that there are
additional factors involved here.  As in perhaps 'Special Talents', to use
the current expression?"

"I was told you were good.  That is indeed our reason for wanting you
first.  Our sources indicate that you have some experience in that area."

*Mild understatement*

"Are you still interested?"

"Specifications?"

"The job will involve traveling, both here in Japan, and finally to the
United States.  If you desire upon completing we will return you to
Japan.  Further details will be given if you do hire on."

"I need to know the expected threat level."

* Now we find out if he is really the one we need. * thought the woman.
"Exact level unknown, but pro quality for sure.  There is a chance of
Boomer involvement as well."

The man leaned back in the chair.  "The price tag just went up."

"That's all you have to say?  From what I've heard most people start
asking about heavy weapon support at the mere mention of Boomers"

"I've dealt with them before.  I know what I can do, and what they can do.
That type of high risk assignment carries a high price tag."

"You want to settle a price?"

The man named a price, the woman countered. the session was short
but intense.

"One last thing, this solo or group?"

"Your primary responsibility will be to the child, but there will be other
security forces that you will have to cooperate with.  Do we have a
deal?"

He shook her out stretched hand  "Deal."

"Be at the public comm booth at the 5th district gate.  From there we will
direct you."

=========

Isolated Netspace

Tina's icon phased into view.  In the net Tina was represented by a
humanoid skunk, dressed a a female chevalier.  As she scanned the
area she said to the air, Impressive Detail Sylia.  {Thank you Tina, Nene
said the same thing when she first saw it as well.  Now to business.  I will
observe but not help either of you in any way.  I remind you that
although none of the defences are lethal, some do cause pain.}

The skunk nodded.  "Train as you will fight, right?"  {Correct.   Nene will
be taking a Sysop role with you being the intruder.}

By the way Sylia, do you know why Priss was doing the opening notes
to the 'Funeral March' around Nene?"

{That would be helping one of you if I told.  the test begins now}

"OK Let's Rock and Roll!"

{An odd choice of words considering your icon}

The skunk bowed in a courtly manner.  "Then my liege lady, let us begin
the festivities."

Tina saw an obvious door.  But things were rarely what the appear to be
in the net.  Reaching into one lace cuff she produced a spyglass.  After
some study she closed it and nodded to herself * Very clever Sylia, the
real door is concealed while the visible one is booby trapped. *
Approaching the real door Tina summoned one of her code breaker
programs.  This particular program's icon was a "Gentleman Burglar".
After opening the door he bowed Tina through with a flourish.  Tina drew
her two favorite attack programs, a rapier and a  hand crossbow as she
entered.  As she  expected a warning program was there, it's icon a
carrier pigeon.  The crossbow took out the bird before it even started to
rise.

As Tina continued the run she found that all of her programs were
needed.  Indeed in some cases she took "damage"  from some of the
ICE.  But time and time again she managed to keep an alert from
sounding.  As Tina worked at opening a door herself (her thief program
had been lost to an attack program that resembled a very deadly snake)
she asked Sylia, "Why so many warning programs? "
The disembodied voice replied, {That is the current popular design plan
at this time here in Japan.  The reasoning being that  this combination is
cheaper than a more "combat heavy" setup.}

"Current European thinking is on a sentry/light combat program set up."

{Be that as it may this is the set up you are most likely to see here.   And
you have a long way to go with this course.}

The next encounter Tina had demonstrated just that.  This time there
were multiple warning programs set off.  Try as she might Tina could
not get them all.

*Well now Nene has an idea of were I'm at, I think I'll try to carry the
fight to her. *

She still advanced with caution.  After a few more close calls Tina found
herself in a area that was very open, except for a curtained stage.  As she
entered the area Nene's voice could be heard from behind the curtain.
"glad you got here Tina, let's give Sylia a show!"

As the curtain rose Tina was surprised to see that she recognized Nene's
icon.

*That's Cyberbear!!!  Well then I know she will be good at infiltration,
escape and evasion.  But how well can she fight?"

Tina soon found out.

Nene's first attack resembled a small starship.   When it fired, Tina
countered with a program that looked like a small shield.  She was more
than a little surprised when the shield shattered and she took damage.
Undaunted she called one of her more powerful attack routines, a
wyvern.  As the icons of the two programs entered their dogfight  Tina
called up her crossbow again.   * Let's slow Nene down some. *  The bolt
struck Nene's scooter, depriving her of most of her mobility.

"Smart Tina, no one has done that before!!"

Before Tina could reply both the netrunners attention was draw by the
mutual destruction of their two attack programs.  The words "Lovely Angel"
were visible on some of the starships fragments just prior to derezzing.

Nene decided to keep up the pressure.   "OK Tina, here are some new
routines that I've worked out.  I've been saving them for a special
occasion and this is it!!"  With that Nene's icon changed.

Cyberbear now long hair in a ponytail.  The icon was also taller and was
wearing a school "Fuku" with a short dark green skirt.  There was also a
tiara that an antenna rose from.  When the antenna reached full extension
Nene shouted "Sparkling Wide Pressure!!" and a bolt of lightning shot
toward Tina.

"Nice try Nene, but it there is one theme I can deal with it is lightning or
electricity!"  Tina deflected away the blast with a summoned staff.  As a
counter Tina called a javelin shaped like a lightning bolt.  She drew her
arm back to throw it.

But Nene had not stopped.  Now her icon had short bluish hair and the
skirt was also blue.  In addition she  had shrunk slightly.  Nene's  next
attack was called "Shabon Spray!!"

Quickly the area was filled with a cold numbing fog.  Tina  realized that
she was losing power, rapidly.

*Just great!  And I'll bet she can see me in this fog .  She's probably
still on the stage though, so a little recon by fire is in order. *  Matching
the thought Tina flung the bolt at the stage.  * And I'll close with her to
take away her range advantage.  My Capuara skills translate to the net,
so I can take her out hand to hand. *  Tina moved forward through the
fog.

Nene however was playing her game, not Tina's.  When the bolt landed
to close for comfort Nene responded with a new attack.  As the fog
started to clear Tina heard  "Mars Fire Ignite!!"  The fire ball smashed
into Tina's defences weakening her further.  Gamely the young mutant
continued to move forward, still thinking that closing with her opponent
was her best chance for victory.

Nene had come to the same conclusion, and she didn't want that.  Once
again her icon changed.  Now she had long blond hair and a orange
skirt.  "Venus Crescent Beam Smash!!"

Tina's icon was thrown back.  "I'm not giving up Nene!!" she shouted,
living up to her callsign.

Nene was not letting up the pressure.  the icon changed again now the
icon's hair was in two long ribbons and the skirt was blue.  Taking off the
headband  Nene called out again "Moon Tiara Magic!!"  The tiara
transformed into a disk and flew toward Tina.

Tina had just gotten to her feat when the disk struck her.  It was to much
for her system and she blacked out.

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

BTW, I could use the correct Japanese Attack names for Sailor Moon's first
seasons attacks.  Thanks

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